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More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect last October, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry said on Wednesday that 1,005 people have been killed in Israeli military operations since the truce began, amid continued airstrikes, shelling and gunfire in various parts of the enclave. The latest casualties followed a series of Israeli drone strikes over recent days targeting towns, refugee camps in central Gaza and areas of Gaza City. In the latest incident, an Israeli strike in Khan Younis in southern Gaza killed two Palestinians and injured six others, according to health officials at Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strike, saying it targeted a “terrorist,” but provided no further details. Relatives of the victims told hospital authorities that the attack hit a group of people near the beach in the Mawasi tent camp, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are sheltering. Israel has maintained that it continues to conduct operations against Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza and has expanded the territory under its control inside the enclave. In a separate statement, the Israeli military said it had killed two militants belonging to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in strikes carried out over the weekend. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Sunday that the overall death toll from the Israel-Hamas war, which began in October 2023, has surpassed 73,000. The ministry does not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties, though its records are generally regarded by international organizations as credible and are maintained by medical professionals.

The United States and Iran have reached a tentative agreement aimed at extending their fragile ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, though major uncertainties remain as Israel continues military operations and refuses to pull back from occupied territory in Lebanon. Details of the understanding were not immediately made public. The deal is expected to allow the flow of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for global energy supplies. Iran, however, said the agreement would only take effect after it is formally signed, which Pakistan, acting as a key mediator, said would happen on Friday in Switzerland. Despite the announcement, the agreement quickly faced obstacles. Israel’s ongoing fighting with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon continued, including Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday. Israel joined the US in launching the war on February 28. In its first response after the deal was announced, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel would not withdraw from territories it has seized in Lebanon under any interim arrangement. He said Israel intends to remain in occupied areas in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip indefinitely. Iran has linked progress on the deal to an end to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Katz also warned that any Iranian attack in response to Israeli strikes would trigger a strong Israeli retaliation. Over the past two and a half years, Israel has taken control of roughly 1,000 square kilometres of territory across Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, an area slightly smaller than New York City. The agreement between the US and Iran also sets a 60-day timeline to address Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and its nuclear programme, a long-standing point of dispute. The issue had earlier been addressed in the 2015 nuclear deal, from which the US withdrew during President Donald Trump’s first term, worsening tensions that later escalated into conflict. Trump, celebrating his 80th birthday, announced the development on social media and said the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened and a US naval blockade lifted. He later clarified that the opening would depend on the signing scheduled for Friday. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also confirmed the agreement on state television, saying Tehran would not begin implementing it until it is signed. He said the talks involved mediation by Qatar. The announcement was welcomed by several world leaders, including those in China and Europe, who said reopening the Strait of Hormuz was crucial for stabilising global energy prices and trade. Chinese officials urged both sides to proceed with signing the memorandum as planned. France said the agreement could help end hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon, while urging all parties to respect the deal. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed hope that the signing would go ahead and said reopening the strait was essential for global stability, although some leaders, including Luxembourg’s foreign minister, remained cautious about the outcome. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also welcomed the breakthrough, calling for efforts to restore free navigation in the strategic waterway and to build lasting peace in the region. Pakistan announced the agreement first, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying both sides had agreed to an immediate halt to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. Pakistani officials said broader technical negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme would continue over the next 60 days, with the possibility of an extension if needed. Iranian state media, citing the Supreme National Security Council, said the war would end immediately once implementation begins and that the US blockade would be lifted in full. Qatari mediators later left Tehran after lengthy talks, while further preparatory meetings are expected in Doha this week. It remains unclear who will sign the agreement on Iran’s behalf. US Vice President JD Vance said preparations were still underway for Friday’s signing, adding that President Trump could also attend. However, some Republican lawmakers in the US expressed concern, including Senator Lindsey Graham, who said Iran’s interpretation of the deal appeared to differ from that of US negotiators.

Five people were killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Friday as Israeli attacks continued despite a US-brokered ceasefire and ongoing diplomatic efforts to end regional hostilities. Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that the victim was killed in an air raid targeting the municipality of Maarakeh in the Tyre district. Israeli warplanes also carried out strikes on several towns and villages in southern Lebanon, including areas located north of the so-called “Yellow Line,” a zone Israel has sought to control in recent months. The renewed attacks came amid reports that the United States and Iran have reached preliminary agreement on the wording of a deal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that mediators were working with both sides to finalize the agreement. According to Iranian media reports, the proposed deal would include an end to hostilities “on all fronts, including Lebanon.” The continued Israeli strikes have raised concerns that violence in Lebanon could undermine efforts to secure a broader regional agreement, particularly as Israel is not directly involved in the negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Israeli leaders have also indicated they do not intend to withdraw from Lebanese territory, adding to uncertainty over the prospects for lasting peace. The attacks occurred despite a ceasefire agreement reached earlier this month between Israeli and Lebanese officials, which called for a complete cessation of hostilities, particularly by Hezbollah. However, sporadic clashes and airstrikes have continued since the agreement was announced. A new round of talks between Israel and Lebanon is expected on June 22 as both sides seek to reach a more comprehensive arrangement aimed at ending cross-border hostilities. Source: Al Jazeera

Israel has intensified the demolition of Palestinian homes and the eviction of residents in east Jerusalem, according to rights groups and activists, who say the pace of such actions has increased significantly in recent years amid reduced international pressure and shifting global attention to conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. For Palestinian resident Fakhri Abu Diab, the issue is deeply personal. After years of legal battles to save his home in the al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan, Israeli authorities demolished it in 2024. He and his wife now live in a mobile home placed on the site, which is also under threat of removal. Abu Diab said the demolition erased much of his family's history, including the home where he grew up and the garden he cultivated as a child. Rights group Ir Amim said more than 260 homes and structures in east Jerusalem have been demolished in 2025, marking a sharp rise from three years ago. The group reported at least 116 demolitions so far this year and described the current situation as unprecedented in scale. Israel captured east Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza during the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek these territories for a future independent state, while much of the international community regards them as occupied territories. Israel considers Jerusalem its unified capital. Human rights groups say Israeli authorities continue to promote the expansion of Jewish settlements while restricting development in Palestinian neighborhoods, making it extremely difficult for Palestinians to obtain building permits. According to Israeli rights organization Bimkom, nearly 9,000 building permits were approved for Jewish residents in Jerusalem last year, compared with fewer than 700 for Palestinians, who account for around 40% of the city's population. Israeli officials argue that Palestinians submit relatively few permit applications, while many Palestinians say obtaining approval is nearly impossible. Those who build without permits risk demolition orders. At the same time, settler organizations have used various legal mechanisms to acquire or take control of Palestinian properties. The issue has become more prominent since President Donald Trump's first administration recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, departing from previous US policies that viewed settlement expansion as an obstacle to peace efforts. The US State Department said policies in Jerusalem are determined by Israeli authorities but expressed an expectation that due process and the rule of law be respected. In al-Bustan, located near the Old City and close to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, around 1,500 Palestinians face the possibility of losing their homes. The area is part of Silwan, a densely populated Palestinian district that is also of significant religious and archaeological interest. The Jerusalem municipality said homes in al-Bustan are being removed because they were built without permits on land not designated for housing. Authorities say a public park and parking facilities will be developed in the area and that alternative housing plans had been proposed to residents. Abu Diab said part of his home existed before 1967 but was later expanded without permits because obtaining authorization was not feasible. Elsewhere in Silwan's Batan al-Hawah neighborhood, Palestinian families continue to face eviction orders. Resident Zuhair al-Rajabi said he and dozens of relatives were instructed to leave their property after Israel's Supreme Court ruled against them following years of legal proceedings. He said his family possesses documents dating back to 1966 proving ownership but now faces relocation with few affordable housing options available in Jerusalem. According to rights group B'Tselem, March saw the highest rate of state-backed evictions in the neighborhood in decades, with 15 families removed and hundreds more residents facing potential displacement. Israeli law allows Jews to reclaim properties owned by Jewish families before the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Palestinians who lost homes during that conflict, however, are generally unable to reclaim those properties. B'Tselem said the evictions reflect cooperation between settler groups and state institutions under laws it considers discriminatory, with the result being increased Jewish settlement and reduced Palestinian presence in east Jerusalem. Israel's judiciary rejected accusations of coordination with settler organizations, saying courts decide cases based on legal merits, evidence and established precedent. Settler group Ateret Cohanim defended its activities, saying it seeks to restore Jewish communities that existed in parts of east Jerusalem before the early 20th century. The organization said dozens of Jewish families have moved into Batan al-Hawah since 2004 and more are expected to follow. For many displaced Palestinians, however, the struggle remains deeply emotional. Khalil Basbous, who was evicted from his home in January, now lives with relatives nearby but passes his former house every day. He said he still hopes to return one day.  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared before the District Court in Tel Aviv for the 88th time on Tuesday in connection with ongoing corruption proceedings against him. According to Israel’s  madia, the judges agreed to shorten the hearing due to Netanyahu’s “security and political schedule,” without elaborating further. Netanyahu is facing charges of corruption, bribery and breach of trust across three separate cases, with indictments filed in November 2019. Since the trial began in 2020, he has consistently denied any wrongdoing, characterising the allegations as a “political campaign aimed at overthrowing him.” Under Israeli law, a presidential pardon cannot be granted unless the accused admits guilt. Separately, Netanyahu has also been wanted by the International Criminal Court since 2024 over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, where more than 72,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed during Israel’s ongoing military campaign.

At least 39 people were killed in a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, the country’s health ministry said, as hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah persist despite a ceasefire announcement. One of the deadliest strikes hit the southern town of Saksakiyeh, where at least seven people, including a child, were killed and 15 others injured, among them three children, according to the ministry. The Israeli military said it targeted Hezbollah operatives using a structure for military purposes and acknowledged reports of civilian casualties. It added that precautions were taken to minimise harm to civilians, including the use of precision weapons and aerial surveillance, and that the incident is under review. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported multiple Israeli strikes across southern regions on Saturday. In another incident, an Israeli drone strike in Nabatieh targeted a motorbike carrying a Syrian man and his 12-year-old daughter. The health ministry said the pair were hit in successive strikes, killing the father and critically injuring the girl, who was undergoing surgery. Hezbollah also launched a drone attack into northern Israel, wounding three Israeli soldiers, one of them seriously, according to the Israeli military. Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have continued since a ceasefire deal announced on April 16. Israel says its strikes are aimed at Hezbollah-linked targets, while the group has responded with rocket and drone attacks. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, more than 120 people have been killed in Israeli attacks over the past week, including women and children, though it does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israeli forces continue to occupy parts of southern Lebanon along the border, aiming to establish what they describe as a Hezbollah-free buffer zone. Reports indicate widespread destruction in some villages, drawing concern from rights groups. Since early March, nearly 2,800 people have been killed in Lebanon, while Israeli authorities report 17 soldiers and three civilians killed in related violence on both sides of the border. Source: BBC

Activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip by sea said Israeli forces intercepted their flotilla overnight while it was sailing near the Greek island of Crete, detaining crew members. The group said the boats were stopped hundreds of miles from Gaza in international waters. The Global Sumud Flotilla had set off earlier this month from Barcelona, with organisers saying more than 70 boats and about 1,000 people from different countries were involved. Additional vessels were expected to join as it moved across the Mediterranean. In a statement, the activists described the interception as a serious escalation, alleging civilians were detained far from the conflict zone. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said around 175 activists from more than 20 boats were being taken to Israel. According to tracking data shared by organisers, 22 boats had been stopped west of Crete, while several others were still heading east as of Thursday morning. Israel, along with Egypt, has maintained a blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Israel says the restrictions are necessary to stop weapons from reaching Hamas, while critics argue they have worsened humanitarian conditions for Palestinians. Turkey condemned the action, calling it a violation of international law and humanitarian principles. Turkish officials said the incident was discussed between the country’s foreign minister and his Spanish counterpart. Activists in Greece announced plans to stage a protest in Athens, claiming the interception took place within an area where Greece is responsible for search and rescue operations, and accusing authorities of failing to respond. Although a fragile ceasefire has reduced large-scale fighting in Gaza, violence has continued. Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 790 people have been killed since the truce began, and over 72,000 Palestinians have died since the war started following the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas-led militants on Israel that killed around 1,200 people. Around 2 million people in Gaza are still facing severe shortages of food and medicine, with limited aid entering through a single Israeli-controlled crossing. Organisers said the flotilla aimed to draw global attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, especially as international focus shifts to other conflicts. A similar attempt last year also failed after Israeli forces intercepted or turned back participating vessels. Some activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, were detained and later deported, with claims of mistreatment that Israel denied.

