Steve Witkoff
- RoutineIL17:59UTC14:59EST10:59
Unclaimed Airstrikes Hit Southern Iran as Israeli Drones Strike Lebanon, IDF Kills Hamas Commanders in Gaza (Jul 10, 1459 UTC, 1759 Israel) (Evening Edition)
Unclaimed airstrikes struck southern Iran, raising the possibility of Gulf state involvement, while Israeli drones targeted a vehicle in Kfar Rumman, southern Lebanon. The IDF announced the killing of three Hamas commanders in Gaza, including a Nukhba cell commander who participated in the October 7 attack. Israel reportedly warned the US of a new Iranian plot to assassinate President Trump. Palestinian legislative elections were announced, and four Arab Israelis were indicted for plotting a mass terror attack in Beersheba.
- RoutineIL09:20UTC06:20EST02:20
Khamenei Funeral Continues as Iran Defies US on Hormuz Fees; IDF Kills Hezbollah Operative in Lebanon (Jul 5, 0620 UTC, 0920 Israel) (Morning Edition)
Funeral ceremonies for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continued in Tehran for a second day, with massive crowds and chants of 'Death to America, Death to Israel.' An Iranian diplomat said Iran will 'definitely' collect transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, defying US demands. The IDF killed an armed Hezbollah operative in southern Lebanon after a manhunt. Satellite images revealed construction near Iran's Natanz nuclear site, in an apparent violation of a US-Iran MOU.
- RoutineIL18:56UTC15:56EST11:56
US-Iran Technical Talks Begin in Doha as Israel Vows to Stay in Lebanon (Jul 1, 1556 UTC, 1856 Israel) (Evening Edition)
US and Iranian negotiators opened technical talks in Doha to implement the bilateral MoU, while Israel signaled it will not withdraw from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi warned that any threat against Iran’s leadership would be met with an “immediate and decisive response.” In Gaza, Israeli strikes killed a Palestinian goalkeeper and injured civilians in Gaza City.
- RoutineIL09:33UTC06:33EST02:33
Trump Weighed Full Iran War, Opted for Diplomacy; Netanyahu Vows 'Total Victory' (Jul 1, 0633 UTC, 0933 Israel) (Morning Edition)
President Trump considered a return to full-scale war against Iran but ultimately chose diplomatic engagement, while Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that Israel's pursuit of 'total victory' against Iran and its proxies 'never ends.' In Lebanon, the IDF killed a Hezbollah operative near Manzleh, and Netanyahu visited southern Lebanon, vowing no withdrawal until Hezbollah is removed. The IDF also eliminated four Hamas operatives in Gaza and dismantled rocket-launching tunnel shafts. In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided and closed a Nablus charity, and a former detainee was abducted. A hijacking false alarm prompted IDF jets to scramble, and a 20-year-old was arrested for the murder of a rabbi in Netanya.
- RoutineIL18:56UTC15:56EST11:56
Smotrich Proposes Gaza Settlements as US-Iran Talks Stall; IDF Kills Hamas Commander (Jun 30, 1556 UTC, 1856 Israel) (Evening Edition)
Finance Minister Smotrich urged the establishment of three Israeli settlements in northern Gaza, while US-Iran indirect talks in Doha faced confusion over the format. The IDF killed a Hamas battalion commander in Rafah and a PIJ commander who held hostages. Iran prepared for Khamenei’s funeral with over 30 countries attending. The Iron Dome system was upgraded based on lessons from the Iran war.
- RoutineIL09:29UTC06:29EST02:29
Smotrich Proposes Gaza Settlements as US-Iran Talks Loom; Israel-Lebanon Security Annex Published (Jun 30, 0629 UTC, 0929 Israel) (Morning Edition)
Finance Minister Smotrich urged the establishment of three Israeli settlements in northern Gaza, while the US and Iran prepared for talks in Doha amid conflicting signals. The full security annex of the Israel-Lebanon deal was published, conditioning IDF withdrawal on Hezbollah disarmament. Iraq ordered pro-Iran militias to dissolve by September 30. The Knesset is expected to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
- RoutineIL19:21UTC16:21EST12:21
IDF Strikes Hezbollah Command Centers as US-Iran Talks Loom; Hamas Commander Killed (Jun 29, 1621 UTC, 1921 Israel) (Evening Edition)
The IDF struck three Hezbollah command centers in southern Lebanon overnight in response to continued attacks on Israeli forces, while Defense Minister Katz said Israel will not withdraw “a millimeter” until Hezbollah is disarmed. The US and Iran agreed to halt strikes and will hold talks in Doha on Tuesday, though Iran denied technical meetings are planned. Israel confirmed the killing of Hamas’s head of military security in Rafah last week, and an IDF assessment warned Hamas is preparing to resume fighting.
- PriorityIL10:27UTC07:27EST03:27
Israeli Strikes Kill Five in South Lebanon Despite Renewed Ceasefire as US-Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Switzerland (Jun 20, 0727 UTC, 1027 Israel) (Morning Edition)
Israeli airstrikes killed at least five people in southern Lebanon overnight, hours after a US-Qatar brokered ceasefire with Hezbollah was renewed. The strikes targeted multiple locations including Nabatieh and Arab Salim, drawing condemnation from Iran, which warned the US that continued Israeli operations could collapse broader diplomatic efforts. US envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Switzerland for nuclear talks with Iran, while Prime Minister Netanyahu faces reported tensions with President Trump over the Iran deal.
- RoutineIL19:43UTC16:43EST12:43
Israel Rejects US-Iran Deal, Vows to Stay in Lebanon as World Welcomes Accord (Jun 15, 1643 UTC, 1943 Israel) (Evening Edition)
Israel has publicly rejected the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, with Defense Minister Israel Katz declaring the IDF will remain indefinitely in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. The deal, set for formal signing on Friday in Switzerland, includes a comprehensive ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. International reactions have been largely positive, but Israel faces isolation as tensions with Washington escalate.
- PriorityIL09:34UTC06:34EST02:34
Two IDF Soldiers Killed in Lebanon as Hezbollah Rockets Target North and Pentagon Raises Israel Spy Threat (Jun 7, 0634 UTC, 0934 Israel) (Morning Edition)
Two IDF soldiers were killed in separate incidents in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah launched rockets at northern Israel for the first time since Wednesday. The Pentagon raised its counterintelligence threat assessment for Israel to the highest level. In the West Bank, a Palestinian car-ramming lightly injured a settler after settlers blocked a road and threw stones. France and allies are coordinating sanctions over settler violence.
- PriorityIL09:07UTC06:07EST02:07
IRGC Threatens US Bases Over Tanker Strikes as Lebanon Death Toll Rises (May 10, 0607 UTC, 0907 Israel) (Morning Edition)
The IRGC threatened to strike US bases in the region if Iranian tankers are attacked, a day after US strikes on two tankers. In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 36 people in the past day, while Hezbollah launched multiple drone attacks on Israeli forces. Qatar is mediating between the US and Iran, and reports reveal Israel built a secret base in Iraq to support its Iran campaign.