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The European Union is seeking updates from Israel regarding the implementation of a new humanitarian aid agreement for Gaza, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday. Foreign ministers from the EU’s 27 member states met in Brussels following a deal largely brokered by Kallas and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Saar met with EU leaders on Monday after agreeing last week to allow critically needed food and fuel into the war-torn enclave of 2.3 million people. “We have reached a common understanding with Israel to really improve the situation on the ground, but it’s not about the paper, but actually implementation of the paper," Kallas said ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting. “As long as it hasn’t really improved, then we haven’t all done enough,” she added, while urging a ceasefire. EU delays retaliatory tariffs on US goods, aims for deal by August 1 Though full details of the agreement remain undisclosed, EU officials rejected cooperation with the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund, citing ethical and safety concerns. Instead, they emphasized the need to open more border crossings and allow greater aid flow. Plans are underway to potentially establish a monitoring station at the Kerem Shalom crossing. The ministers also discussed Iran’s nuclear program, developments in Georgia and Moldova, and the EU’s upcoming 18th sanctions package on Russia. Tensions remain over oil price caps meant to reduce Moscow’s energy revenue. Amid rising public pressure over Israel’s actions in Gaza, several member states, including Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain, have urged a reassessment of EU-Israel relations. A European Commission report cited “indications” of Israeli human rights violations. “The humanitarian deal announced last week shows that the Association Agreement review and use of EU leverage has worked," said one European diplomat.

Israel on Monday struck military tanks in southern Syria, where deadly clashes have erupted between Syrian government forces, Bedouin tribes, and Druze militias. Fighting in Syria’s Sweida province has left dozens dead. Syria’s Interior Ministry reported over 30 deaths and nearly 100 injuries, while the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the toll at at least 89, including children, women, and security personnel. Clashes reportedly began after Bedouin tribesmen kidnapped and robbed a young Druze man at an illegal checkpoint, triggering retaliatory attacks. Some government forces were said to support Bedouin fighters, escalating tensions with Druze groups. Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba said forces entered Sweida early Monday to restore order. “Some clashes occurred with outlawed armed groups, but our forces are doing their best to prevent any civilian casualties,” he told state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV. UN Deputy Special Envoy Najat Rochdi voiced “deep concern” and urged all parties to protect civilians and engage in meaningful dialogue. 59 Palestinians killed in Gaza by Israeli fire and airstrikes Israel, which sees the Druze as a loyal minority, has previously intervened on their behalf. In May, it struck near the presidential palace in Damascus following deadly clashes involving Druze fighters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz then stated Israel “will not allow the deployment of (Syrian government) forces south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community.” Meanwhile, a group led by Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri accused Syrian forces of supporting extremist Sunni militants and called for international protection. Syria’s Foreign Ministry urged countries to respect its sovereignty and cease support for separatist groups, warning of attempts to destabilize its social fabric.

At least 59 Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Saturday, including 31 who were shot dead while heading to an aid distribution site and 28 others in Israeli airstrikes, according to hospital officials and witnesses. The shootings occurred near Rafah as people approached a site run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The Red Cross reported its largest influx of casualties in over a year, with most injuries caused by gunfire. Israel’s military said it fired warning shots at people behaving suspiciously but claimed it was unaware of any casualties. The GHF denied any incident occurred near its locations. Among the victims was 17-year-old Nasir al-Sha’er, whose mother said he went to get flour for his family. Witnesses said Israeli forces had ordered them to proceed to the site before opening fire. 28 Palestinians including children killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza Israeli airstrikes killed 13 people, including four children, in Deir al-Balah and 15 in Khan Younis, officials said. Strikes also hit Beit Hanoun in the north. Gaza’s 21-month war has left much of the population dependent on aid. Israel restricted aid after ending the latest ceasefire in March. The UN said only 150,000 liters of fuel entered Gaza this week after 130 days—far below needs. Since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 in Israel, over 57,800 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. In the West Bank, Palestinian-American Seifeddin Musalat was reportedly beaten to death by Israeli settlers. His family has urged a U.S. investigation.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that Tehran is open to resuming nuclear talks with the United States — but only if firm assurances are given that no further attacks will be carried out against the country. Speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran, Araghchi stated, “Iran has always been ready and will be ready in the future for talks about its nuclear program,” but emphasized that “assurance should be provided that in case of a resumption of talks; the trend will not lead to war.” The comments come amid heightened tensions following a 12-day Israeli bombardment of Iran’s nuclear and military sites, and a U.S. airstrike on June 22. Referring to these incidents, Araghchi warned that “if the U.S. and others wish to resume talks with Iran, first of all, there should be a firm guarantee that such actions will not be repeated. The attack on Iran's nuclear facilities has made it more difficult and complicated to achieve a solution based on negotiations.” In response to the strikes, Iran suspended its cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, prompting inspectors to leave the country. Araghchi noted that under Iranian law, future cooperation would be considered “case by case,” based on national interests. Iran’s missile strike in Qatar damaged US communications dome, satellite images show He added that inspections must respect Iran's “security” concerns and the safety of international inspectors, citing risks from radioactive materials and unexploded ordnance at bombed sites. Araghchi also reaffirmed Iran’s stance on enriching uranium within its own territory — a position rejected by U.S. President Donald Trump. Israel has justified its actions by claiming Iran was nearing the capability to produce a nuclear weapon. However, U.S. intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency assess that Iran halted an organized nuclear weapons program in 2003, though the country has been enriching uranium to 60% — close to the 90% weapons-grade level. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in an interview published Monday that the U.S. airstrikes caused such extensive damage that Iranian authorities have still been unable to access the impacted nuclear sites to fully assess the destruction.

At least 28 Palestinians, including four children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, hospital officials reported Saturday. Thirteen of the victims, including the children and two women, died in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza after heavy bombardment began late Friday, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Four more were killed in an attack near a fuel station, while another 15 people lost their lives in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, Nasser Hospital said. The Israeli military said its forces had struck around 250 targets across Gaza in the past 48 hours, targeting militants, weapons depots, tunnels, booby-trapped structures, and other Hamas infrastructure. The military did not comment on civilian casualties despite requests from the Associated Press. The ongoing conflict began after Hamas-led fighters killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and took 251 hostages during their October 7, 2023, assault. Around 50 hostages remain in captivity, fewer than half of whom are believed to be alive. 5 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza while strikes kill 51 Palestinians Israel’s military campaign has since claimed the lives of over 57,000 Palestinians, with more than half reported to be women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. While the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, its figures are widely regarded by the U.N. and other international agencies as the most reliable. U.S. President Donald Trump has said efforts are underway to secure a new ceasefire that could lead to more hostage releases and potentially bring the war to an end. However, his recent meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended without significant progress.    

