Israeli army detonates large explosion in southern Lebanon The Israeli army has detonated a large explosion near the town of Rashaf, in southern Lebanon's Bint Jbeil district, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. NNA also reported a bombing in Beit Yahoun, also located in Bint Jbeil.
Crew member missing after US naval helicopter conducts emergency landing in Arabian Sea A Sea Hawk helicopter conducted an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea this morning, the US Fifth Fleet said on Wednesday in a statement on X. Three of the helicopter’s crew are in stable condition, while a search commences for the fourth. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation, but “there is no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action”, the statement added.
UNIFIL says peacekeepers facing ‘restrictions on freedom of movement’ in Lebanon The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Wednesday that its peacekeepers remain monitoring on the ground in Lebanon, but have been impeded by obstacles to their freedom of movement. In a statement to Telegram, UNIFIL said that the peacekeepers’ mission has been restricted by “blocked routes to barriers, debris, and other obstacles temporarily [stopping] essential patrols and safety operations.
Israeli strikes kill at least three in Gaza city Wafa news agency reported two Israeli strikes that have left at least three dead and several critically injured in northern Gaza City on Wednesday. An Israeli combat drone struck near al-Helou Feil Station, killing three people, according to local sources. Several Palestinians were wounded in an earlier Israeli drone strike targeting a group of people near Dar Al-Arqam School in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood.
Israel says troops will remain in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza ‘until further notice’ Defence Minister Israel Katz said that the Israeli army will continue to occupy areas in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza “until further notice” in a statement from the defence ministry released on Wednesday. Katz claimed Israeli forces have established so-called “security zones” which are designed “to protect Israel’s residents and communities from jihadist terrorists. ” He has not offered any timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops, including in Lebanon, which Hezbollah has said is paramount for any peace deal between the countries and cannot be reliant on the Lebanese group's disarmament.
Lebanon death toll from Israeli attacks reaches 4,297 At least 4,297 people have been killed and another 12,196 wounded in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since 2 March, the country's health ministry is reporting.
Israeli press review: Netanyahu says wars will never end Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Wed, 07/01/2026 - 14:53 Meanwhile, one poll finds that Israeli students are now more racist, while another finds that large numbers of children have PTSD Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the funeral of Gal Meir Eisenkot, on 24 June 2026 (Reuters) Off Israel's wars will never end, says Netanyahu Israel 's wars across the Middle East will never end, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Channel 14 News on Tuesday. In a rare and lengthy interview with a channel that is widely seen in Israel as his mouthpiece, Netanyahu responded to a question about whether Israel’s wars in the region are concluding by indicating that military operations will continue. “We have achieved tremendous accomplishments,” the Israeli prime minister said, citing the assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders and the occupation of parts of Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
Israeli drone strike targets civilians in Gaza City Several Palestinians have been wounded in an Israeli drone strike on Gaza City, Wafa news agency is reporting, citing medical sources. According to the sources, the attack targeted a group of civilians near Dar Al-Arqam School in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, northwest of the city. Some of the victims are reported to be critically wounded.
‘Board of Peace’ to launch ‘Hamas-free’ camps as Israel tightens grip on Gaza Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 07/01/2026 - 11:29 Israel Hayom reports the pilot site is set to be Tel Sultan, near Rafah, where civilians 'with no weapons or affiliation with Hamas' will be policed by a multinational force A crane hoists a vehicle at the Logistics Support Area, in a location given as near the Kerem Abu Salem crossing, in this handout picture released 30 June (Board of Peace/Reuters) Off US President Donald Trump’s so-called Board of Peace is set to launch “Hamas-free humanitarian zones” in Gaza where Palestinians will be herded while the Israeli military expands its control on the rest of the territory, Israeli media is reporting. Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported that the first site will open in Tel Sultan, near Rafah, “within weeks”, and house civilians “with no weapons or affiliation with Hamas”. It added that the zone will be policed by a “multinational force”, known as the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), which will be equipped with “non-lethal weapons” and operate from the Israeli Amitai Camp near Gaza under the command of the board.
Israel threatens third attack on Iran despite diplomacy Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says Israel could attack Iran again “if it deems it necessary”, despite continuing US efforts to pursue diplomacy. Speaking at a memorial ceremony for those killed in the 2006 war in Lebanon, Katz said: “We have attacked twice with proactive, preemptive strikes in Iran and, if necessary, we will strike a third time as well. ” Katz also said Israeli forces would indefinitely occupy Lebanon, Syria and Gaza.
Israeli settler group calls for seizing crops in occupied Syrian land Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Wed, 07/01/2026 - 10:15 Capture of territory in Quneitra and Daraa has prompted settler calls for exploitation of Syrian land United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) forces patrolling in the village of Abidin in Syria's southwestern Daraa province on 29 June (AFP) Off An Israeli settler group has called for the cultivation and sale of crops from occupied Syrian land. The Pioneers of Bashan, a group that advocates Israeli settlement in Syria, called for the exploitation of territory captured by Israel in the governorates of Daraa and Quneitra. "In the small Quneitra District alone, about 2,000 tons of wheat were harvested this year!
Airlines told to avoid Iraq and Lebanon airspace The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has warned airlines against using flight routes over Iraq and Lebanon, citing uncertainty over the US-Iran ceasefire and the risk of rapid escalation. EASA urged commercial airlines to remain cautious when flying across the Middle East. The agency said it had extended its conflict-zone advisory for the region until July 8, after previously keeping the warning in place until 1 July.
Former Israeli general says Gaza war could have ended earlier A former head of the Israeli army’s Hostages and Missing Persons Command says Israel prolonged the war on Gaza unnecessarily and could have brought some captives home alive through earlier negotiations. Major General Nitzan Alon said that after 7 October , Israel “conducted a long war that could have ended at least a year earlier,” adding that some captives could have “been returned alive. ” “Strategically, we could have achieved the same results or avoided failing to achieve those we did not achieve – such as disarming Hamas, and so on.
Israeli minister vows ‘100 percent’ control over Gaza Israel’s energy and infrastructure minister says Israel will continue expanding its control over the Gaza Strip until it reaches “100 percent”. Speaking to Galei Israel radio, Eli Cohen said Israel could not allow Hamas “to raise its head even by a millimetre”. Cohen said Israel controlled 53 percent of Gaza two months ago, about 60 percent one month ago and “close to 70 percent” today.
UN says one million remain displaced in Lebanon by Israel's war on country The UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon says about one million people remain displaced by Israel’s war on the country, which has continued since March. Speaking at a seminar in Beirut on Tuesday, Imran Riza said 1. 4 million people in Lebanon now need humanitarian assistance.
Trump administration yet to accept Iran school strike findings The Trump administration has not accepted direct responsibility for a strike on a school in Iran, The Associated Press reports. AP, citing a US official familiar with the matter, said Washington has also not formally accepted the findings of a Pentagon investigation into the bombing. The official said the US military has evidence showing that the school site was hit.
Netanyahu says Gaza ethnic cleansing remains on agenda Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended his record in an interview with the right-wing Channel 14 broadcaster as he prepares for elections later this year. Netanyahu was pressed on two issues that The Jerusalem Post described as “central to the right flank of his co-alition”: the expulsion of two million Palestinians from Gaza and the establishment of illegal Jewish settlements in the enclave. Asked about the first issue, Netanyahu said “voluntary emigration” remained on the agenda.
US lawmakers push bill to halt $3. 3bn in military aid to Israel Palestinian-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib says she will support a bill seeking to block about $3. 3bn in US military aid to Israel, before a vote expected later this week.
Israel's 'kill first' strategy is now aimed at Turkey. Will the region respond? he US administration has signed two mutually contradictory deals to end its war on Iran .
Iran says it is pursuing diplomacy but remains ready for war Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf says Tehran is prioritising diplomacy with the US, but remains prepared for war. "We are pursuing dialogue, but if the dialogue is not implemented, we are also prepared for war and will respond accordingly," Qalibaf said in an interview on state television. His comments came as Iranian and US delegations were due to hold separate discussions in Doha.
