LiveLive Updates June 24, 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 24, 2026Israel demanding clarity on missing pilot in talks on south Lebanon pilot zones, Lebanese media reportsThe second round of Israel-Lebanon talks is set to take place in Washington on Wednesday under U.S. mediation, focused on defining the south Lebanon pilot zones to be handed to Lebanon's Armed Forces, as well as ways to strengthen the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanese newspaper Ad-Diyar reported.Beaufort Castle is pictured from the town of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon on Tuesday. Credit: AFP/FADEL ITANIBeaufort Castle is pictured from the town of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon on Tuesday. Credit: AFP/FADEL ITANIAccording to the report, U.S. Central Command has been tasked with establishing a military operations room to oversee, monitor and track the situation in southern Lebanon, paving the way for the dismantling of the existing mechanism.According to Lebanese daily Al Akhbar, Israel is demanding that Lebanon's army be stationed in the Ali al-Taher ridge and destroy Hezbollah's facilities under U.S. supervision. Israel is also demanding that Lebanon disclose the fate of the Israeli pilot Ron Arad, who went missing in Lebanon in 1986, and propose an offer to return his remains before Lebanese POWs are released, the report said. Also according to the report, Israel is seeking to keep a foothold in the buffer zone in southern Lebanon and is requesting direct military coordination with Lebanon to carry out these measures.IDF chief tells rabbis the army will continue to integrate women in combat rolesIDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said the military will continue to work to expand the integration of women in key positions and in combat roles without compromise. The army chief made the remarks at a meeting with yeshiva rabbis from the Religious Zionist community.IDF chief Eyal Zamir. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitIDF chief Eyal Zamir. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitQatari PM: Mechanism in place to prevent Lebanon escalation, Israel exaggerating response to clashesQatar's Prime Minister Mohammed al-Thani said there is a mechanism in place to prevent escalation in Lebanon that includes verifying the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, the Financial Times reported.Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani speaks prior to a quadrilateral meeting between the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, Sunday. Credit: Fabrice Coffrini,AP Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani speaks prior to a quadrilateral meeting between the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, Sunday. Credit: Fabrice Coffrini,AP Al-Thani also told the paper that Israel is exaggerating its response to clashes instead of de-escalating, and that coordination between Beirut, Washington, Tehran and mediators was working to prevent escalation.On the Strait of Hormuz, whose closure for much of the war with Iran has affected the global economy, al-Thani said the Strait remains open and that no order has been issued to close it. Establishing a direct line between Washington and Tehran would be essential for the removal of mines and keeping the waterway open, the prime minister told the Financial Times.Qatar will also oppose any Iranian plan to charge tolls on crossing the Strait, al-Thani said, adding that it would be unacceptable for the world's gateway to be under the control of a single party. Any model for managing the Strait of Hormuz must be discussed with Iran, Oman and the Gulf states, the Qatari prime minister told the Financial Times.The Qatari leader also said that the four-way talks in Switzerland laid the foundation for negotiations on a permanent settlement and that the work was just beginning. The regional goal now is to build a new security framework between Iran and the countries in the region, al-Thani said.Four South Korean-operated vessels exit Strait of Hormuz, leaving 18, ministry saysFour vessels operated by South Korean shippers have exited the Strait of Hormuz and are sailing to their destinations, one to South Korea and the others to third countries, the country's maritime ministry said on Wednesday.Eighteen of the 26 vessels that had been stranded since the start of the Middle East conflict remain in the Gulf, it said.Earlier, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported two vessels operated by HMM 011200.KS, including a very large crude carrier destined for South Korea, had passed the strait.Oman announces temporary maritime corridor for Hormuz trafficOman said on Tuesday it had coordinated with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to provide a temporary maritime corridor for vessels seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz, state news agency reported.The vessels wanting to use the temporary corridor would need to coordinate with the IMO, based on coordinates announced by the organisation and Omani authorities, it added.The measure was aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway in line with international law and the law of the sea, which uphold freedom of navigation without imposing transit fees.U.S. Senate votes to halt Iran war unless Trump gets approval from CongressSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer points to a poster that reads 'If Trump won't end the war, Congress MUST,' at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC, last week. Credit: Getty Images via AFP/ANDREW HARNIKSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer points to a poster that reads 'If Trump won't end the war, Congress MUST,' at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC, last week. Credit: Getty Images via AFP/ANDREW HARNIKThe U.S. Senate voted 50-48 on Tuesday to approve a resolution directing President Donald Trump to end U.S. involvement in the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes its continuation, according to The New York Times.Four Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the measure, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against it. The House approved the resolution earlier this month.See full story.U.S. eases restrictions on Iran's world cup team, allowing them in a day earlierThe United States eased ‌restrictions on the Iran squad's travel arrangements at the World ⁠Cup on Tuesday, allowing them to travel two days before their ⁠next match, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said. The Iranian team was previously only allowed to enter the U.S. a day before a match, a move that led the coach to ‌say Iran were "the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup."France's Manu Kone (6) and Iran's Ali Alipour (11) battle for the ball during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, U.S., on Monday. Credit: Petr David Josek/AP France's Manu Kone (6) and Iran's Ali Alipour (11) battle for the ball during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia, U.S., on Monday. Credit: Petr David Josek/AP "For the ‌Iranian team's third match in Seattle on June 26, the team has been permitted to come into the U.S. two days before the match," a DHS spokesperson said. The Iran team will still be required to leave the day the match ends. The overall security measures and protocol are the same. We remain committed to providing the safest tournament possible for players, staff, and fans alike."FIFA and ⁠the Iranian team did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Iran expressed intent last week to lodge a complaint ‌with soccer's world governing body⁠, FIFA, over the travel restrictions the team has ‌been facing, commuting from their tournament base in Tijuana, Mexico, the day ahead of their games in the United States. The restrictions ⁠come amid high tensions between Washington and Tehran following a nearly four-month war. In March, U.S. President Donald Trump said while Iran was welcome to participate in the tournament, he believed ‌it was not appropriate that they remain there between matches "for their own life and safety."In the NewsMamdani-backed Brad Lander Defeats Dan Goldman in NY-10 Democratic PrimaryReport: Israel-Lebanon to Define 'Pilot Zones' Under Lebanese Military ControlPM Working on Deal With Haredi Parties: Judicial Overhaul for Draft Evasion DealPolice Arrest Former Arab Israeli Lawmaker for Alleged Incitement in 2022 SpeechIsraelis Are Being Burned by Their Love of Netanyahu's LiesRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIWhere Does Andy Burnham Stand on Israel and Palestine?Israel Is Conducting a Systematic Campaign of Ethnic Cleansing in the West BankAs the World Watched Gaza, Israeli Settlers Charged Ahead in the West Bank. 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