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Yemen’s Houthi rebels have threatened to escalate their attacks by targeting merchant ships owned by any company doing business with Israeli ports, regardless of nationality. In a statement late Sunday, the Iran-backed group announced the start of a “fourth phase” of their naval operations against Israel, declaring that such vessels will be targeted “in any location within the reach of our armed forces,” regardless of destination. The Houthis have launched dozens of missile and drone attacks on ships since late 2023 in response to Israel’s war in Gaza, claiming solidarity with Palestinians. The campaign has disrupted trade through the Red Sea, a key global shipping route. Ancient human remains in Israeli cave reveal early burial practices Earlier this month, the Houthis attacked and sank two Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carriers — Magic Seas and Eternity C. Four crew members died in the Eternity C incident, and 11 others were captured. The group released a video Monday showing the captives. The Houthis warned that unless Israel halts its war and lifts its Gaza blockade, attacks on vessels linked to Israeli trade will continue. From November 2023 to December 2024, over 100 ships were reportedly targeted. Although the U.S. halted airstrikes against the Houthis in May under a deal aimed at stopping the attacks, the rebels said they will continue operations against ships they view as supporting Israel.

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 36 Palestinians across Gaza on Monday, including a pregnant woman and her newborn, according to local health officials. The strikes came as Israel eased some aid restrictions under global pressure over the growing hunger crisis. A pregnant woman, Soad al-Shaer, was killed in an Israeli strike in Muwasi, Khan Younis. Her baby, delivered by emergency surgery, died hours later despite being placed in an incubator. Eleven others were killed in a separate strike on a house in Khan Younis, mostly women and children. The Israeli military did not comment on most of the reported strikes. One incident in Gaza City during Israel’s announced humanitarian pause reportedly killed one person. Israel initiates daily pauses in Gaza fighting to allow limited aid amid growing hunger To address the worsening humanitarian crisis, Israel said it would pause military operations for 10 hours daily in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Muwasi to allow aid to enter. Aid agencies welcomed the move but called it insufficient. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said 300 aid trucks entered Gaza Sunday, but the UN says 500-600 trucks are needed daily. Nearly all local food production has collapsed due to the blockade and ongoing conflict. Two military planes from Jordan and the UAE dropped 17 tons of aid, though UN officials warned that airdrops are ineffective and risky. Awda Hospital said Israeli fire near an aid site killed seven people and injured 20 more. The site was run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed contractor. The war began with Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis. Israel’s offensive has since killed over 59,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed allegations of attacks on Christians by Israeli forces, labeling them as “bold-faced” lies in a recent address to evangelical Christians in Jerusalem. Delivering a speech centered on Jewish-Christian solidarity, Netanyahu asserted that Christians enjoy greater protection in Israel than anywhere else in the Middle East. He said this reality was being distorted by what he described as a “campaign of lies”. The comments come in the wake of growing international criticism over incidents involving Christian communities in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. One of the most recent attacks, on July 17, targeted the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals. Addressing an event organized by the Evangelical Christian television network Daystar, and attended by White House faith adviser Paula White, Netanyahu declared: “I can think of no one who can carry this battle alongside with us. We have fought this battle together; we shall win it together.” He also took aim at the United Nations, accusing it of spreading misinformation. “Stop lying. Stop finding excuses … There is no starvation in Gaza, no policy of starvation in Gaza,” he said during the 10-minute speech. However, church leaders in Jerusalem who recently visited Gaza have sharply contradicted Netanyahu’s claims. Calling the humanitarian situation “morally unacceptable”, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, told reporters that people in Gaza are indeed starving, emphasizing, “humanitarian aid is not only necessary; it is a matter of life and death.”  Source: Al Jazeera 

