Latest Israel and regional Middle East headlines, analysis, and developing coverage.
The IDF said soldiers operating near Saluki in southern Lebanon identified two terrorists who crossed the Forward Defense Line and advanced toward Israeli forces, creating an immediate threat. The military said the Israeli Air Force struck and eliminated the suspects, while troops continued dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure in the area.
The IDF said more than 150 Hezbollah terrorists were eliminated and around 300 military targets were struck across Lebanon in the 24 hours before the ceasefire took effect. The military added that more than 1,800 Hezbollah terrorists have been eliminated in Lebanon since the start of Operation Roar of the Lion.
Israel is preparing to resume intense combat throughout Gaza at the start of next month after Hamas reaffirmed its refusal to demilitarize the Strip and disarm, according to a report by Channel 14’s Hallel Bitton Rosen.
Argentine President Javier Milei and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of the Isaac Accords, a new strategic framework aimed at deepening cooperation between Argentina, Israel, and like-minded partners in the Western Hemisphere. The initiative is focused on defending freedom and democracy while strengthening coordination against terrorism, antisemitism, and drug trafficking.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised President Donald Trump as a transformative world leader and said the two speak almost daily, while also highlighting a breakthrough on direct flights between Israel and Argentina. Netanyahu framed the aviation move as part of a broader push to slash red tape and accelerate major government decisions
U.S. Central Command announced that American forces disabled and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo vessel M/V Touska after it allegedly violated the U.S. naval blockade and ignored repeated warnings over six hours. According to CENTCOM, USS Spruance fired into the ship’s engine room before U.S. Marines boarded the vessel and took custody.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. Navy intercepted and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly ignored warnings to stop. Trump claimed the vessel was disabled after a strike on its engine room and is now in U.S. custody.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent condolences to the family of Warrant Officer (Res.) Barak Kalfon and said Israeli forces will continue operating in the security zone in southern Lebanon to thwart threats against troops and border communities, in line with the ceasefire agreement.
The IDF said terrorists in southern Lebanon were struck over the past day after approaching Israeli forces near the Yellow Line in violation of the ceasefire understandings and posing an immediate threat. The military said it also carried out artillery fire in support of ground troops and destroyed terror infrastructure in the area.
Roughly 20 vessels attempting to transit the Srait of Hormuz turned back after the latest escalation around the strategic waterway. Reports also said at least two ships came under fire and armed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels approached several ships in the area.
The IDF and Defense Ministry are preparing to procure 12,000 Israeli-made FPV assault drones in a new tender aimed at adapting to the rapid expansion of drone warfare against Hamas and Hezbollah. The move reflects growing concern over the battlefield impact of low-cost attack drones and the need for a more secure domestic supply chain.
Iran said Saturday it is restoring tighter control over transit through the Strait of Hormuz, blaming a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and casting doubt on claims of a wider breakthrough. The move came just hours after a rare convoy of tankers passed through the strategic waterway.
IDF, ISA raid home of Negohot terrorist and seize weapons after infiltration attack", "summary": "IDF troops, acting under ISA direction, raided the home of the terrorist who infiltrated Negohot and was eliminated.
IWI US has launched the ARAD 5 in the American civilian market, introducing a rifle originally developed for Israeli security forces.
Palestinian Terrorist Infiltrates Negohot in Mount Hebron Overnight, Eliminated Within Minutes; No Injuries", "summary": "A terrorist infiltrated the community of Negohot in the Mount Hebron region after climbing over the community gate.
President Trump said the U.S. may refuse to extend the ceasefire if Iran does not reach an agreement by Wednesday, warning that Washington could resume strikes while keeping its blockade on Iranian ports in place. Speaking on Air Force One and later at an event in Phoenix, Trump claimed talks are continuing and said he believes a deal is still possible. He also said the U.S. would work with Iran to remove enriched uranium and bring it to the United States, but Iranian officials publicly denied any plan to transfer enriched uranium abroad and demanded compensation for damage. Trump said his partnership with Prime Minister Netanyahu remains strong, and described Lebanon as separate from the Iran ceasefire.
Canada’s Coast Guard is set to begin routine test flights this summer of the Hermes 900 Starliner UAV made by Israel’s Elbit Systems. The drone was originally acquired by Canada’s Transport Ministry in 2020 and was recently transferred to the Coast Guard as part of a government restructuring under Prime Minister Mark Carney aimed at consolidating surveillance assets and helping meet NATO spending targets.
Israel-based ParaZero has received a new follow-on order from an unnamed defense customer for its DefendAir counter-drone system, as demand rises for non-kinetic air defense tools. The company said the purchase includes personal net launchers, deployable net pods, and a training package combining live exercises and simulation.
A synagogue in North Macedonia was damaged in an arson attack, in what has been described as the country’s first antisemitic incident of its kind since the Holocaust. The attack has raised alarm over the security of Jewish sites in a country with a small but historically significant Jewish community.
An Israeli soldier was seriously wounded and four others were lightly wounded earlier on Wednesday in rocket fire in southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli military.
US President Donald Trump said that the war in Iran should be nearing an end, while insisting Washington acted to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He also said Iran is showing greater willingness to negotiate and indicated another round of talks could take place over the weekend.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun defended direct talks with Israel in a national address delivered a day after the ceasefire took effect, saying Lebanon had regained independent decision-making. He said negotiations were aimed at securing permanent arrangements without compromising sovereignty or territorial unity.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has begun receiving approaches from Lebanon for direct peace talks for the first time in more than 40 years. He said Israel agreed only to a temporary 10-day ceasefire while maintaining a widened security buffer inside Lebanon and insisting on Hezbollah’s disarmament.
U.S. Central Command said the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta redirected a merchant vessel back to an Iranian port on April 17 as part of what it described as an ongoing U.S. blockade. CENTCOM said 19 ships have complied so far and that none have broken through.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry publicly congratulated U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee on completing his first year in office, praising his role in deepening bilateral ties during a turbulent period. Huckabee said the year included "5 wars, hostage release, peace agreements and never a dull moment."
The IDF said nationwide civilian defense guidelines will shift to full activity with no restrictions from Friday afternoon, with limited gathering caps remaining only in frontline areas until Saturday evening. Ministers said sports and cultural events will return at full capacity, and several municipalities confirmed Memorial Day and Independence Day events will go ahead as planned.
Three senior ministers said Israel’s emerging arrangement on Lebanon marks a coordinated strategic shift with the Trump administration, while insisting the IDF will not withdraw from areas it captured in southern Lebanon. Speaking at a Likud conference in Beit El, the ministers said any long-term framework must include pushing Hezbollah out and securing northern Israel.
The Israeli military said it has used its advanced Ro’em artillery battery in operations against Hezbollah targets for the first time. The system is designed to improve rate of fire, precision and mobility while reducing physical strain on crews.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will continue until an agreement is reached with Iran. He also said Iran’s enriched uranium would be removed and placed under U.S. custody.
US President Donald Trump said he plans to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House for what he described as the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983. Trump also said the two sides had agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire and that senior US officials would work with both governments toward a broader peace arrangement.
