Israel
🇱🇧 Hezbollah’s new leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, asserted that only military action—not diplomacy—would end the conflict with Israel, though he opened a path for indirect talks via the Lebanese state if Israel ceases its attacks.
🇮🇱🇸🇾 Israel launched an airstrike targeting Hezbollah intelligence assets near Damascus, claiming it hit key infrastructure used by Hezbollah’s network in Syria. Syrian officials, however, stated that the strike damaged civilian sites south of Damascus.
🇺🇸🇸🇦 The U.S. and Saudi Arabia are in talks for a security agreement without involving Israel, aiming to finalize it before President Biden’s term ends, Axios reports. Unlike a full defense treaty, this deal shows the shifting dynamics in U.S.-Saudi relations.
🇮🇱 Israel claims successful strike on Hezbollah rocket commander Jaafar Faour in southern Lebanon, alleging he orchestrated multiple attacks since October. Armed group remains silent on commander’s reported death as cross-border tensions escalate.
🇱🇧 Israeli commandos raid Lebanon’s Batroun, capturing alleged senior Hezbollah operative in dramatic pre-dawn operation. PM Mikati demands UN action as CCTV footage shows armed forces leading away Lebanese citizen Imad Amhaz.
🇱🇧 Hezbollah rockets strike central Israel, wounding 11, as cross-border violence intensifies. Lebanon reports 52 dead from Israeli strikes in Baalbek region, while ceasefire hopes fade despite US diplomatic push in escalating conflict.
🇮🇱 Israeli airstrikes pound Gaza, killing 31 Palestinians including children, as WHO pleads for ceasefire after attack near hospital. Netanyahu rejects temporary truce deals, insisting war continues until Hamas is eliminated - while civilians bear devastating toll.
🇮🇱 Israel’s cabinet votes on tough 2025 wartime budget with 40B shekel cuts and tax hikes, as war costs soar and economy stalls. VAT rises to 18%, military gets 102B shekels, and deficit target drops to 4% of GDP from 8.5%.
🇮🇶 Iraq’s parliament elects Sunni lawmaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani as speaker with overwhelming 182 votes - appointment comes amid regional firestorm with Iran reportedly preparing strikes against Israel from Iraqi territory.
🇮🇷 Israeli intelligence warns Iran plans imminent drone and missile attack from Iraqi territory, possibly before US election - move could be Tehran’s strategy to avoid direct strikes on Iran after recent Israeli retaliation.
🇵🇸 Israeli strikes kill 39 Palestinians in Gaza, including attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital’s medical supplies - Israel claims militants hiding inside, while Hamas denies; MSF doctor detained amid escalating humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza.
🇱🇧 Lebanon’s PM reveals potential breakthrough: Israel and Lebanon could strike a 60-day ceasefire deal within days, featuring Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes on historic Baalbek kill 19 as conflict intensifies in the north.
🇹🇷 Erdogan unveils ambitious “Steel Dome” defense plan to rival Israel’s Iron Dome, vowing military independence despite US sanctions. Announcement comes after Kurdish militant attack on key aerospace facility last week.
🇵🇸 Hamas signals openness to Gaza war-ending deal, demands complete Israeli withdrawal and permanent ceasefire. Qatar races against US election deadline for breakthrough, as Netanyahu remains firm on Hamas eradication goal.
🇮🇱 IDF confirms deaths of five soldiers: four killed in northern Gaza combat with one officer severely wounded, plus one fatality from Lebanon border fighting. Total Israeli military deaths since October 2023 now stands at 777.
🇱🇧 Hezbollah appoints Naim Qassem as new leader after Israel killed Hassan Nasrallah last month. Israel’s defense minister issues ominous warning on X: “Temporary appointment. Not for long.” Qassem, 71, has been deputy chief since 1991.
🇮🇱 Israeli airstrike obliterates residential block in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahiya, killing at least 93 Palestinians including 20 children. US calls it “horrifying” as rescue teams struggle to reach victims trapped under rubble. Healthcare system in north Gaza has completely collapsed.
🇪🇬 Egypt proposes bold two-day ceasefire plan in Gaza: 4 Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, as death toll nears 43,000. CIA & Mossad chiefs meet in Qatar while Israel’s offensive intensifies, killing 45 Palestinians in latest strikes.
🇮🇱 Israeli airstrikes demolish Iran’s critical missile production facilities and former nuclear weapons test site near Tehran, destroying hard-to-replace equipment and crippling Iran’s ability to mass-produce missiles for future attacks.
🇮🇱 Israel blasts Lebanon’s major city Sidon with lethal strike, killing 5 civilians and wounding 13 more - an expansion of warfare that pushes the already inflamed Middle East closer to full-scale regional war.