The Israeli military has initiated a daily 10-hour pause in fighting across three densely populated areas of Gaza, starting Sunday, in response to growing international pressure and escalating concerns about widespread hunger in the region amid the ongoing 21-month conflict. The military announced the "tactical pause" would occur each day from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Muwasi. The move is aimed at facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid. Along with these pauses, Israel is establishing safe corridors for aid and has carried out airdrops of essentials like flour, sugar, and canned food. Warnings about famine in Gaza have been circulating for months. Israel has limited aid flow, claiming—without evidence—that Hamas diverts the supplies for its own use. Recent images of severely malnourished children have intensified global condemnation, including from Israel's close allies, who are urging an end to the war and the growing humanitarian disaster. Despite the pauses, Israel's military operations against Hamas continue elsewhere in Gaza. Prior to the pause, Gaza health officials reported that at least 16 Palestinians were killed in separate airstrikes. Dr. Muneer al-Boursh, head of Gaza’s Health Ministry, stated that the humanitarian pauses would be meaningless without a large-scale influx of medical and nutritional supplies, especially for children. "Every delay results in another death," he said. These local pauses come shortly after ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas stalled. On Friday, both Israel and the U.S. withdrew their delegations, blaming Hamas and signaling that Israel was considering other strategies. Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Merdawi criticized the Israeli pause, calling it a public relations move to improve Israel’s image rather than to address the crisis. He added that Israel would face consequences for its actions. After halting aid entirely in March to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages, Israel slightly loosened restrictions in May. Since then, approximately 4,500 aid trucks have entered Gaza—about 69 per day—far short of the 500–600 daily trucks the U.N. says are needed. The U.N. also reports difficulties in distributing aid due to looting by desperate crowds and armed groups. To bypass U.N. aid mechanisms, Israel has supported a U.S.-based group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates four food distribution centers. However, according to the U.N. human rights office, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed—mostly near these centers—while trying to obtain food. Israel has repeatedly accused the U.N. of enabling Hamas to steal aid, an allegation the U.N. denies, asserting that its system remains the most effective for delivering assistance. The Israeli military stated the new steps were coordinated with the U.N. and other aid organizations, though the U.N. has not yet responded. Gaza's population, forced into increasingly cramped areas due to ongoing fighting, depends heavily on humanitarian aid. New Airstrikes Kill at Least 16 Among the latest attacks, a strike on a tent in the Asdaa area near Khan Younis killed at least nine people, including multiple family members, according to Nasser Hospital. In Gaza City, a separate strike on an apartment killed four people, including two women. In Deir al-Balah, a strike near a desalination plant killed three more, including a couple and another woman, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. The Israeli military did not comment on these incidents but reported the deaths of two more soldiers in Gaza, bringing the total military fatalities to 898 since October 7, 2023. The conflict began with Hamas’ surprise attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken. Israel says Hamas still holds 50 hostages, over half believed to be dead. In response, Israel’s ongoing offensive has killed more than 59,700 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. While it does not distinguish between militants and civilians, the ministry reports that over half of the casualties are women and children. Despite being under Hamas control, the ministry’s casualty data is widely regarded by the U.N. and other global bodies as the most reliable available.

The Israeli military has announced a daily “tactical pause” in military operations across three areas of Gaza to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, starting Sunday. According to a military statement, activity will be suspended in Muwasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time each day until further notice. The pause aims to support the distribution of food, medicine, and other essential supplies by humanitarian agencies. The military said it would also establish secure routes to aid the safe movement of relief efforts throughout the territory. Gaza death toll rises amid renewed Israeli strikes Although Israeli forces are reportedly not operating directly in the designated areas, recent weeks have seen active fighting and airstrikes in each of them. The announcement comes amid growing international concern over worsening conditions for civilians in Gaza. Source: Agency 

At least 25 Palestinians were killed overnight by Israeli airstrikes and gunfire in Gaza, including several people shot while waiting for humanitarian aid near the Zikim crossing, health officials and ambulance services reported Saturday. Medical staff at Shifa Hospital said most of the victims were hit by gunfire while gathering for aid trucks near the Israeli border. Four others died in an Israeli airstrike targeting an apartment building in Gaza City. The Israeli military has not commented on the latest shootings. The incident follows a similar tragedy days earlier at the Zikim crossing, where at least 79 Palestinians were killed as they attempted to access humanitarian supplies. At the time, the Israeli army said its soldiers fired at crowds deemed threatening. The violence comes amid a breakdown in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Talks have stalled since the United States and Israel recalled their negotiating teams on Thursday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday said his government was exploring "alternative options." Meanwhile, a Hamas official claimed discussions could resume next week, suggesting the pause may be a tactic to apply pressure. Over 100 aid organizations warn of worsening starvation in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli strikes Mediators Egypt and Qatar, along with the U.S., have said the suspension is temporary but have not provided a timeline for resumption. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with the United Nations warning of imminent famine. Despite Israeli claims of unrestricted aid entry, the UN says operations are severely constrained by military restrictions and widespread looting. In a rare move, Israel has agreed to allow food and milk formula airdrops requested by Jordan. The UK also said it is working urgently to send aid via Jordan. The World Central Kitchen resumed limited operations in Deir al-Balah, aiming to provide 60,000 meals daily—less than half its previous capacity due to severe food shortages.

The leaders of the UK, France, and Germany have jointly pressed Israel to allow full humanitarian access to Gaza, warning of a worsening crisis, shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron announced France will formally recognize a Palestinian state — the first major Western nation to do so. The joint statement followed a phone call between Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In it, the three leaders called for an immediate ceasefire and condemned the denial of vital humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilians, though the statement did not introduce any new policy measures. The leaders affirmed their readiness to support further steps toward a ceasefire and a long-term political solution, but did not outline specific actions. France’s Decision Highlights Divisions in Europe Macron’s move to recognize Palestinian statehood exposed policy rifts among the so-called E3 nations (France, Germany, and the UK), who all theoretically support a two-state solution but differ in timing and approach. Germany clarified it has no immediate intention to follow France’s lead, stating that official recognition should come at the end of a negotiated peace process. Britain also hasn’t adopted France’s position but is facing rising pressure to do so — not only from opposition politicians but also from figures within Starmer’s own Labour government. Health Secretary Wes Streeting called for immediate recognition, warning that time is running out to recognize a Palestinian state that still exists. On Friday, 221 members of the UK Parliament signed a letter urging Starmer to take action. “For decades we’ve endorsed a two-state solution. Recognizing Palestine now would give real weight to that commitment,” the letter said, signed by lawmakers from across the political spectrum. In remarks after the E3 call, Starmer criticized several aspects of the conflict, including the ongoing detention of hostages, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, rising settler violence, and Israel’s disproportionate military campaign. He reiterated his support for Palestinian statehood but stressed it must be part of a broader, credible peace process. “I am clear that recognition must be part of the journey toward a two-state solution and lasting peace,” he said. Over 140 countries already recognize Palestine as a state, including several in Europe. France is the first among the G7 nations — and the largest European country — to take this step. The decision was met with criticism from Israel and the United States. While the UK has consistently backed the concept of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, it has maintained that formal recognition should occur only through negotiated peace talks — something that seems far from reach. There has been no serious Israeli-Palestinian dialogue for years, even before the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks, which killed 1,200 people and triggered the current war. Mounting Humanitarian Crisis Concerns Allies The dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza — where starvation is increasing and children are dying from hunger — have deeply unsettled even Israel’s strongest European allies. Germany, historically one of Israel’s most steadfast backers due to the legacy of the Holocaust, emphasized that statehood recognition should come at the end of a peace agreement. Still, Berlin has taken a firmer tone, calling Israeli military actions in Gaza unacceptable and demanding more humanitarian access. On Friday, the German government said it remains in ongoing discussions with Israel and other partners about a ceasefire and better aid delivery. While stating it is willing to “increase pressure” if needed, it offered no details. Britain has already suspended some arms exports to Israel, paused free trade negotiations, and imposed sanctions on far-right Israeli ministers and extremist settlers. Nonetheless, Starmer continues to face calls to adopt tougher measures. Complicating his position is his desire to maintain a strong relationship with the United States, whose administration has criticized Macron’s decision. Starmer is set to meet President Donald Trump during Trump’s visit to Scotland, where he owns two golf resorts. Yossi Mekelberg, a Middle East analyst at Chatham House, noted that Macron delaying formal recognition until September may give other countries time to align with France. “The UK is getting close, but it’s not there yet,” Mekelberg said. “Macron’s timing might give Starmer room to move, even if he’s naturally cautious. This could generate momentum for the UK to follow.”

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday announced that France will recognize Palestine as a state, marking a significant diplomatic move amid growing global outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Macron made the announcement in a post on X, stating that he will formalize the decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September. “The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,'' he wrote. The largely symbolic step is expected to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel as its military offensive in the Gaza Strip continues. France has now become the most influential Western nation to recognize Palestine, a move that could encourage others to follow suit. Over 140 countries worldwide, including more than a dozen European nations, currently recognize a Palestinian state. Palestinians are seeking an independent state comprising the occupied West Bank, annexed east Jerusalem, and Gaza—territories that Israel seized during the 1967 Middle East war. However, Israel’s government and much of its political establishment remain firmly opposed to Palestinian statehood, especially following Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023. “We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision,'' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it.'' The Palestinian Authority, meanwhile, welcomed France’s decision. A formal letter was handed over to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jerusalem on Thursday. “We express our thanks and appreciation'' to Macron, said Hussein Al Sheikh, the PLO’s vice president under Abbas, in a post. “This position reflects France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination.'' UN reports surge in child malnutrition in Gaza as Israeli strikes kill 93 However, the United States has strongly opposed Macron's announcement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a post on X, said, “This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th." France is home to both the largest Jewish and the largest Muslim populations in Western Europe and has often experienced domestic tensions related to the Middle East conflict. Macron, who initially expressed strong support for Israel following the Hamas attack, has grown increasingly critical of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. ″Given its historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the state of Palestine,'' he posted. ″Peace is possible.'' His announcement follows the U.S. withdrawal from Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar, citing a lack of good faith from Hamas. It also precedes a U.N. conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia next week focused on a two-state solution. Last month, Macron reiterated his determination to recognize the state of Palestine and has advocated for advancing a two-state solution in parallel with recognition of Israel and its right to self-defense. This week, momentum has been building internationally against Israel’s actions. France, along with over two dozen mostly European nations, condemned Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid and the deaths of Palestinians trying to access food. Macron is expected to join the leaders of Britain and Germany on Friday for emergency talks on the Gaza situation, focusing on aid delivery and ending the conflict. “We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis,'' British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement announcing the call. “The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible.'' Israel annexed east Jerusalem after the 1967 war and considers it part of its capital. It has also established numerous settlements in the West Bank, now housing over 500,000 Jewish settlers, while about 3 million Palestinians live under Israeli military control, with limited autonomy granted to the Palestinian Authority. Formal peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians last broke down in 2009, when Netanyahu returned to power. Most of the global community still views the creation of a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel as the only workable resolution to the decades-old conflict.

