Only two South Korean ships remain in Hormuz, says president All but two stranded South Korean ships have now exited the Strait of Hormuz, President Lee Jae-myung says. A total of 26 South Korean-linked vessels were stranded in the Strait when Iran closed the strategic waterway on February 28 in response to the US-Israeli assault. Nearly 11,000 sailors on board 600 vessels were left stranded during the war.
Israeli study flags Ukraine-style drone threat from Hezbollah Hezbollah's growing use of explosive drones could overwhelm Israel’s defence system unless it adopts fundamental changes to counter the threat, a study has warned. Citing the findings of the study, conducted by the Reichman University's Institute for Counter-Terrorism Policy, Al Jazeera reported that small, low-cost drones have become one of the most serious threats facing Israeli forces and civilians. It says their ability to fly at low altitude, operate in swarms and, in some cases, use fibre-optic guidance makes them difficult to detect, jam or intercept.
Violence continues in Gaza and West Bank, UN warns The situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank remains "volatile" despite a US-brokered ceasefire agreed to in October, according to Ramiz Alakbarov, the UN's deputy special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and resident and humanitarian coordinator. Addressing the UN Security Council, Alakbarov said the ceasefire must be respected and fully implemented to address the needs and aspirations of Gaza's population. He said that more than 1,000 people in Gaza had been killed since the agreement took effect, while violence in the occupied West Bank has intensified amid Israeli military raids and settler attacks.
Israeli court says comptroller overstepped authority in 7 Oct attack probes Israel's High Court of Justice has ruled that state comptroller Matanyahu Englman exceeded his authority in several probes into the failures leading to the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, barring him from completing and publishing his examinations of eight key issues. The Times of Israel reported that the court found Englman had no jurisdiction to investigate four areas: Israel's transfer of Qatari funds to Hamas before the attack, Gaza border defences, the conduct of intelligence agencies and government in response to information about a possible Hamas assault, and the response of the government, intelligence agency Shin Bet and the military during the attack. The court said the state comptroller's role is to review government actions against prevailing norms, not conduct investigations to establish the factual reality of events.
UN official condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza, occupied West Bank Ramiz Alakbarov, deputy special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank remains “volatile" and called on the US-brokered “ceasefire” in October to be respected. “The legitimate needs, concerns and aspirations of the people of Gaza must be addressed through the full implementation of [that resolution],” Alakbarov told the UN Security Council. “Instead, the situations in both Gaza and the West Bank have remained volatile.
In photos: Palestinians mourn their dead following Israeli attacks Mourners attend the funeral of 13-year-old Palestinian girl Alin Al-Farra, who was reportedly killed in an Israeli strike, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on 29 June 2026 (AFP) A man comforts a child du
Israeli strikes kill at least five people in Gaza on Monday Gaza health officials said Israeli strikes killed five people, including a child, in the Palestinian territory on Monday. "Three people were killed and several injured when an Israeli drone struck a group of civilians," Al-Aqsa Hospital said in a statement, adding that one of the victims was a child aged eight years old. Gaza's civil defence agency said the strike hit an area in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.
Lebanon state media says Israeli strike hits south Lebanese state media on Monday said an Israeli strike hit the country's south, despite a framework accord signed by the two countries last week aimed at securing a peace deal. "Israeli warplanes carried out a strike targeting the area between the southern Lebanese towns of Qantara and Deir Seryan," the National News Agency said.
France and Oman to cooperate with partners on de-mining Hormuz, Macron says France and Oman are working together to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and will cooperate with their partners on clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday. "We have decided to collaborate, in conjunction with our partners, on clearing mines from the Strait in order to secure maritime routes and guarantee free and unconditional passage through the Strait of Hormuz," Macron wrote on X after meeting with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al at the Elysee Palace. Heureux d’accueillir Sa Majesté Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan d’Oman, pour sa première visite officielle en France.
Lebanon president says determined to deploy army up to Israel border Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told the US Central Command chief on Monday that he was committed to extending the state's control through its military up to the border with Israel, where Hezbollah maintains a strong presence. He reaffirmed to Admiral Brad Cooper "the Lebanese state's determination to extend its authority, through its armed forces, to the southern border", the presidency said in a statement, adding that the pair discussed preparations for implementing a framework agreement between Lebanon, Israel and the US.
Shameful Israel-Lebanon 'agreement' evokes the Oslo disaster Submitted by Ussama Makdisi on Mon, 06/29/2026 - 15:22 The capitulation document signed in Washington gives Tel Aviv a green light to continue its occupation of Lebanese territory US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (centre of back row) looks on as Israeli, American and Lebanese officials sign a framework agreement in Washington, D. C. , 26 June 2026 (Saul Loeb/AFP) Off There was a 19th-century Orientalist traveller and diplomat by the name of David Urquhart, who said about (Mount) Lebanon that there “never was a country for which God has done so much, nor a people who could do less for themselves”.
