LiveLive Updates June 01, 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 formatSubscribeJune 01, 2026UpdatesOpposition party leader: Iran deal would be a 'catastrophe'Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the opposition party Yisrael Beiteinu, sharply criticized ongoing negotiations with Tehran, saying a potential agreement with Iran would be "a catastrophe."Speaking at a conference hosted by Yedioth Ahronoth and Sapir College, Liberman argued that "every future confrontation will be more deadly than the previous one" and said a lasting resolution of the Iranian threat could be achieved "only through regime change in Iran."Liberman also said he was the only opposition leader with a proven record to serve as Israel's next prime minister.Iran's parliament speaker: U.S. blockade, Israeli actions in Lebanon show cease-fire violationsIranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said the U.S. naval blockade and what he described as an escalation of Israeli "war crimes" in Lebanon are clear evidence of American noncompliance with the cease-fire.Destroyed buildings hit in Israeli airstrikes are seen in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Sunday, May 31, 2026. Credit: /AP Destroyed buildings hit in Israeli airstrikes are seen in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Sunday, May 31, 2026. Credit: /AP In a post on X, Qalibaf said that Washington's actions undermine efforts to maintain the truce and accused the United States of failing to uphold its commitments under the agreement.Former PM Bennett: IDF forced to withdraw from captured areas due to troop shortagesFormer Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the IDF has been forced to withdraw from territory it captured because it lacks sufficient manpower to hold it, arguing that the shortage is costing soldiers' lives.Speaking at a conference hosted by Yedioth Ahronoth and Sapir College, Bennett called the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews "the most existential issue facing the state" and said he now supports imposing economic sanctions on those who refuse military or civilian service.Bennett also said that as prime minister, he pushed for the assassination of Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif in 2022, but the plan was never carried out after his government collapsed.Kuwait condemns Iranian attacks, says it has right to defend territoryKuwait condemned what it described as Iranian attacks on its territory, saying the strikes undermine efforts to reduce tensions in the region.In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said Kuwait reserves the right to take "all necessary measures" to defend its territory and security.No cease-fire in Israel's north, Israeli minister saysEducation Minister Yoav Kisch said Israel has not yet achieved victory over Hamas, Hezbollah or Iran, and that fighting on multiple fronts remains unresolved."There is no cease-fire in the north, there is war," Kisch said at a conference hosted by Yedioth Ahronoth and Sapir College. A local resident walks past the site struck by a rocket fired from Lebanon on Saturday in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel, Sunday, May 31, 2026. Credit: Ariel Schalit/AP A local resident walks past the site struck by a rocket fired from Lebanon on Saturday in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel, Sunday, May 31, 2026. Credit: Ariel Schalit/AP Addressing Iran's nuclear program, Kisch said Israel remains committed to preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon regardless of U.S. policy. "Even without President Trump, the State of Israel is committed to ensuring that Iran does not have nuclear weapons," he said. "If the Americans do not act to prevent it, we are obligated to do so."Iran says U.S. strikes violated cease-fire, prompted retaliationIranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said recent U.S. military action constituted a violation of the cease-fire and led Iran's armed forces to target positions from which the American attack originated, according to Iranian state media. Baghaei also called on Kuwait to clarify the status of four detained Iranian citizens "as soon as possible," amid heightened tensions following the latest exchange of strikes between Washington and Tehran. Court denies Netanyahu's request to leave trial hearing early for government ceremonyPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked to leave a hearing in his criminal trial before it concluded to attend a ceremony marking the appointment of a new head of the Defense Ministry's security directorate.Presiding Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman pushed back on the request, saying the court had repeatedly adjusted its schedule to accommodate delays and that, absent an urgent security matter, proceedings should continue as planned.The judges ultimately agreed to extend the lunch recess by 30 minutes, allowing Netanyahu additional time to attend the event.Israeli Supreme Court president warns against efforts to undermine trust in electionsIsraeli Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit warned against attempts to erode public confidence in the integrity of elections and their results, speaking at the Israel Bar Association's annual conference in Eilat.Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit in September. Credit: Yonatan ZindlerSupreme Court President Yitzhak Amit in September. Credit: Yonatan Zindler"The phenomenon of fake content raises concerns in many other areas of life as well," Amit said. "If anything can be forged, why believe anything? This creates a danger to the very existence of elections and the democratic system."Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Itai Ofir are also scheduled to speak at the conference.Lebanese president cites 'brutal Israeli aggression' in call to rebuild stateLebanese President Joseph Aoun said Lebanon is facing "brutal Israeli aggression" and renewed his call for strengthening state institutions in an X post marking the anniversary of former Prime Minister Rashid Karami's assassination.He added that Lebanon would continue working "to end the suffering" of its people, particularly residents of the south. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun speaks during a press conference after the EU Summit in Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, April 24, 2026. Credit: Petros Karadjias/AP Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun speaks during a press conference after the EU Summit in Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, April 24, 2026. Credit: Petros Karadjias/AP RECAP: Netanyahu orders strikes on Beirut; Iran and the U.S. exchange fire amid negotiations to end warHere are Monday's latest updates from the U.S.-Iran cease-fire and Israel's war with Hezbollah:■ The U.S. said it carried out strikes on Iranian drone and radar sites after Tehran allegedly downed an American drone over international waters; Iran later said it targeted an air base in response. ■ President Donald Trump said Iran "really wants" a deal and insisted any agreement would prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.■ Iran plans to submit new amendments to a proposed cease-fire memorandum with Washington and has not accepted changes proposed by Trump, according to an Iranian state news agency.■ Netanyahu ordered strikes on Beirut, citing cease-fire violations, in a joint statement with the defense minister amid increased Hezbollah fire reaching deeper into northern Israel. ■ Several European countries criticized Israel's deepening offensive in Lebanon, with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper saying Israeli actions had "eroded space for diplomacy" and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul calling the advance "cause for serious concern."■ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to advance a new cease-fire proposal between Israel and Hezbollah.■ President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed lifting remaining U.S. sanctions on Syria, which Damascus says are crucial to reviving the country's economy.In the NewsThe Empty Triumph of Israel's Latest Conquest in LebanonIran Cuts Talks With U.S. Amid Israeli Strikes on Lebanon, Iranian Report SaysGroundhog's Day in Lebanon: Waking Up in 1982Why the Bank of Israel Isn't Fighting the Dollar's Sharp Decline: TrumpIsrael's Top Judge Warns Against Efforts to Undermine Election ResultsRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIIsrael Orders Unprecedented Seizure of Religious Site From Palestinian AuthorityIsrael 2026 Election Poll Tracker: The Latest ProjectionsUN Report Accuses Israeli Forces of Rape, Sexual Abuse of Palestinian DetaineesNot Lapid or Bennett: Could This Former IDF Chief Be Israel's Next Leader?Pentagon Leaks Signal U.S. Effort to Blame Israel for Risks of Renewed Iran WarAfter October 7, More and More Americans and Britons Are Choosing Judaism. 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