Israeli army extends compulsory military service by 4 months amid manpower shortage – Middle East Monitor

Sebastian Usher and Jessica RawnsleyBBC News, Jerusalem and LondonQatar's prime minister reported "a bit of progress" in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with Hamas now open to a deal involving hostages in exchange for a temporary truce. However, Israel remains firm on not withdrawing its forces from Gaza, where the death toll has surged to over 52,000 amid ongoing hostilities. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas criticized Hamas and expressed the PA's readiness to govern...

The United States has conducted over 800 air strikes in Yemen since mid-March, targeting Huthi rebel fighters and leadership as part of Operation "Rough Rider," aimed at enhancing maritime security and regional deterrence. Despite the campaign, Huthi attacks on US vessels and claims of solidarity with Palestinians have persisted, although their effectiveness has diminished, with a reported decrease in ballistic missile and drone attacks. Recent strikes on Sanaa resulted in casualties, and the US plans...

Israel launched an airstrike on a residential area in Dahiyeh, Beirut, despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah, leading to panic among residents who received evacuation warnings. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted Hezbollah missile storage sites, while Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun condemned the attacks as violations of sovereignty and called for international intervention. The ongoing strikes raise concerns about the fragile ceasefire agreement that followed over a year of conflict, with Hezbollah asserting compliance with...

SummaryIran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered a thorough investigation into a major explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, which resulted in at least 40 deaths and over 1,000 injuries. The incident, linked to a hazardous materials storage depot, prompted the closure of schools and offices in Bandar Abbas, while emergency responders received support, including from Russia. As condolences poured in from various nations, authorities declared a day of national mourning, with the blast occurring...

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly accused Israel's domestic security chief Ronen Bar of lying to the Supreme Court regarding Bar's ouster, which Netanyahu justified by citing a lack of trust. Bar alleged that Netanyahu's decision was based on personal loyalty rather than professional grounds, further claiming Netanyahu sought improper use of Shin Bet's powers amidst ongoing corruption trials against him. This legal battle reflects a broader crisis in Israel, highlighting tensions over governmental power dynamics...

Israel conducted its third airstrike on southern Beirut since the November 27 ceasefire, targeting a Hezbollah building allegedly storing precision-guided missiles. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack as a violation of the ceasefire and urged the U.S. and France to intervene. The UN's special coordinator for Lebanon expressed concerns over rising fears of renewed violence, while Israel vowed to prevent Hezbollah from using southern Beirut as a stronghold, despite the ceasefire agreements aimed at...