The Iranian government ordered a partial public shutdown on Wednesday in response to an intense heatwave that pushed temperatures beyond 40 degrees Celsius (104°F), putting significant pressure on the country’s power grid. In the capital, Tehran, public offices and banks were closed. However, for many private business owners, it was business as usual despite the searing heat. The government declared an official holiday for public sector employees in eight of Iran’s 31 provinces, including Tehran, aiming to conserve electricity. 27 inmates still missing after Israeli airstrike on Tehran prison, Iran reports This decision effectively split the city into two contrasting scenes — quiet, closed government buildings on one side, and bustling private shops and malls where air conditioners continued running. For some residents, the surprise day off came as a welcome break. Since Thursday is already part of Iran’s regular weekend, the closure led to a mass departure from the capital. Iranian media reported heavy traffic on roads heading north, as many sought relief from the heat in the cooler Caspian coastal provinces of Mazandaran and Gilan. Using public shutdowns to tackle extreme summer temperatures has become a recurring approach for Iran. Similar closures took place in 2023 and again in July 2024 to help protect infrastructure during heatwaves. While officials urged people to stay indoors, conditions were even harsher in other parts of the country. In the southern city of Borazjan, temperatures soared to a blistering 50 degrees Celsius (122°F) last Sunday.

At least 21 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza late Tuesday and early Wednesday, as the humanitarian crisis deepens nearly two years into the Israel-Hamas war. The deadly strikes come amid growing desperation among Gaza’s over 2 million residents, many of whom are facing hunger and chaos due to the prolonged conflict and Israel’s blockade. In response to the escalating crisis, the U.S. State Department announced that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to the region to push for a ceasefire deal. According to the U.N. human rights office, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since May while trying to access food — often near aid sites run by an American contractor. Aid operations continue to be hampered by violence, looting, and logistical breakdowns. Gaza's Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, reports over 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. While the ministry does not separate civilian and militant casualties, it states that more than half of those killed are women and children. International organizations, including the U.N., treat these figures as credible. Tragic Night of Airstrikes One of the worst-hit areas was a house in northwestern Gaza City, where an Israeli strike killed at least 12 people — including six children and two women, according to Shifa Hospital. Another strike in Tal al-Hawa killed six more, among them three children and two women, one of whom was pregnant. A third strike in Gaza City's Naser neighborhood killed three children. The Israeli military claimed one of the strikes targeted an Islamic Jihad militant and said it is reviewing the incident due to reports of civilian casualties. It did not comment on the other strikes but maintained that Hamas is to blame for civilian deaths, accusing the group of operating from densely populated areas. Holy Site Hit ‘Accidentally’ Israel confirmed that a shell accidentally struck the Holy Family Church in Gaza City last week, killing three people and wounding ten. The military called it an “unintentional deviation of munitions.” The incident drew global condemnation, including statements from Pope Leo XIV and U.S. President Donald Trump. The church, Gaza’s only Catholic place of worship, was severely damaged. Visiting church leaders described the surrounding area as “almost totally destroyed.” Houthi Attacks in Red Sea Deemed War Crimes In a related development, Human Rights Watch condemned recent Houthi rebel attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, labeling them as war crimes. The Iran-backed rebels claimed the attacks were in protest of Israel’s war in Gaza, but HRW asserted that targeting ships unrelated to the conflict violates international law. Senior Gaza Health Official Detained Israel has detained Dr. Marwan al-Hams, acting director of Gaza’s field hospitals and health ministry spokesperson. Palestinian rights group Addameer said he was shot during his arrest in Rafah and is currently held in a southern Israeli prison. His detention has been extended until the end of the month, and no legal counsel has been permitted access. Aid Groups Demand Action A coalition of 115 international human rights and aid organizations released a letter Wednesday warning of accelerating starvation in Gaza. They criticized Israel’s restrictions and delays on humanitarian aid and condemned the repeated violence at food distribution points, describing the conditions as “chaos, starvation, and death.” “The siege is breaking down Gaza’s society,” the letter stated. It urged immediate scaling up of aid deliveries and an urgent ceasefire. Israel, meanwhile, says it has allowed thousands of aid trucks to enter Gaza since May and blamed aid agencies for failing to distribute supplies effectively.