Five Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack in the northern Gaza Strip, Israel's military said Tuesday, while health officials in the Palestinian territory said 51 people were killed in Israeli strikes. The bloodshed came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting the White House for talks with US President Donald Trump about a ceasefire plan to pause the Gaza fighting. While there was no announcement of a breakthrough, there were signs of progress toward a deal. According to AP, the soldiers' deaths could add to pressure on Netanyahu to strike a deal, as polls in Israel have shown widespread support for ending the 21-month war. A senior Israeli official said 80-90% of the details had been ironed out and a final agreement could be days away. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorised to discuss the sensitive negotiations with the media. Soldiers attacked with explosive devices The soldiers were killed roughly two weeks after Israel reported one of its deadliest days in months in Gaza, when seven soldiers were killed after a Palestinian attached a bomb to their armoured vehicle. An Israeli security official said explosive devices were detonated against the five soldiers during an operation in the Beit Hanoun area in northern Gaza, an area where Israel has repeatedly fought regrouping militants. Houthi rebels attack Red Sea ship after claiming to sink another The military said 14 soldiers were wounded in the attack, two of them seriously. It brings the toll of soldiers killed to 888 since Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack. Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing, said on social media that the attack was an “additional blow” against what he described as a “weak” army. In a statement, Netanyahu sent condolences, saying the soldiers fell “in a campaign to defeat Hamas and to free all of our hostages.” On the other hand, health officials at Nasser Hospital, where victims of the Israeli strikes were taken, said one strike targeted tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, killing four people. A separate strike in Khan Younis killed four people, including a mother, father and their two children, officials said. Nasser Hospital records showed a total of 41 people killed on Tuesday. In central Gaza, Israeli strikes killed another 10 people and wounded 72, according to Awda Hospital in Nuseirat. Israel's military had no immediate comment on the strikes, but it blames Hamas for any harm to civilians because the militants operate in populated areas.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a prolonged attack on a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea on Tuesday, following their claim of sinking another vessel earlier this week — a series of incidents that threaten to escalate tensions and reignite conflict in the strategically vital waterway. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center, the Greek-owned bulk carrier Eternity C remained “surrounded by small craft and is under continuous attack.” At least two people aboard the ship were reported injured, and two others were missing as of Tuesday. The ship, which was heading north toward the Suez Canal, came under assault late Monday by men in small boats and bomb-laden drones. Security personnel on board returned fire in defense, according to reports from the European Union’s anti-piracy mission Operation Atalanta and private maritime security firm Ambrey. Though the Houthis have not officially claimed responsibility for this latest incident, Yemen’s exiled government and EU officials have squarely blamed the Iran-backed rebel group for the attack. Just two days earlier, the Houthis targeted another Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier, Magic Seas, using drones, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms fire. The 22-member crew was forced to abandon the vessel, which the rebels later said had sunk in the Red Sea. The back-to-back attacks, combined with Israeli airstrikes targeting Houthi positions early Monday, have raised concerns about the potential for a renewed Houthi campaign against commercial shipping. Israel launches airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthis; rebels retaliate with missile fire Such a campaign could again prompt a military response from U.S. and Western forces, as seen during the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which launched airstrikes against the group. These developments unfold at a critical juncture in the region. A possible ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict remains uncertain, and Iran is reportedly weighing its options about returning to nuclear negotiations following U.S. strikes on its key nuclear sites during the brief Israel-Iran conflict in June. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have continued to justify their maritime attacks as a means to pressure Israel to halt its offensive in Gaza. From November 2023 to January 2025, the group targeted over 100 merchant ships with missiles and drones, sinking two and killing four sailors.  Their actions have significantly disrupted trade along the Red Sea corridor, a route that typically facilitates $1 trillion in annual global commerce. Although Red Sea shipping had begun to recover in recent weeks, the recent Houthi attacks could threaten that progress. The rebels had paused maritime assaults since the U.S. launched a major campaign against them in mid-March, but their latest attacks mark a potential return to hostilities. However, they had continued sporadic missile launches targeting Israel during that period

A ship came under attack Sunday in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen by armed men firing guns and launching rocket-propelled grenades, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, a group overseen by the British military. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East due to the Israel-Hamas war and recent conflicts involving Iran and the United States. The attack took place approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Hodeida, Yemen, a city controlled by Houthi rebels. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center stated that an armed security team aboard the ship returned fire and described the situation as ongoing. “Authorities are investigating,” the center added. Maritime security firm Ambrey issued a warning saying that a merchant ship was “attacked by eight skiffs while transiting northbound in the Red Sea” and believed the attack was still in progress. The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet referred questions to the U.S. Central Command, which had not immediately responded to requests for comment. Israel launches airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthis; rebels retaliate with missile fire The Houthi rebels have previously launched missile and drone attacks against commercial and military vessels in the region, describing their actions as efforts to end Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza. Their al-Masirah satellite news channel confirmed the attack but offered no further comments, instead airing a speech by their leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi. Between November 2023 and January 2025, the Houthis targeted more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two ships and killing four sailors. These attacks significantly disrupted the flow of trade through the Red Sea corridor, which typically sees goods worth $1 trillion annually. The Houthis had paused their attacks under a self-imposed ceasefire until mid-March, when the U.S. launched a broad assault against them. The ceasefire ended weeks later, and while the Houthis have not attacked any vessels since, they have continued missile attacks targeting Israel. On Sunday, the group claimed to have launched a missile at Israel, which the Israeli military said was intercepted. Meanwhile, the decade-long war in Yemen between the Houthis and the exiled government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, remains at a stalemate. The Yemeni Coast Guard, loyal to the exiled government, has also engaged in firefights with vessels in the Red Sea. In addition, Somali pirates have operated in the region, typically targeting vessels for robbery or ransom.

