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Israel elections to be held on October 27: parliament

Israel will hold national elections on October 27, the last date allowed by law, its parliament said on Sunday, with the vote widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership since the Gaza war erupted. "Since the current Knesset is expected to serve its full term and the next general election is already set by law for October 27, with no intention of shortening the legislature's tenure, there is no need to enact a Knesset Dissolution Law in the usual sense," parliament said in a statement.

With Israeli parliament set to dissolve in the coming days, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is racing to pass a series of bills

Israeli attacks in Gaza kill six people, including a girl, medics say

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO, July 12 (Reuters) - Israeli attacks killed at least six people in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, including a 9-year-old girl, Palestinian health officials said, as mediators held more talks to safeguard the U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

Medics said Israeli gunfire directed at a tent encampment on the eastern side of the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza killed 9-year-old Tala Abu Matar. The Israeli military said it was not aware of the incident.

Smoke rises following an Israeli strike on a metal foundry in Gaza City, July 12, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas

New Syrian parliament meets for first time in Damascus

By Khalil Ashawi

DAMASCUS, July 12 (Reuters) - Syria's new parliament convened for the first time on Sunday, 19 months after rebels led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad, a milestone in the country's political transition despite the chamber's current limited powers.

Sharaa, in a speech at parliament in Damascus, told lawmakers to "make this council a model of responsibility and competence" and described it as "a platform for truth and justice".

Members of Syria's newly formed People's Assembly attend the body's inaugural session, the first parliament session since the end of the rule of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, July 12, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

Trump says Strait of Hormuz open to commercial traffic

WASHINGTON, July 12 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial traffic, though the U.S. and Iran continue to trade attacks that have raised concerns over safety on one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

Trump's comments were made during an interview on NBC's Meet the Press.

(Reporting by Jarrett RenshawEditing by David Goodman)

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

Syrian transitional parliament holds first session

Syria's transitional parliament began its first session on Sunday, state television reported, tasked with drafting the country's new constitution and laying the groundwork for democracy after decades of authoritarian rule. The session began on Sunday with 206 members, excluding those from Druze-majority Sweida province in the south and one member who died between being named and the parliament convening.

This handout picture taken and released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency shows Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaking during the first meeting of the transitional parliament in Damascus

US-Iran strikes: latest developments

US military strikes on Iranian targets entered a second day on Monday in a surge of renewed fighting over the status of the Strait of Hormuz that is endangering a fragile interim agreement and sending oil prices spiking. Oil prices jump as US hits Iran Oil prices opened sharply higher in Tokyo on Monday after the United States launched a wave of attacks on Iran and as Tehran announced it would close the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran said it was again closing the Strait of Hormuz

US senator and Trump ally Lindsey Graham dies aged 71

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, an influential ally of President Donald Trump and advocate of hawkish US foreign policy, has died unexpectedly aged 71, his office said. - Foreign policy hawk - Graham's death comes as the weeks-long hospitalization of former Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell rattles the party.

Prominent US Senator Lindsey Graham, a key ally of President Donald Trump, died on Saturday aged 71 following a "brief and sudden illness," his office said

Former Qatar ruler Sheikh Hamad, a moderniser who seized power, has died

By Andrew Mills

DOHA, July 12 (Reuters) - Qatar's former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, a sweeping moderniser who seized power in 1995 and broke with tradition to hand it over to his son 18 years later, has died at the age of 74.

Qatar's top government body, the Amiri Diwan, announced that Sheikh Hamad had died on Sunday morning. It did not mention the cause of his death.

The Qatar that the current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani inherited was already well on its way to being remade by his father.

FILE PHOTO: The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, looks on before his meeting with Indian Prime Minster Manmohan Singh (not in picture) in New Delhi, India April 14, 2005. REUTERS/B Mathur/File Photo

Israeli officials offer their condolences after death of US Senator Lindsey Graham

July 12 (Reuters) - Israel's prime minister and other leading officials offered their condolences on Sunday for the death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, saying they had lost a dear friend.

"Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

"Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend."

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman visit the border line between Israel and Syria at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights March 11, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo

Former emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, dies at 74

DUBAI, July 12 (Reuters) - Qatar's former emir, who revolutionised Qatar out of its Bedouin background to a regional powerhouse, has died at the age of 74, the nation's Amiri Diwan, its top government body, said on Sunday.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, before abdicating to his son Sheikh Tamim, the current leader of the gas-rich Gulf country.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Gulf Cup - Group A - Qatar v Iraq - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - November 26, 2019 Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani during the opening ceremony REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari/File Photo