Parallel to preparations for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S., President Donald Trump is reportedly pushing for a tripartite summit including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. A senior Israeli official told Channel 13 that Israel agrees to the meeting, which will focus on the next phase of the Gaza deal and the Iranian file. 1. Key Strategic Discussions The "Next Step" in Gaza:  The summit aims to finalize the transition to the second phase

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he has ordered a "full and total" blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared the government of Nicolás Maduro a foreign terrorist organization, accusing it of "terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking." 1. Naval Blockade and Military Mobilization Unprecedented Fleet:  Trump stated that Venezuela is surrounded by the largest naval fleet ever mobilized in Sout

Paris has reaffirmed its demand for "strong security guarantees" for Kyiv before addressing the issue of Ukrainian territories that Moscow is demanding to be ceded. This follows statements from the circle of French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, after meetings in Berlin focused on the matter. These sources stated: "We want, above all, strong security guarantees before any discussion regarding territories." 1. Progress on Guarantees and the U.S. Peace Plan Security Prog

Hamas has issued an urgent appeal to save the residents of the Gaza Strip from what it described as a "certain disaster," after heavy rains and severe weather on Monday night flooded hundreds of displaced persons' tents and blew away many others. 1. "Urgent Action" Required Lack of Protection:  Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem stated that the humanitarian catastrophe is worsening with the arrival of a new weather depression. He emphasized that the current tents provide no prot

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) had previously investigated links between one of the Bondi Beach attackers and the ISIS organization six years ago, noting evidence that the perpetrators pledged allegiance to the group. Attack Details and Perpetrators: New Casualties:  Police announced that 16 people were killed  and over 40 injured  in the shooting that targeted celebrants of the Jewish holid

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on Sunday on the Sydney attack at Bondi Beach that killed over 10 people, using the incident to launch sharp criticism against the Australian government. Netanyahu's Remarks and Criticism of Australia: Defining Anti-Semitism:  Netanyahu stated: " Anti-Semitism is a cancer that spreads when leaders are silent ." Criticizing Australian Policy:  Netanyahu revealed that he wrote to the Australian Prime Minister "months ago" to i

The skies over Palmyra (Tadmur) in the eastern Homs countryside witnessed intense US military activity, including the dropping of flares and heavy warplane flights, following an ambush by ISIS that killed three US citizens in the area. US Actions in Palmyra: Flares and Overflights:  Local sources reported flares being dropped over Palmyra, creating widespread illumination. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Show of Force:  The Wall Street Journal  quoted

The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has worsened drastically due to the severe winter low-pressure system, coinciding with progress on plans to deploy a US-led international stabilization force. 1. Humanitarian Crisis and Winter Fatalities in Gaza Health and Civil Defence authorities in Gaza reported tragic figures due to the extreme weather: Weather-Related Deaths: Three children died from the extreme cold  on Friday (including Hadeel Al-Masri, 9, and Teem Al-Khawaja,

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atty affirmed on Thursday the absolute rejection of any calls targeting the displacement of Palestinians or the alteration of the geographical and demographic status of the Gaza Strip. This came during a phone call with António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General. Key Egyptian Positions (Discussed with Guterres): Absolute Rejection:  Total opposition to the displacement of Palestinians or any change to Gaza's geography and demography. Stabi

Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia persisted on Wednesday with no signs of de-escalation, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced persons crowded in temporary shelters. The fighting, rooted in long-standing territorial disputes, erupted after a skirmish on Sunday, which violated a ceasefire previously brokered by US President Donald Trump last July. Casualties and Displacement: Total Casualties:  Over 12 people have been killed in the latest fighting. Thailand:  

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rigi apologized on Wednesday for not accepting an invitation to visit Iran, the main backer of Hezbollah, stating that the "favorable atmosphere for the visit is not available." He instead suggested meeting in a "neutral third country." Details of the Refusal and Conditions: Declining Visit:  Rigi informed his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi , of his apology for not accepting the invitation "under the current circumstances." Willingness t

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced today, Wednesday, that its air defense units intercepted and destroyed 20 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the territories of several Russian regions during the past night. Drone Interception Details: Total Number:  20 Ukrainian drones. Geographical Distribution: Bryansk Region:  16 drones. Kaluga Region:  2 drones. Belgorod Region:  1 drone. Moscow Region:  1 drone. Russian Offensive Operations in Ukraine: Destroying UA

Reuters, citing three Egyptian security and military sources, reported that Palestinian groups opposed to Hamas and backed by Israel have intensified their activities and expanded in areas controlled by Israel within the Gaza Strip since the last truce began. Key Findings: Increased Numbers:  The number of fighters in these groups has risen to about 1,000 members , an increase of 400 since the ceasefire in October. Area of Operation:  These groups operate out of Hamas's reach

Amid sensitive US-led negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov launched a scathing critique of the European Union, while simultaneously asserting that Russia neither intends nor ever considers launching a war against European nations. Lavrov's Criticism of the European Union: "Political Blindness":  Lavrov described the European Union as suffering from " hopeless political blindness " and " deluding itself with the possibility of

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the second phase of the US-sponsored peace plan to end the war in Gaza is imminent, but essential issues, particularly the disarmament of Hamas, still need to be resolved. Key Elements of Phase Two (Trump Plan): Withdrawal and Governance:  Phase two requires Israel to withdraw from additional areas in Gaza, establish a transitional authority, and deploy an international security force . Disarmament and Reconstruction:  The

The government of Benin announced today, Sunday, that a limited military coup attempt was foiled after a group of soldiers seized the national television station and announced the "removal" of President Patrice Talon and the dissolution of state institutions. Details of the Attempt and Government Response: Coup Announcement:  A group of military personnel, calling themselves the " Military Committee for Refoundation ," appeared on state TV early Sunday, announcing Talon's dis

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated he had a "very constructive" phone call with US Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Discussions centered on how to ensure Russia adheres to any potential peace agreement, emphasizing his determination to continue working with the US. These talks, which included Ukrainian officials participating remotely from Miami (Florida) for the third day, coincided with the continuation of wide

Israeli media outlets reported today, Thursday, the killing of Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of the so-called "Popular Forces," by an armed group in the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. An Israeli source confirmed that Abu Shabab  was transferred to Soroka Hospital, where he died of his injuries. Israeli assessments suggest the incident is an internal conflict  and was not orchestrated by Hamas , contrary to some reports coming from the Gaza Strip. Background of the "Popular

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated today, Thursday, that Russia will establish control over the Donbas region "by any means possible," as he commented on the ongoing negotiations regarding a peace plan for Ukraine. Putin  explained that the US side divided the 27 points of US President Donald Trump's  Ukraine peace plan into four packages and proposed discussing them separately. He noted that the US proposals, which were based on prior understandings with Trump  during t

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed today, Wednesday, that the ongoing talks with Israel within the framework of the Ceasefire Committee do not amount to "peace negotiations." Salam  explained to journalists that the purpose of the " Ceasefire Committee " is to provide the "forum... to implement the declaration of cessation of hostilities." He clearly added: " We have not yet reached the stage of peace talks ." These statements come in response to Israeli Prime Mini