By Olivia Le Poidevin

GENEVA, July 8 (Reuters) - A United Nations inquiry on Wednesday expressed concern at reports of abuse against a prominent Palestinian doctor seized by the Israeli military in Gaza in December 2024 and still being held in Israel and urged his release.

The U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, called for the immediate release of Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Gaza Strip.

ANKARA, July 8 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that NATO allies must lift defence-industry restrictions among them, pressing the case for Ankara to break into some Europe-only initiatives.

"Restrictions among allies on defence cooperation, especially in the defence industry, must be lifted," Erdogan told the opening of a summit of NATO leaders in Ankara.

"At a time when a model of cooperation based on common sense and reason is possible, excluding allies that are not members of the (European) Union would lead to artificial divisions in Europe."

By Emily Rose

JERUSALEM, July 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of Defense ​Pete Hegseth canceled a meeting that had been scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an Israeli source told Reuters.

Any such sale would likely anger Israeli officials. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Hegseth had also been scheduled to meet Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on a trip to Israel and that Iran would feature in their discussions.

By Emily Chow and Florence Tan

SINGAPORE, July 8 (Reuters) - At least four oil and gas tankers have turned back from attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, ship-tracking data showed, as renewed attacks on vessels in the critical waterway heightened safety and security concerns.

ANKARA, July 8 (Reuters) - The new attacks by the U.S. on Iran were "absolutely necessary," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday.

The U.S. military unleashed a new wave of strikes against Iran on Tuesday and revoked a license allowing Tehran to sell oil after three tankers were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, putting pressure on an already fragile ceasefire.

July 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. military unleashed a new wave of strikes against Iran on Tuesday and revoked a license allowing the country to sell oil after three tankers were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, putting pressure on an already fragile ceasefire.

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON, July 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. Central Command said on Tuesday it completed a new round of strikes on Iran and that it had struck over 80 targets during its latest attacks.

Along with unleashing a new wave of strikes against Iran, Washington had also revoked a license allowing the country to sell oil after three tankers were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz.