Israel Katz

President Trump used his UN General Assembly address to threaten Iran with annihilation while predicting a post-midterm deal, as reports emerged of a three-hour meeting between US officials and an Iranian delegation. Defense Minister Katz threatened to evacuate and destroy Gaza City if any Israeli is abducted, and Israeli artillery struck southern Lebanon amid ceasefire violations.

Dozens of Israeli settlers besieged three Palestinian families in the West Bank village of Qusra, cutting off water and power, prompting the IDF chief to deploy troops on leave and drawing sharp US criticism. The White House said Israel must do more to prevent settler violence, while US Ambassador Mike Huckabee said Washington was 'VERY involved' in efforts to end the siege. Separately, Israel struck a Hamas commander in northern Gaza in the first airstrike in over a week, and Defense Minister Israel Katz drew a US rebuke after saying Israel would remain in southern Lebanon.

President Trump warned that new talks are Iran's 'last chance' to avoid escalation, but Tehran denied any direct negotiations, stating it is only discussing a safe-passage mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz with Oman. The IRGC attacked a US military base in Kuwait with multiple drones, and a cargo vessel was struck by a projectile near the strait. The Board of Peace conditioned any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza on Hamas's complete disarmament, as the IDF killed two senior Hamas operatives in airstrikes. Defense Minister Katz reversed his on-air dismissal of the IDF West Bank chief after settler leader backlash.