Settler Siege in Qusra Draws US Rebuke as IDF Chief Deploys Troops on Leave (Aug 13, 0619 UTC, 0919 Israel) (Morning Edition)

• Hormuz Standoff — Iran reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and will not reopen until its conditions are met, responding to President Trump's claim that the US has 'total control' over the waterway. The Iranian Strait of Hormuz Administration said the strait will not be reopened until Iran's conditions are accepted Times of IsraelBint Jbeil News. Mohsen Rezaei, the newly appointed secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, dismissed Trump's claim, saying the waterway will remain closed until the US accepts its demands and changes its 'behaviour' Al Jazeera.
• Diplomatic Condemnation — Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei condemned US threats and airstrikes against Iran's civilian infrastructure as 'clear war crimes,' warning that normalizing such 'unprecedented violations' of the Geneva Conventions would erode the international legal order IRNA.

• Katz Remarks Draw US Rebuke — Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israel would remain in southern Lebanon, drawing a sharp US rebuke. The Trump administration said Katz's comments 'fly in the face' of Jerusalem's assurances that it has no territorial ambitions in the country, and that the US expects all parties to act consistent with the framework they agreed to Times of IsraelYnetnews.
• Israeli Strikes and Destruction — Lebanese Prime Minister Salam condemned 'systematic' Israeli destruction in the south, saying Israeli 'attacks, incursions, demolitions and the systematic destruction of homes' represent a serious violation of international law Arab News. Israeli troops carried out detonations in southern Lebanon, with reports of an explosion in Hadatha and machine-gun fire directed toward al-Mansouri Bint Jbeil News. Al-Manar reported a new Israeli bombing between Al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun Al-Manar TV.
• Wildfire Allegations — Firefighters, residents and environmental groups accused Israel of deliberately starting wildfires across southern Lebanon through drones, flares and incendiary munitions. Lebanese civil defense officials said fires have affected vast areas near the frontline since the June ceasefire, with 30–40% of woodland in certain areas reportedly damaged. Environmental groups described the destruction as 'ecocide' Quds News Network.

• Hamas Commander Killed — The Israeli military said it struck and killed a Hamas commander in northern Gaza on Wednesday, the first Israeli airstrike in the territory in more than a week. The strike targeted a three-wheeled tuk-tuk transport vehicle near the Western Roundabout in Beit Lahiya, according to Gaza's civil defense agency, which reported one person killed and five wounded Times of IsraelAl JazeeraAssociated Press. The IDF chief gave the required approval for the strike under new Gaza restrictions Ynetnews.
• Health Crisis — A PressTV report highlighted the worsening health crisis in Gaza, focusing on kidney patients who depend on regular dialysis treatment. The report showed dialysis patients receiving treatment amid severe pressure on Gaza's healthcare system, with a nephrologist explaining the challenges facing dialysis centers as medical resources and essential supplies remain critically limited Quds News Network.

• Qusra Siege — Dozens of Israeli settlers besieged three Palestinian families in the West Bank village of Qusra, cutting off water, power and essential supplies. The settlers surrounded the homes and obstructed entrances with large stones, brazenly defying Israeli soldiers who have done little to intervene Al JazeeraTimes of Israel. A Palestinian American in Ohio watched via cameras as settlers besieged the home he had been building Times of Israel.
• US Intervention — US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Washington has been 'VERY involved' in efforts to end the siege, asserting that 'the IDF & Israel Police have gone at our request to remove the Israeli terrorists doing this' Times of IsraelN12 Chat. The White House said Israel must do more to prevent settler violence, with the US reportedly 'fuming' over the Israeli government's failure to crack down on rampant settler violence Jerusalem PostTimes of Israel.
• IDF Chief Deploys Troops — IDF Chief of Staff deployed troops on leave to the West Bank after settlers besieged the Palestinian-owned house in Qusra Haaretz. A senior Israeli security official warned the West Bank is a 'powder keg that could explode at any moment,' with some sources saying senior officers are reluctant to act against settlers for fear of harming their military careers Haaretz.
• Other Incidents — Israeli occupation forces stormed the town of Qusra with a military bulldozer Al-Manar TV. Settlers erected occupation flags along the bypass road north of Jenin Al-Manar TV. Israeli forces forcibly evicted three Palestinian families from their homes in Ya'bad, southwest of Jenin, and turned the building into a military post Al-Manar TV. Israeli forces abducted a Palestinian named Saddam Hussein Asasa while storming the Al-Zahra neighborhood in Jenin Quds News Network.
• UK Measures — The UK government is preparing a package of new measures on Israel and the occupied West Bank, expected to be announced in September. Proposals could include banning goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements, sanctions on settler-linked individuals and organizations, restrictions on companies involved with settlements, additional sanctions on Israeli ministers, and a potential ban on further UK arms exports to Israel Quds News Network.

• Syria Nuclear Material — Syria has reportedly agreed to turn over nuclear material — remnants of the Assad regime's clandestine nuclear program — to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under a US-brokered deal FDD.
• US Sanctions — The US sanctioned a Georgia-based cryptocurrency company for supporting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), even as Tbilisi seeks a reset in relations with Washington FDD.

• Polish Soccer Fans — Polish soccer fans performed a Nazi salute against Hapoel Tel Aviv, prompting outrage in Israel and expectations of severe punishment for the club Israel Hayom.
• Israeli Missing Persons in Austria — Israeli women missing in Austria had withdrawn a large sum of cash and left their apartment on Saturday; the investigation has been transferred to Israel's Lahav 433 unit Israel Hayom.

Colombia Earthquake — Search efforts in Colombia entered their 'final phase' as the earthquake toll reached 265. President de La Espriella promised to set up an emergency fund to help rebuild destroyed hospitals and schools Al Jazeera.

• Pakistan-Iran Cooperation — Pakistani Defense Minister called for strengthening bilateral cooperation with Iran, emphasizing the importance of fraternal relations between the two countries IRNA.
• Afghanistan Malnutrition — One in 10 children in Afghanistan are suffering from acute malnutrition as healthcare funding plummets, according to Save the Children Al Jazeera.

• Oman Oil Spill — Oman said an oil spill from a stricken tanker has reached its coast, with up to 40km of coastline affected by oil pollution, according to the Omani environmental authority Al Jazeera.
• Jordan — Jordan's King said the country will continue to confront any aggression, declaring 'there is no fear for the land of the brave' Bint Jbeil News.