Mecca Pact

Lebanon’s parliament voted to abolish the death penalty, becoming the first Arab state to do so. A Syrian court sentenced ousted President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for war crimes. Iran denied rumors about Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s health. Israeli artillery struck southern Lebanon, and the IDF reported targeting a Hamas sniper in Gaza. Former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen said Israeli spies toured Iran’s Fordow nuclear site many times.

Iran issued sweeping new conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including a full US military withdrawal and compensation, while the IRGC insisted the waterway’s status is separate from Oman-mediated talks. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a collective-defense pact in Mecca, with Turkey indicating Egypt may join. Mossad’s new chief dismissed two senior officials, drawing internal accusations of serving Netanyahu’s interests. Israeli forces conducted demolitions in southern Lebanon, and a fire at Saudi Arabia’s Jazan refinery was brought under control.

Three Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire north of Khan Younis, while Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief met Iraq’s prime minister in Baghdad. The IDF searched Kibbutz Zikim after a cut was found in the Gaza perimeter fence. In Lebanon, Israeli forces conducted demolitions in Mays al-Jabal amid ongoing ceasefire talks. The Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan defence pact signed in Mecca continued to draw analysis.