Breaking news, history, and security updates from Israel and the Middle East.
Hamas has announced the appointment of Khalil al-Hayya as the terrorist organization's new political leader, succeeding Yahya Sinwar, who was eliminated by Israeli forces in Gaza in October 2024. Al-Hayya, a longtime Hamas official, has played a central role in the group's leadership, hostage negotiations, and ceasefire talks during the war.
Iran has announced the suspension of its military operation against Israel following a brief but significant exchange of missile fire. While President Donald Trump is pushing for a ceasefire and broader regional negotiations, Tehran's decision to stand down appears to reflect successful Israeli deterrence rather than a genuine change in policy.
Israeli company AIR said it has completed the maiden flight of its production-line AIR Cargo drone, a large electric logistics UAV designed for commercial and defense missions. The company said the platform can carry up to 250 kilograms and is moving toward first customer deliveries in 2026.
Master Sergeant (Res.) Haim Kalomiti, 55, from Tzur Natan, was murdered in a terrorist shooting spree near the Sharon-Samaria seamline. Five others were wounded, including a local security coordinator who was seriously injured.
President Donald Trump said the United States is prepared to work with Iran to remove and destroy its highly enriched uranium if a deal is reached, while warning that America will act militarily if Tehran refuses.
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.
Israel has disclosed that Shayetet 13 commandos carried out an unprecedented operation thousands of kilometers from home in an area where the unit had never previously operated. The announcement, made alongside new details on submarine deployments and naval strikes during the war, points to a major expansion in the Israeli Navy’s long-range role.
Israel reportedly sent an Iron Dome battery and IDF personnel to the United Arab Emirates in the opening phase of the war with Iran, marking the first known deployment of the system to another country during active combat. The reported move points to deepening military coordination between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi as Iranian missile and drone attacks expanded across the region.
Israel and the United States are set to begin formal talks next month on a new defense aid framework that would gradually reduce direct American military financing and move toward ending it by 2038. The emerging model is expected to cut annual weapons funding while expanding joint development of advanced defense systems.
The IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman issued a warning to residents of southern Lebanon not to approach the Litani River area, Wadi Salqani and Salouqi, and not to move south of the Yellow Line during the ceasefire period. The statement said Israeli forces remain deployed in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah activity and listed villages to which return is currently barred
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.
U.S. Central Command says the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) is operating in the Arabian Sea as U.S. forces enforce the naval blockade on ships attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports. CENTCOM says 21 vessels have complied with U.S. instructions to turn back and return to Iran since the blockade began.
Israeli special forces landed on the Christopheni Ridge in southern Lebanon minutes before the ceasefire came into force, in an operation approved by the IDF chief of staff. The military said troops are now established in the area and remain on immediate alert to remove threats between the border and the line defined under the ceasefire understandings.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Friday that Israeli forces will continue to hold every area cleared in southern Lebanon during the current ceasefire, while warning that key war objectives against Hezbollah remain unfinished. He said Israel is committed to disarming Hezbollah through military or diplomatic means and may resume operations if necessary.
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.
Israel says it struck Hezbollah command centers in Beirut’s southern suburbs after the Iran-backed terror group fired toward northern Israel, testing a fragile U.S.-supported ceasefire.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told JTBC that negotiations have reached broad agreement, but accused Israel of obstructing a deal as talks focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and regional stability.
US markets fell sharply as renewed fighting with Iran pushed oil prices higher, lifted bond yields, and raised fears that inflation could force the Federal Reserve back into rate hikes.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Iran of using Lebanon in its fight with Israel and the United States, while calling for direct talks with Israel and pushing for Hezbollah’s disarmament.
Iran’s national soccer team has traveled to Mexico for its World Cup camp as a dispute grows over U.S. visas reportedly denied to several staff members.
The Trump administration is reportedly looking at using frozen Iranian funds to compensate Gulf allies hit by Iranian drone and missile attacks.
US forces intercepted two Iranian attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz after CENTCOM said they threatened international maritime traffic.
Israeli forces eliminated senior members of Hamas’ General Security Apparatus, a key body responsible for protecting Hamas leaders and supporting the terror group’s internal operations.
IDF and Border Police forces were dispatched earlier today to several locations near Huwara in Judea and Samaria after a report of suspected livestock theft involving animals belonging to Israeli civilians.
Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Ministry says European crowdfunding campaigns raised millions of dollars for Gaza-based entities with direct or indirect links to Hamas and other terror groups.
A senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader says nuclear talks with the US are stalled and demanded the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets as a condition for progress. He rejected a Trump-Khamenei summit and warned Iran could expand attacks if war resumes.
Pakistan’s interior minister is heading to Iran with new proposals aimed at keeping US-Iran talks alive and preventing the conflict from reigniting.
Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin argues that American oil and gas companies are among the biggest beneficiaries of the current Iran-related conflict, as higher crude prices boost profits and strengthen demand for U.S. energy exports. While the U.S. economy appears resilient enough to absorb some inflation pressure in the short term, history shows that prolonged energy crises can eventually hurt both consumers and the energy industry itself.
President Donald Trump has reportedly warned that ongoing negotiations with Iran will not continue indefinitely, with his 60-day deadline for talks approaching. While some progress has reportedly been made regarding Iran’s frozen assets, key disputes remain unresolved.
Iran has openly voiced support for Hezbollah after the terror group's rejection of a proposed ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. The dispute has increased tensions in the region, with both sides resuming military operations and Iranian officials reaffirming their alliance with Hezbollah.
U.S. Central Command says American forces intercepted Iranian missiles and drones aimed toward Gulf targets and maritime traffic, then struck Iranian radar sites used to threaten the region.
