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, 2026UpdatesSenior opposition lawmaker says Israeli troops are being sacrificed in Lebanon to please far-right ministersThe Israeli government is sacrificing its soldiers in southern Lebanon, a senior opposition lawmaker said Monday. Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman speaks to reporters in Jerusalem, June. Credit: Olivier FitoussiYisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman speaks to reporters in Jerusalem, June. Credit: Olivier FitoussiSpeaking on Israel's Army Radio, Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman said troops told him they are being kept in southern Lebanon "to satisfy" far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, and that "their hands are tied" because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to placate U.S. President Donald Trump.The emerging U.S.-Iran deal is the "greatest diplomatic disaster" since the establishment of the State of Israel, Lieberman added. He advised members of the government to leave in disgrace, saying, "Any reasonable person would resign, and that would be the end of it.71 vessels transit Strait of Hormuz after blockade ends, ship-tracking data showsSeventy-one vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz from Friday through Sunday, ship-tracking service MarineTraffic said Monday, marking a noticeable increase in traffic since the lifting of the blockade last week.MarineTraffic data visualization showing vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz from Friday through Sunday. MarineTraffic/XCommercial vessels are increasingly transiting the strait with their location transponders activated, a sign of operators' improved confidence, MarineTraffic said.However, traffic through the strait remains below prewar levels, the report said, and many vessels are still using routes designated by Iran or so-called dark routes.Palestinian reports: Two killed in Israeli vehicle strike in Gaza CityTwo people, one of whom was a high school-aged girl, were killed in an Israeli strike targeting a vehicle in Gaza City, according to Palestinian reports.Raghad Hussein Ashour, an 18-year-old high school student, was on her way to take electronic exams when she was killed by the strike, according to reports.Pakistan says U.S. and Iran agree to commence further technical talksPakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said discussions yielded agreement on establishment of high-level committee for political oversight, allowing the commencement of further technical talks.Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani at the Burgenstock hotel, Switzerland, on Sunday. Credit: Fabrice Coffrini/ReutersPakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani at the Burgenstock hotel, Switzerland, on Sunday. Credit: Fabrice Coffrini/ReutersOvernight into Monday, Qatar and Pakistan said a high-level committee has been established to provide "political oversight" of the talks. According to the statement, chief negotiators will lead working groups on the nuclear issue, sanctions, and dispute resolution, and will report regularly to the committee.2 hours agoIranian delegation leaves Switzerland for Tehran, state media says The Iranian delegation to U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland has left for Tehran, the official Iranian news agency IRNA, said Monday. According to the report, technical talks at the Qatari-onwed Burgenstock resort are scheduled to continue until the end of the week.2 hours agoIsrael's president condemns criticism of U.S. officials, warns over Iran deal and HezbollahPresident Isaac Herzog condemned criticism of senior U.S. officials on Monday, emphasizing Israel's close coordination with Washington on regional security issues and calling U.S. President Donald Trump a "trusted partner" and "closest friend and ally" of Israel.Speaking at a JNS conference, Herzog said he "totally reject[s] any derogatory statements aimed at senior officials in the administration" and expressed confidence that Israel and the United States could find "the best formula" for addressing the challenge posed by Iran.Referring to U.S.-Iran talks, Herzog said Tehran's nuclear ambitions remain a threat to Israel and global security, while warning that any financial components of a future agreement must not allow funds to be diverted to Iran's military and regional proxies.On Lebanon, Herzog said the conflict should be resolved through direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, "not by Iranian extortion." He said Hezbollah's disarmament must be part of any solution and added that "Iran cannot dictate the future of Lebanon." He noted that talks between Israel and Lebanon are set to resume in Washington on Tuesday under U.S. auspices.U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces resignation amid growing pressure from his partyU.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday after mounting pressure from within the governing Labour Party, saying he will remain as caretaker prime minister until a new leader is elected in the coming weeks.Starmer, who led Labour to a landslide election victory in 2024, has faced declining approval ratings and growing internal criticism. His resignation follows the election of intraparty rival Andy Burnham to Parliament last week, making Burnham the frontrunner to succeed him as Labour leader and prime minister.Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes a statement on his future outside 10 Downing Street on the morning of June 22, 2026, in London. Credit: AFP/ADRIAN DENNISBritain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes a statement on his future outside 10 Downing Street on the morning of June 22, 2026, in London. Credit: AFP/ADRIAN DENNIS'Technical' U.S.-Iran talks to begin in Switzerland on Monday, Iranian media reports"Technical talks" between Iran and the United States on implementing their memorandum of understanding and establishing related working groups will begin in Switzerland on Monday, the Iranian Students' News Agency reported.According to the report, Iran's delegation will be led by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and include political, economic and legal experts. Representatives from mediator countries Qatar and Pakistan are also expected to participate, while Iran's senior negotiating team has returned to Tehran.3 hours agoU.S. diplomat: The discussions with Iran are ongoing, anticipated to continue through the nightThe first day of talks between the United States and Iran focused on deconfliction mechanisms in the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon, a senior U.S. diplomat said overnight into Monday. According to the offical, talks focused on "clarifying some of the confusing messaging from Iran," and included "robust discussions on all elements of the nuclear deal."Contrary to what the diplomat said was "rampant false reporting," the Iranian delegation was engaged in "constant meetings and negotiations" with the United States since U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Burgenstock, Switzerland, the qatari-owned resort where the summit is taking place. In the NewsQatar, Pakistan Announce Lebanon 'Deconfliction Cell', With No Mention of IsraelRecognizing Palestine, Sanctioning Settlers: Keir Starmer's Legacy on IsraelIsrael Lifts All Restrictions in North, May Discuss Limited Lebanon WithdrawalHaaretz CartoonWest Bank Settlements Announce New Light Rail; Transport Ministry: No Such PlanRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIIsrael Is Conducting a Systematic Campaign of Ethnic Cleansing in the West BankNetanyahu's Mouthpieces Turn on Trump, Revealing a Deeper Israeli IngratitudeIsrael Is Bleeding Support in U.S. and Pouring Tens of Millions to Change ThatTrump and Netanyahu Hurtling Toward a Rupture That Could Shock U.S.-Israel TiesReport: Netanyahu 'Likely' to Sabotage Iran Deal, U.S. Officials Tell TrumpTrump's Iran Deal Castrates Netanyahu, but It's Still Catastrophic for Israel