Lebanon and Israel are set to begin a second round of rare direct talks in Washington on Thursday, focusing on extending the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah group and exploring future negotiations. The meeting will bring together Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad and her Israeli counterpart Yechiel Leiter. It follows their first direct engagement held just days ago, marking the first such contact between the two countries in nearly 30 years. Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun said discussions are underway to prolong the current 10-day ceasefire that started last Friday. According to his office, Hamadeh will propose extending the truce and call for an end to Israeli demolitions of homes in areas occupied after fighting broke out on March 2. Aoun said broader negotiations are also being prepared, aiming to fully stop Israeli attacks, secure the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon, ensure the release of Lebanese detainees held in Israel, deploy Lebanese forces along the border and begin reconstruction efforts. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar urged Lebanon to cooperate in disarming Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, ahead of the Washington talks. “We don't have any serious disagreements with Lebanon. There are a few minor border disputes that can be solved,” Saar said during remarks marking Israel’s Independence Day, where he described Lebanon as a “failed state.” “The obstacle to peace and normalization between the countries is one: Hezbollah,” he added, saying Lebanon could achieve sovereignty and independence free from Iranian influence. The latest conflict began when Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, shortly after Israel and the United States carried out strikes on Iran. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and a ground operation, capturing several towns and villages along the border. Israeli forces now control a buffer zone extending up to 10 kilometers inside southern Lebanon, saying it is meant to prevent attacks on northern Israel. Despite Hezbollah’s strong opposition, the talks are seen as a significant step between the two countries, which have no formal diplomatic ties and have technically been at war since 1948. The Lebanese government hopes the discussions will lead to a lasting end to the conflict. While Iran has linked regional ceasefires to any future talks with Washington, Lebanon has stressed it is negotiating independently. Wafiq Safa, a senior figure in Hezbollah’s political council, told AP that the group would not accept any outcome from the direct talks. Since the ceasefire began last week, both sides have reported several violations. The recent fighting has killed around 2,300 people in Lebanon, including many women and children, and forced more than 1 million people from their homes. Last week’s meeting marked the first direct talks between Lebanon and Israel since 1993, with previous communication largely handled through mediators such as the United States or the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s leadership, which criticised Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on March 2, had pushed for direct talks early on in hopes of preventing further escalation and avoiding a ground invasion.

Israel’s public support for its ongoing war against Iran remains strong, but analysts warn that a prolonged conflict could strain the country’s military and economy. Since launching strikes on Iran on Saturday, Israel has faced repeated missile and drone attacks, prompting widespread air raid alerts, school closures, and the mobilisation of tens of thousands of reservists. Cities including Haifa and Tel Aviv have been under sustained attacks, stretching emergency services, reports Al Jazeera. Despite these pressures, many Israelis remain supportive of the war. Interviews show strong public backing, with the majority rallying behind the government, driven by a perception of Iran as a long-standing existential threat. Political economist Shir Hever noted that the current public mood contrasts with the June 2025 12-day war, which was marked more by fear than aggressive militarism. Analysts say ongoing hostilities could further radicalise society, entrenching far-right influence and prompting more young talent to emigrate. From a military perspective, Israel’s ability to sustain high-intensity conflict depends heavily on external support. Defence analyst Hamze Attar said Iran launched more than 200 ballistic missiles in the first three days of fighting, forcing Israel to expend interceptors from the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems. Limited stocks mean prolonged conflict could require rationing, focusing defence on key military and political targets and increasing risks to civilians. Iran is reportedly producing around 100 missiles per month, but uncertainty remains over their types, numbers, and launchers. “If you don’t have the launchers, it doesn’t matter how many missiles you have,” Attar said. Economically, two years of near-continuous conflict have drained Israel’s finances. Spending on Gaza and Lebanon in 2024 reached $31 billion, rising to $55 billion in 2025, contributing to a debt crisis and a sovereign credit downgrade. Hever warned of additional pressures on energy, transport, and health services. However, experts argue that technology and US weapons support are likely to allow Israel to continue military operations despite economic strains. Hever said advanced weaponry, which can operate at long distances without putting soldiers at risk, diminishes the economic limits on the country’s military campaigns.

Israel carried out a daytime assault on Tehran on Saturday, sending smoke billowing from the city center. The initial strike targeted areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The United States is participating in the operation, though the exact scale of its involvement remains unclear, according to a U.S. official and a source familiar with the mission, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of military operations. It is not known whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was present at his offices during the attack. He has not been seen publicly for several days amid escalating tensions with the United States. The strikes come as Washington has deployed a large fleet of fighter jets and warships to the region to pressure Iran into a nuclear deal. Authorities had closed roads leading to Khamenei's compound in central Tehran as other blasts were reported across the city. US President Donald Trump had aimed for a deal to limit Iran’s nuclear activities and see a chance while the country faces rising domestic unrest following nationwide protests. Iran had sought to avoid war but insists it has the right to enrich uranium and refuses to negotiate on other issues, including its long-range missile program or support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. It is unclear whether Iran will retaliate immediately, but Tehran has warned that American military personnel and bases across the region would be targets for any response. Pakistan declares State of emergency in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the strikes as being carried out “to remove threats.” He did not provide further details. In Tehran, witnesses reported hearing the first blast near Khamenei's office. Iranian state television later covered the explosion without specifying a cause. Sirens sounded across Israel as the country closed its airspace. The Israeli military said it issued a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel.” Additional explosions were reported in Tehran following the Israeli attack, though authorities have not released casualty figures. Iran meanwhile closed its airspace and disrupted mobile phone services. Warnings to pilots coincided with the blasts reverberating across the Iranian capital.