August 2026

Israeli settlers besieged three Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra for five nights, drawing sharp US criticism, while the UAE accused Iran of attacking two ADNOC tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli strikes killed a Hamas commander in Gaza City, and a British firm began containing a massive oil spill from a grounded Russian shadow fleet tanker off Oman.

An Israeli airstrike killed Gaza police chief Jamal Abu Kamil in Gaza City, the second strike in a day after a weeklong lull, while the settler siege of Qusra entered a fourth day with the UN human rights office calling it a new low. Iran's military rejected US claims of normal Hormuz transit, asserting no ship can pass without its authorization, as an oil spill from a tanker attacked near Qeshm Island reached Oman's coast.

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.

Houthi rebels killed six crew members and wounded ten in a double-tap missile strike on a cargo ship in the Bab al-Mandeb strait, marking the first fatal attack on shipping since the Iran war began. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council chief reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz will only fully reopen when the US accepts Tehran’s conditions, as Pakistan’s interior minister visited Tehran for mediation talks. The IDF condemned settler takeovers of Palestinian homes in the West Bank but did not evacuate them, while Israel and Venezuela agreed to renew consular ties after a 17-year break.

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.

President Trump demanded Iran pay compensation for Americans and protesters killed in the war, while dismissing Tehran’s own reparations demands. Colombia became the second country to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Drone attacks struck Libya’s Zawiya refinery for the third time in 48 hours, and the next round of Israel-Lebanon talks was set for early September.

Houthi forces launched ballistic missile and drone attacks on Yemen’s al-Makha port, killing at least seven and wounding 30, while the US signaled a shift toward economic pressure on Iran. Iran appointed IRGC veteran Mohsen Rezaei as Supreme National Security Council secretary, hardening its stance on Hormuz. Israel-Lebanon talks face a reported pause, with Hezbollah condemning an Israeli map it says exposes expansionist aims. In Gaza, Israel rejected a US-backed peace plan, and the Board of Peace envoy said Israel would only withdraw from areas declared free of weapons and tunnels.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally rejected the US-backed Board of Peace 15-point Gaza plan, vowing no IDF withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed. Iran ruled out resuming direct talks with the US, citing breaches of the Islamabad MoU, while Houthi forces claimed a drone attack on Saudi Aramco’s Jizan refinery. In southern Lebanon, the IDF demolished a Hezbollah tunnel shaft and uncovered weapons caches, and Israeli forces advanced into Daraa and Quneitra countryside in Syria.

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.

The UAE says Iran targeted an ADNOC tanker with a missile in the Strait of Hormuz, drawing Gulf condemnation. The IRGC says reopening the strait is contingent on US acceptance of Iranian conditions and is unrelated to ongoing Iran-Oman talks. Israeli forces advanced and shelled multiple towns in south Lebanon, and an IDF soldier was moderately wounded in an operational accident. Netanyahu seeks an additional $17 billion in military spending. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a collective defense pact.

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.

Lebanon and Israel reported positive progress on border demarcation and prisoner issues after the seventh round of talks, while agreeing on a shortlist of countries to verify Hezbollah disarmament. Houthi forces launched fresh attacks in Yemen's Marib and Hadramout, killing at least five, and threatened further escalation. A Hezbollah explosive drone struck near Israeli troops in southern Lebanon without causing casualties.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a collective defense pact in Mecca, while Iran and Oman finalized a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Houthi forces threatened a major military operation after killing 30+ Yemeni government troops. Israeli operations continued in southern Lebanon and Gaza, and a Hamas Nukhba operative was captured at Kerem Shalom.

A Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia’s Najran region wounded 11 civilians, including a child, as Riyadh warned of imminent coordinated strikes by Iranian-backed groups. Iran and Oman are finalizing a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though Tehran demands sanctions relief. An Israeli raid in the West Bank’s Qalandiya camp injured 51 Palestinians. Mossad chief Roman Gofman dismissed two senior officials after a failed operation targeting Iran’s regime.

Mossad chief Roman Gofman dismissed the heads of the Intelligence Directorate and Iran Division after a failed plan to topple Iran’s regime. Iran and Oman are finalizing a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though Iran is demanding sanctions relief in exchange for toll-free transit. Two IDF reservists were killed and four wounded by an IED in southern Lebanon, prompting Israeli strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure. In the West Bank, a settler was indicted for the killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen, and settlers attacked a community in Masafer Yatta, burning homes.

Two IDF reservists were killed and four seriously wounded by an IED in southern Lebanon, amid a surge in Israeli strikes and ceasefire violations. Iran and Oman are finalizing a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while shipping through the strait has collapsed to near zero. In the West Bank, armed settlers torched homes in Khirbet al-Tuba, injuring at least six Palestinians.

The IDF launched precise strikes in southern Lebanon after what it called a 'blatant violation' of the ceasefire by Hezbollah, issuing an evacuation warning for Al-Mansouri and hitting Tibnin, where one person was killed and 11 wounded. The US, Iran, and Oman are reportedly close to an interim deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with President Trump saying an announcement could come as early as Wednesday. Houthis claimed a missile strike on a Saudi oil tanker off Yanbu, and a vessel was reported sunk near Yemen's Al Mukha.

Qatar confirmed indirect US-Iran talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz are ongoing, with no direct negotiations planned. A cargo ship was struck by a projectile near the strait, and its crew abandoned the vessel with one person missing. Israel and Lebanon began a seventh round of US-brokered talks in Rome, focusing on pilot zones and cessation of hostilities. The Houthis claimed a drone strike on Saudi Arabia’s Najran airport. In Gaza, a mass funeral was held for 112 Palestinians recovered from rubble two years after an Israeli airstrike.

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.

President Trump claimed new talks with Iran would begin Monday, but Tehran denied any direct negotiations, stating it is only discussing a safe-passage mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz with Oman. The Knesset extended emergency IDF mobilization for two more months, while Israeli strikes killed at least 22 Palestinians in Gaza. Iran executed two men convicted of spying for Mossad.

President Trump announced he canceled a planned large-scale military strike on Iran, claiming parameters for a deal were reached and talks would resume Monday. Iran denied any agreement, calling Trump's claim a psychological operation. Gulf states reportedly urged de-escalation before the strike was called off. The IDF and Defense Minister Katz clashed publicly after Katz announced the replacement of the Central Command chief without coordination.

President Trump announced he canceled a planned military strike on Iran, claiming that parameters for a deal to end the war were reached. Iran denied any agreement, calling Trump's claim a psychological operation. The IDF killed three terrorists in Gaza who were advancing attacks on troops, and completed a brigade mission in southern Lebanon after dismantling over 1,200 Hezbollah sites. The Lebanese army walked back an accusation that Israel struck its soldiers, attributing injuries to a suspicious object.

President Trump announced he canceled a planned military strike on Iran, claiming that parameters for a deal to end the war were reached after conversations with Middle East allies. Iran denied requesting a halt, calling Trump's claim a lie. The IDF remained on high alert for possible US strikes, while Israeli strikes killed eight in Gaza despite a Hamas disarmament plan. US embassies issued alerts urging citizens to consider departing the region.

A senior US general has privately warned the Pentagon that he lacks sufficient naval forces to continue protecting Israel from ballistic missiles, as Iran threatens to turn the region into a 'Stone Age' if struck. Israeli strikes in Gaza destroyed a hospital medicine warehouse, and clashes in southern Lebanon wounded an IDF officer. The US Embassy in Israel advised Americans to consider leaving the region.

The US and Israel are reportedly preparing large-scale strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, with President Trump having authorized the operation, while Iran threatens to retaliate by targeting Israeli and US energy assets. In Gaza, Israeli strikes continue despite a Hamas disarmament agreement, and the UKMTO reports an incident northeast of Khasab, Oman.