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, 2026UpdatesSyrian president says country will support Lebanon economically, not militarily, in rebuke of Trump Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Syria remains opposed to any military involvement in Lebanon and is instead seeking to support stability through political and economic cooperation. Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is seen in this screengrab from a Sunday interview with Dubai-based Al Mashhad TV. Credit: Al Mashhad/YouTube Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is seen in this screengrab from a Sunday interview with Dubai-based Al Mashhad TV. Credit: Al Mashhad/YouTube In an interview with Dubai-based Al Mashhad television on Sunday, al-Sharaa said Damascus had been in contact with U.S. President Donald Trump as part of efforts to help calm the conflict in Lebanon, stressing that Syria's role should be "positive" and aimed at supporting stability."We are looking for economic channels between Lebanon and Syria, not military ones," al-Sharaa said, adding that any solution to the Lebanese crisis should include a cease-fire and political, economic and social measures rather than military action.He warned that any uncalculated intervention in Lebanon could further destabilize the region, describing the conflict's impact on both countries as severe.Al-Sharaa also said he would not rule out dialogue with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia if it served the interests of both Lebanon and Syria. "If it serves Lebanon's interests and protects Syria's interests, why not?" he said.The Syrian leader said Damascus supports strengthening Lebanese state institutions and maintaining Lebanon's sovereignty, while emphasizing that lasting stability requires comprehensive political solutions and regional cooperation.His remarks came after Trump repeatedly suggested Syria could play a role in addressing the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Al-Sharaa said some media interpretations of Trump's comments were inaccurate and insisted any Syrian role would take place through official Lebanese institutions rather than direct military involvement.Relations between Syria and Hezbollah have been shaped by Syria's civil war, during which the Lebanese Shiite militia fought alongside former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's forces. Assad was overthrown in 2024 after more than two decades in power, paving the way for the current Syrian leadership. Since then, Hezbollah's influence inside Syria has declined, although reports have continued to suggest the group maintains networks and activities in parts of the country.3 people killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza, Health Ministry says One Palestinian was killed in an Israeli drone strike in Al-Mawasi in the Gaza Strip, medics said, bringing the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza on Monday to three.According to reports, two missiles were fired at a vehicle, killing a medic and wounding several others.The Gaza Health Ministry said Monday three people were killed and 11 were wounded in the 24 hours before 1 P.M. Earlier Monday, two people, including an 18-year-old girl, were killed in an Israeli strike targeting a vehicle in Gaza City, Palestinian media reported. According to reports, Raghad Hussein Ashour, a high school student, was on her way to take exams when she was killed by the strike. Since a cease-fire went into effect in October, 1,024 people have been killed in Gaza and 3,260 have been wounded, according to ministry data.Since the start of the war on Oct. 7, 63,035 people have been killed and 173,368 have been wounded, the Health Ministry said.Senior 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.3 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.3 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.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 ThatWhere Does Andy Burnham Stand on Israel and Palestine?Report: Netanyahu 'Likely' to Sabotage Iran Deal, U.S. Officials Tell TrumpTrump's Iran Deal Castrates Netanyahu, but It's Still Catastrophic for Israel