Trump’s Pledge to the Middle East: No More ‘Lectures on How to Live’

In a march near Gaza, hundreds of Israeli settlers sought to reclaim the territory, expressing a desire to return to the area evacuated in 2005. Despite Prime Minister Netanyahu's official stance against restoring settlements, some settlers believe a political opportunity exists, encouraged by hardline government members, with calls to "take back our land" echoing among participants. Want More Context? 🔎

The U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on over 115 Iran-linked individuals, entities, and vessels, primarily targeting the shipping interests of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of a key advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader. This significant action aims to disrupt a network profiting from oil trade and sanctions evasion, reinforcing the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, while not expected to disturb global oil markets. Want More Context? 🔎

Hezbollah leader refuses US calls for disarmamentNaim Qassem, Hezbollah's deputy leader, rejected US pressure to disarm the group, stating that demands to submit arms equate to submitting to Israel. In a televised address, he emphasized that Hezbollah would not surrender its weapons, framing their struggle as a duty that endures regardless of time. Want More Context? 🔎

Britain plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel improves conditions in Gaza and commits to a two-state solution, following France's similar announcement. The two-state solution, aimed at establishing Palestine alongside Israel, faces significant challenges, including expanding Israeli settlements and unresolved core issues from the 1947 UN partition plan and subsequent conflicts. Want More Context? 🔎

The anticipated ceasefire deal following the Israeli Defense Forces' successes has collapsed, with Iran reportedly instructing Hamas to resist negotiations instead of proceeding with a resolution. This development highlights Tehran's subtle but significant influence over the dynamics of the conflict in Gaza. Want More Context? 🔎

Gaza's civil defense agency reported that 14 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in incidents near aid distribution sites amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis, with over 60,000 deaths in Gaza since the conflict escalated after Hamas's October 2023 attack. While Israel confirmed firing near these sites, it disputed casualty figures, as media restrictions hinder independent verification. Want More Context? 🔎