A federal trial is set to begin Monday over a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's efforts to arrest and deport students and faculty who took part in pro-Palestinian protests and political activities. The lawsuit, brought by several university associations against President Donald Trump and his administration, is among the first of its kind to reach trial. The plaintiffs are asking U.S. District Judge William Young to declare the policy unconstitutional, arguing that it violates both the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies create and enforce regulations. “The policy’s effects have been swift. Noncitizen students and faculty across the United States have been terrified into silence," the plaintiffs stated in their pretrial brief. “Students and faculty are avoiding political protests, purging their social media, and withdrawing from public engagement with groups associated with pro-Palestinian viewpoints,” they added. “They’re abstaining from certain public writing and scholarship they would otherwise have pursued. They’re even self-censoring in the classroom.” Several academics are expected to testify, explaining how the policy and related arrests have forced them to abandon their advocacy for Palestinian rights and their criticism of Israeli government policies. Since Trump assumed office, immigration enforcement has increasingly targeted international students and scholars at American universities. Trump and his administration have accused some demonstrators and others of being aligned with “pro-Hamas” sentiments, referring to the Palestinian militant group behind the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Protesters, however, have said their demonstrations focus on opposing Israel’s conduct in the war. The plaintiffs name several activists in their complaint, including Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil, who spent 104 days in federal immigration custody before being released last month. His detention has become emblematic of Trump’s broader crackdown on campus activism. Israeli airstrikes kill 14 Palestinians in Gaza, another 10 people die seeking food The case also mentions Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk, who spent six weeks in immigration detention after being arrested in a Boston suburb. Ozturk claims she was unlawfully detained following an op-ed she co-authored criticizing Tufts’ response to Israel’s actions in Gaza. The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration provided universities with lists of individuals to target, initiated surveillance of social media, and used Trump’s own public remarks — including his statement after Khalil’s arrest that it was the “first arrest of many to come” — to back their claims. The government has countered that the plaintiffs are challenging a policy that doesn't formally exist. “They do not try to locate this program in any statute, regulation, rule, or directive. They do not allege that it is written down anywhere. And they do not even try to identify its specific terms and substance,” the government stated in court filings. “That is all unsurprising, because no such policy exists.” Officials also argue that the plaintiffs misunderstand how the First Amendment applies in the context of immigration, noting that constitutional protections differ for noncitizens under established Supreme Court precedent. In response, plaintiffs maintain that evidence presented at trial will show the administration implemented the policy in multiple ways, including formal guidance on revoking visas and green cards and creating mechanisms to identify those involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. "Defendants have described their policy, defended it, and taken political credit for it," plaintiffs argued. “It is only now that the policy has been challenged that they say, incredibly, that the policy does not actually exist. But the evidence at trial will show that the policy’s existence is beyond cavil.”

The BRICS group of developing nations on Sunday condemned rising global tariffs and military attacks on Iran but stopped short of naming US President Donald Trump or directly criticizing member states like Russia. The group’s joint declaration also condemned Israel's military actions in the Middle East while mentioning the ongoing war in Ukraine only once. The two-day summit, hosted in Rio de Janeiro, was overshadowed by the absence of key leaders. Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped a BRICS summit for the first time since taking power in 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the meeting via videoconference, continuing to limit his international travel due to an arrest warrant related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In an apparent swipe at the US, the group expressed “serious concerns” over tariff hikes, stating they are “inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organization) rules” and could “threaten reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty.” Responding on his social media platform, Trump warned of new tariffs, saying any nation aligning with “the Anti-American policies of BRICS” would face an additional 10% tariff. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, hosting the summit, criticized NATO's plan to raise military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 — a position later reflected in the BRICS declaration. “It is always easier to invest in war than in peace,” Lula said at the summit’s opening session, which continues Monday. Iranian presence and condemnation of Middle East violence Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expected to attend, stayed away following last month’s attacks on Iran. His foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, represented the country instead. The BRICS declaration condemned the attacks on Iran but avoided mentioning the US or Israel, the countries believed to have carried them out. In his address, Araghchi urged BRICS leaders to push for strong international condemnation of Israel. He also called for accountability from Israel and the US for alleged human rights violations. “The aftermath of the war will not be limited to one country,” Araghchi warned. “The entire region and beyond will be damaged.” BRICS leaders voiced “grave concern” over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, called for the release of hostages, and urged a return to negotiations in support of a two-state solution. However, in a later statement on Telegram, Araghchi expressed Iran’s reservations about the two-state proposal, saying it “will not work, just as it has not worked in the past.” Separately, Russia's foreign ministry used Telegram to name the US and Israel directly, condemning their “unprovoked military strikes” against Iran. Russia spared criticism, Ukraine mentioned once Despite Russia’s role in the Ukraine conflict, the BRICS declaration mentioned Ukraine only once, while condemning “in the strongest terms” recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. “We recall our national positions concerning the conflict in Ukraine as expressed in the appropriate fora, including the U.N. Security Council and the U.N. General Assembly,” the declaration said. João Alfredo Nyegray, an international business and geopolitics professor at the Pontifical Catholic University in Parana, said BRICS missed an opportunity to present itself as a unified alternative to global instability. BRICS summit opens in Brazil amid Trump tariff concerns “The withdrawal of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the uncertainty about the level of representation for countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are confirming the difficulty for the BRICS to establish themselves as a cohesive pole of global leadership,” Nyegray said. “This moment demands high-level articulation, but we are actually seeing dispersion.” Trump tariffs loom as Brazil treads carefully While Lula advocated for reform of global institutions, Brazil avoided provocative topics to shield its economy from Trump’s threats of higher tariffs. Trump has already warned of 100% tariffs on BRICS nations if they attempt to undermine the US dollar. At last year’s BRICS summit hosted by Russia, the Kremlin pushed for alternatives to US-controlled payment systems to bypass sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Brazil deliberately steered the summit toward less controversial topics like boosting trade among members and global health cooperation, according to Ana Garcia, a professor at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro. “Brazil wants the least amount of damage possible and to avoid drawing the attention of the Trump administration to prevent any type of risk to the Brazilian economy,” Garcia explained. Expansion and divisions within BRICS Founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS expanded last year to include Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. The group also created a new “strategic partner” category that includes Belarus, Cuba, and Vietnam. Brazil placed institutional development on the summit agenda to integrate new members and strengthen internal unity. Despite internal challenges, the summit remains significant for member states, particularly amid global tensions and Trump’s tariff policies, said Bruce Scheidl, a researcher with the University of Sao Paulo’s BRICS study group. “The summit offers the best opportunity for emerging countries to respond, in the sense of seeking alternatives and diversifying their economic partnerships,” Scheidl said. Protests and domestic backdrop Earlier Sunday, a pro-Israel group staged a protest on Rio’s Ipanema beach by placing dozens of rainbow flags, criticizing Iran's policies toward LGBT+ individuals. On Saturday, Amnesty International protested Brazil’s plans for offshore oil exploration near the Amazon River’s mouth. For Lula, the summit also provided a temporary respite from domestic political challenges, including declining popularity and tensions with Congress. The event served as a platform to advance environmental protection commitments ahead of November’s COP 30 climate talks in the Amazonian city of Belém.