Explainer SDF chief Kobane’s Damascus visit a high wire act for Syria’s Kurds The SDF says its integration with Damascus is complete, but major questions remain over its fighters, weapons and the future of Kurdish self-rule. Syria
Houthis claim strike on Saudi oil tanker off Yanbu: What to know The incident is the latest in a string of Houthi attacks targeting Saudi oil and military assets. Yemen
Ex-defense minister: Israel in ‘worst possible’ Gaza situation as Hamas gains strength Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant criticized the Israeli government for allowing Hamas to retain control over half of the Gaza Strip. Israel
Wreck of ship sunk by Israeli military in Irgun clash found after 78 years The wreck of the Irgun underground's Altalena ship, bombed by the Israeli military in 1948 and deliberately sunk in 1949, was located off Israel's coast at a depth of 1,650 feet. Israel
Analysis Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Lebanon seizes Captagon shipment bound for central Africa, Gulf Lebanon's latest bust comes as US sanctions and other measures work to counter trafficking in the country. Lebanon
Israel's Herzog calls Abbas, condemns settler violence against Palestinians Speaking on the phone with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli President Isaac Herzog slammed the violent rampage of settlers in recent days in several Palestinian villages. Israel
Israel thanks Cyprus for stopping alleged Iranian plan to attack Israelis Israel is expressing gratitude to Cypriot authorities who reportedly stopped an Iranian attack on Israelis in the country, where Iran was accused of plotting to attack Israelis back in 2021. Israel
Lebanon’s Hezbollah says it downed Israeli drone on border The Israeli army acknowledged the downing, saying the drone crashed in Lebanese territory during routine activity. Lebanon
South Syria increasingly unstable even as normalization proceeds with Assad Economic turmoil and failed attempts at reconciliation over a decade after the beginning of Syria's civil war keep the country on unstable footing. Syria
Analysis Israel’s control challenged by Hezbollah in north, restive West Bank Growing settler violence without the army or law enforcement agencies reacting reflects a worrying phenomenon — of the Israeli government losing control across the board. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Palestinian Authority reports 310 attacks by Israeli settlers in West Bank Violence is ongoing since a Monday Israeli raid in Jenin that killed seven Palestinians and included rare airstrikes. Palestine
Knesset member threatens to 'blow up' Palestinian, Israeli orphans' summer camp A debate at the Knesset Education Committee meeting grew heated over a summer camp for Israeli and Palestinian orphans, threatening the funding of a venerable Israeli children's institution. Israel
Five Palestinians killed in Israel's West Bank raid as Hamas leader visits Iran The latest violence left five Palestinians dead and wounded at least 91 more, while the Israeli army said seven of its troops were injured in the fighting. Palestine
In new purge, Iran expels independent, Reformist professors Iran's hard-line government is forcing its own critics out of universities. Iran
Lebanon: Argentina issues arrest warrant for 4 Hezbollah operatives in AMIA bombing The four suspects are linked to the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people and injured hundreds. Lebanon
Lebanon's Hezbollah denies links to suspects in killing of UN Irish peacekeeper Hezbollah officials have denied court findings that five people formally accused of killing an Irish soldier of the UNIFIL last year were members of Hezbollah. Lebanon