Lebanon-Israel deal could block war crimes accountability, experts warn Submitted by Adam Chamseddine on Mon, 06/29/2026 - 10:56 Article 13 of the framework agreement commits both countries to cease all 'hostile or adverse actions' in international legal forums A woman fills a jerrycan with water as she sits among the rubble of a house, which was damaged by an Israeli strike, in Qlaileh in the Tyre district, southern Lebanon, 19 June 2026 (Reuters/Zohra Bensemra) Off A framework agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel has drawn warnings that a clause in the deal could effectively shield Israel from accountability for war crimes. Article 13 of the 14-point trilateral framework, signed on 26 June, commits Israel and Lebanon to "take good faith measures that demonstrate positive intent, including the cessation of all hostile or adverse actions in international political or legal fora. " The provision has raised alarm among Lebanese human rights and legal experts.
‘Like living in hell’: The Iran war leaves Indian seafarers dead and trapped at sea Bhargavi Suresh, 36, from Visakhapatnam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, spends hours sitting before a framed photograph of her husband, Patnala Suresh. She wipes the glass clean, kisses the picture, hugs it tightly and places it back on the table, only to reach for it again moments later. Looking at the photograph, she breaks down in tears.
Qatar condemns Israeli incursion in southern Syria Qatar condemned the Israeli incursion in Syria’s Quneitra and Deraa, as well as the artillery shelling by the Israeli army, calling it “a flagrant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and a blatant breach of international law,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday. Continuation of such attacks by Israel “would exacerbate tensions in the region and undermine efforts to promote security and stability,” it added. The ministry called on the international community to take responsibility to hold Israel accountable for its crimes.
Israeli strike in central Gaza kills three Palestinians, including a child At least three Palestinians, including a child, have been killed in an Israeli drone strike on a group of civilians in central Gaza on Monday. The strike on al-Baraka Street in Deir el-Balah also injured several Palestinians, who are being treated at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. An Israeli military source confirmed the attack.
Israel uproots hundreds of West Bank olive trees amid fears of wider destruction Submitted by Mohammed Turkman on Mon, 06/29/2026 - 08:05 Army expands large-scale razing near the separation wall, despite the olive harvest providing an economic lifeline for many communities Israeli forces bulldozed at least 500 olive trees in Zububa village near Jenin in the occupied West Bank, 28 June 2026 (Mohammed Turkman/MEE) Off Israeli forces bulldozed hundreds of olive trees in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, with dozens more dunams of agricultural land at risk of further destruction in the coming days. The large-scale operation took place in the village of Zububa, near Jenin, close to the separation wall that divides the occupied West Bank from Israel. According to Zaki Jaradat, head of the Zububa Village Council, at least 500 olive trees across 50 dunams of land were uprooted on Sunday, less than three months before the annual harvest.
Russia rejects Turkish ceasefire push in Ukraine ahead of Nato summit, sources say Submitted by Levent Kemal on Mon, 06/29/2026 - 09:01 Ankara had hoped a ceasefire could pave the way for Russia-Ukraine talks in Turkey during the July Nato summit, but Moscow remains firm on its Donbas demands Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan shake hands during a joint press conference following their talks in Moscow on 27 May 2025 (Pavel Bednyakov/AFP) Off Russia once again rejected a Turkish proposal to declare a ceasefire and open talks between Moscow and Ukraine earlier this month, several sources told Middle East Eye. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made the proposal to his Russian counterparts during his visit to Moscow on 16-17 June, Russian and Ukrainian sources with knowledge of the matter told MEE. “Fidan told his counterparts that there should be at least some broad idea of how to return to negotiations, and a window for a ceasefire,” one Russian source said.
Israeli cyber chief reports sharp rise in Iranian cyberattacks after war The number of Iranian cyberattacks against Israel has shot up since the launch of the U. S. -Israeli offensive against Iran this year, a senior Israeli security official was quoted as saying on Monday.
Residents return after Israeli forces withdraw from Syrian village Residents who fled their homes during Sunday's incursion began gradually returning by evening after Israeli troops pulled back from Tal al-Maghar hill, in Syria's western Deraa countryside, where they had remained for several hours, Al Jazeera reported. Israeli forces reportedly fired flares over the area overnight while reconnaissance aircraft continued to fly over the village of Abdeen. The development comes after Syria's foreign ministry condemned Israeli incursions and artillery shelling in Deraa and Quneitra, describing them as a "flagrant violation" of Syrian sovereignty.
New Jersey governor says Trump has not achieved Iran war aims New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has called on the Trump administration to explain what it has achieved through the war with Iran, arguing that the conflict's objectives have repeatedly shifted. "The administration's objectives have shifted repeatedly. The costs have soared.
