LiveLive Updates June 22, 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 22, 2026IDF says it killed two Hamas combatants in GazaThe IDF said Sunday that it killed two Hamas operatives in separate strikes in northern Gaza on Saturday, saying both were involved in planning attacks on Israeli forces and had recently violated the cease-fire agreement. Ahmad Munir Khalil Zaza, the engineering officer in the West Jabalia Battalion, was involved in the production and distribution of weapons to the battalion's companies and was responsible for the construction of explosive devices and booby-trapped buildings, the IDF said. According to the IDF, in recent months, Zaza attempted to emplace explosive devices near the Yellow Line in order to harm IDF troops operating in the area.In an additional strike in the northern Gaza Strip, the IDF killed Hussein Safadi, the commander of Hamas' sniper division in Gaza City, who according to the military has recently violated the cease-fire agreement and attempted to train fighters. Safadi was responsible for directing sniper attacks against IDF troops operating in the area throughout the war.An AIPAC Identity Crisis: A Decade Since Fighting Obama on Iran, It Now Faces Trump | AnalysisU.S. Vice President JD Vance prior to a quadrilateral meeting between the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar in Switzerland on Sunday. Credit: Fabrice Coffrini/AP U.S. Vice President JD Vance prior to a quadrilateral meeting between the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar in Switzerland on Sunday. Credit: Fabrice Coffrini/AP WASHINGTON – AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is perhaps the most closely examined element of the U.S.-Israel relationship in this fraught political moment. It also seems to feel the heat more than anyone who is not named Benjamin Netanyahu.With the Israeli government facing the most existential crisis in its ties with Washington in memory – fueled by both U.S. President Donald Trump's Iran diplomacy and Vice President JD Vance's unprecedented attacks on Israel and the government's U.S.-based advocates – AIPAC's initial statements following the emergence of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding clearly indicate its tough position."We look forward to learning the full details of the framework for these negotiations, including whether the deal preserves the sovereign right of our democratic ally Israel to respond to the security threats it confronts," its initial statement read.Read the full articleRECAP: IDF said it killed two Palestinians who threw Molotov cocktails at Israeli settlement in West BankHere are Monday's latest updates:■ Israeli troops shot to death two Palestinians who had thrown Molotov cocktails at the Israeli settlement of Karmei Tzur, in the West Bank's Gush Etzion settlement bloc, causing a fire to break out outside the settlement, the IDF said.■ Ambassador-level talks between Israel and Lebanon in the coming week will determine the "pilot areas" which will be under exclusive Lebanese military control, requiring an IDF withdrawal from some of these areas, an Israeli source told Haaretz.■ Earlier, Defense Minister Israel Katz said that "Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon."■ Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland "delivered major progress to end Lebanon War," due to Qatari and Pakistani mediation.■ In a joint statement, Qatar and Pakistan said the parties agreed to create a "a de-confliction cell... to ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations in Lebanon."■ Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa said in an interview with Al-Mashhad TV that his country is interested in "solving the Hezbollah problem and preserving Lebanon."■ The ⁠Iranian delegation refused to ‌return ‌to the four-way talks in Switzerland ⁠after U.S. President Donald Trump's ‌repeated threats to reignite the war, but ‌messages were ⁠exchanged through ‌Qatari and ⁠Pakistani mediators, Iran's semi-official Tasnim agency said, citing an informed source.■ Trump said he would add The New York Times to a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit due to what he said was "false and ridiculous reporting" on "a very battered and beat up Iran," and calling the paper's coverage "treasonous."■ Responding to criticism from The New York Times, Trump touted U.S. military victories in Iran, saying that the Strait of Hormuz is "open" and that "the oil is gushing."Iran's FM Araghchi says Switzerland talks 'delivered major progress to end Lebanon War'Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland "delivered major progress to end Lebanon War," due to Qatari and Pakistani mediation.In a joint statement, Qatar and Pakistan said the first session of talks was "conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere" and had concluded. "Encouraging progress has been made including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks," the statement read.According to the statement, the parties agreed to establish a "High Level Committee, which will provide political oversight on the mediation," while working groups would focus on nuclear, sanctions, implementation of the memorandum of understanding and other matters. The comittee agreed on a roadmap to reach a final deal within 60 days, the statement said.Joint Statement by the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Regarding The Conclusion of Lake Lucerne Summit, First High-Level Committee Meeting with Participation of the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran