LiveLive Updates May 31, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeMay 31, 2026Updates7 hours agoSyrian President discusses the lifting of remaining U.S. sanctions with TrumpU.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa by phone Sunday, the Syrian Presidency said. Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus in March. Credit: Khalil Ashawi/ REUTERSSyria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus in March.Credit: Khalil Ashawi/ REUTERSAccording to the statement, the two discussed lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria, which al-Sharaa said were essential to reviving his country's economy. RECAP: 17-year-old girl seriously wounded in suspected West Bank stabbing attack Here are Sunday's latest updates from the U.S.-Iran cease-fire and Israel's war with Hezbollah:■ Two Israeli teens were wounded, one seriously, after a vehicle struck several people at a major West Bank intersection, medics said. ■ U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News that Iran's military has not been targeted as aggressively as other parts of the regime because Washington views it as "somewhat moderate."■ The IDF said its forces have reached the Beaufort Castle area in southern Lebanon and are establishing a presence there.■ IDF Staff Sgt. Michael Tyukin, 21, from Ashkelon, was killed by a drone attack in southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to the IDF.■ The Gaza Health Ministry said that one person was killed and eight people were wounded in the past 24 hours.■ Iran will not ‌accept any agreement ending its ⁠conflict with the ⁠U.S. unless there is certainty that the Iranian people's rights are ‌secured, top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said, according to state media.■ A Palestinian was shot and wounded in his lower back by Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.■ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading efforts to stabilize the Israel-Lebanon cease-fire and is expected to announce a new agreement following political track negotiations in Washington Tuesday, the privately owned Lebanon Broadcasting Corporation International reported, citing sources.■ France requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council following the recent escalation in Lebanon.■ Far-right Israeli ministers, including Bezalel Smotrich, were among the record-size Israeli Knesset delegation marching in the annual Israel Day parade in Manhattan.8 hours agoSmotrich, far-right ministers lead largest ever Knesset delegation to New York's Israel Day Parade NEW YORK – Far-right Israeli ministers, including Bezalel Smotrich, were among the record-size Israeli Knesset delegation marching in the annual Israel Day parade in Manhattan on Sunday. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich leads a delegation of Israeli ministers at the annual Israel Day parade, Sunday Credit: Liri AgamiFar-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich leads a delegation of Israeli ministers at the annual Israel Day parade, Sunday Credit: Liri AgamiFloats from a range of different Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, from the Jewish National Fund to the Jewish War Veterans, moved down Fifth Avenue to the backdrop of blaring Israeli pop music. Thousands of people are taking part, while Mayor Zohran Mamdani decided to skip the event, making him the first mayor in the parade's 61-year history to do so. The Israeli delegation, led by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, was presented as part of efforts to bolster Israel's image in the United States and counter growing criticism of the country in New York and beyond. Far-right Ministers Ofir Sofer and Amichai Eliyahu are in attendance, alongside lawmakers Yitzhak Wasserlauf and Ariel Kallner.Demonstrators gather to protest the annual Israel Day Parade in New York City, Sunday. Credit: Liri AgamiDemonstrators gather to protest the annual Israel Day Parade in New York City, Sunday. Credit: Liri AgamiA group of roughly 25 protesters affiliated with Israelis for Peace and Friends of Standing Together had gathered along the parade route to protest the delegation, who one protester told Haaretz "are here doing empty hasbara while Israelis have been running to shelters for three years.""While Gaza lies in ruins and is still under attack, as is the West Bank, as is Lebanon – they're here doing empty hasbara and feeling victorious. For what? They should be in mourning," she added.Also among those attending are Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, state Attorney General Letitia James, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, City Council Speaker Julie Menin and New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.Four people wounded in suspected West Bank ramming attack, medics say Four Israelis were wounded Sunday after a vehicle struck several people at a major West Bank intersection, medics said. The vehicle used in a suspected West Bank ramming attack on Sunday. Credit: Used in accordance with section 27A of Israel's Copyright LawThe vehicle used in a suspected West Bank ramming attack on Sunday. Credit: Used in accordance with section 27A of Israel's Copyright LawAccording to the Israeli military, initial reports indicate a suspected ramming attack at the Gush Etzion Junction north of Bethlehem. Magen David Adom, Israel's national ambulance service, said a 17-year-old girl was seriously wounded, and a 15-year-old girl was moderately wounded. They were transported to a Jerusalem hospital, MDA said. Paramedics at the scene described the scene of the attack as a "commotion," and said the 17-year-old was "fully conscious and suffering from severe injuries to her lower limbs." The 15-year-old was in "light condition and suffering from facial injuries," the medics said. Gush Etzion Regional Council head Yaron Rosenthal described the incident as a "serious terror attack." Speaking on the scene, he said, "A terrorist attempted to run over a group of boys and girls," adding that the assailant was "quickly neutralized" by the Israeli military"Our hold here at the Gush Etzion Junction began 100 years ago," Rosenthal said. "We have faced many challenges; even today is a difficult day. With God's help, we will continue our presence here in the good mountain of Gush Etzion."Read the full articleNetanyahu nominates former Shin Bet commander as national security adviser following extended vacancy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that former Shin Bet security agency commander Shmuel Ben Ezra will head Israel's National Security Council and serve as national security adviser. Shmuel Ben Ezra, in a handout from the Prime Minister's Office. Credit: Prime Minister's Office Shmuel Ben Ezra, in a handout from the Prime Minister's Office.Credit: Prime Minister's Office Ben Ezra will assume the role following the firing of Tzachi Hanegbi in October amid a dispute over Israel's war in Gaza. Deputy NSC director Gil Reich served as acting director until Ben Ezra's appointment.The NSC director and national security adviser are appointed personally by the prime minister, making it difficult to fill the position ahead of the 2026 elections. If Netanyahu loses the October elections, Ben Ezra is expected to be dismissed.Several names were floated as possible candidates in recent months, but none took the role. Netanyahu's crisis of confidence in Hanegbi, who was considered a close confidant, and his subsequent firing of him, also complicated the selection process.Read the full article11 hours agoBennett criticizes Mamdani for not attending annual Israel Day paradeFormer Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett criticized New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Sunday for not attending the annual Israel Day Parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. "The mayor of New York City has cowardly chosen not to attend, and that sends a message," Bennett said in a post on X. "To him, I would say: leadership means showing up for all New Yorkers, including the Jews who call this city home." Today, thousands of New Yorkers will march in celebration of Israel.