LiveLive Updates July 08, 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 formatSubscribeJuly 08, 2026UpdatesReport: Lebanon agrees to participate in Rome talks with IsraelLebanon has agreed to participate in the U.S.-mediated talks with Israel in Rome after its concerns were addressed and the United States confirmed both its participation and its sponsorship of the talks, Lebanon's MTV channel reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.According to the sources cited by MTV, the negotiations are not expected to be bilateral Israel-Lebanon talks but rather as trilateral negotiations under U.S. auspices.Lebanon will be represented in the negotiations by Ambassador Nada Mouawad and former Ambassador Simon Karam, the sources reportedly said.Reports: Gaza truck driver killed in IDF-held area, four others detainedA truck driver was shot and killed in the IDF-controlled part of the Gaza Strip within the Yellow Line, and four others were detained, according to local reports.The man has been identified as Ahmed Nasr Islem. The fatal shooting reportedly took place in the IDF's Philadelphi Corridor, running along the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt.IDF kills eight, wounds 17 in Gaza in past 24 hours, medics sayThe Israeli military has killed eight people in Gaza, wounding a further 17 within the past 24 hours, the Gaza Health Ministry said.According to the ministry, Israel has killed 1,084 people in Gaza since the cease-fire was announced in October. Medics have treated 3,491 people wounded in Israeli strikes since the cease-fire was announced, the ministry said, adding that teams have recovered 799 bodies trapped under the rubble.The official death toll since the beginning of the Gaza war in 2023 is 73,110, with another 173,599 wounded, medics said.IDF says it thwarted cigarette smuggling into Gaza, 'hidden in hundreds of pineapples'A cigarette shipment concealed in pineapples confiscated on its way to the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitA cigarette shipment concealed in pineapples confiscated on its way to the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitThe Israeli military said it prevented the smuggling of "thousands of cigarettes" into the Gaza Strip, adding that the shipment was "concealed inside hundreds of pineapples."According to the IDF, the truck with the contraband was carrying an Israeli company's shipment approved under the private-sector aid mechanism and was meant to deliver aid via the Kerem Shalom crossing in the southern Gaza Strip. Instead, the truck was stopped at the Lachish crossing further north on the Gaza border, according to the military."The truck and its entire cargo were confiscated and transferred to the Israel Tax Authority's Customs Directorate and other relevant authorities for further handling," the IDF said in its statement. The Israeli company's aid deliveries into Gaza were "immediately suspended until further notice," according to the IDF.IDF says it killed Hamas militant in Gaza strike, 'mitigated harm' to civiliansThe Israeli military said it killed a militant from Hamas' elite forces in a strike in the southern Gaza Strip, saying he "attempted to recruit new terrorists."The IDF said the man, whom it identified as Mohammed Emad Alrahman Abu Taima, "posed an immediate threat to IDF troops operating in the area," adding that he took part in the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, infiltrating Kibbutz Nirim.The military also said it took steps "to mitigate harm to civilians," but did not specify the number of civilian casualties or whether there were any.Israel-Lebanon talks set for next week in Rome, Beirut's participation unclearState Department Counselor Daniel Holler, Israel's Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon's Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh sign a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, at the State Department in Washington, June. Credit: Ken Cedeno/ReutersState Department Counselor Daniel Holler, Israel's Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon's Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh sign a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, at the State Department in Washington, June. Credit: Ken Cedeno/ReutersThe U.S. State Department has informed Lebanon and Israel of planned talks on July 15–16 in Rome, Italy, to discuss mechanisms for implementing the framework agreement signed by the two sides in Washington late June, Lebanon's Al-Akhbar reported, citing officials in Beirut.According to the sources cited by the newspaper, the proposal to hold the meetings in Rome came from the United States rather than Israel, and a decision on whether the Lebanese delegation will participate is still under consideration.The sources said Lebanon's ambassador to Washington, Nada Mouawad, advised President Joseph Aoun to attend the meeting. Meanwhile, leaks suggest that former ambassador Simon Karam advised both Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam against participating, believing that Israel will not implement any of the measures set to begin following the signing of the memorandum.Karam was quoted as saying that Israel had committed, the day after the memorandum was signed, to hand over positions north of the Litani River and a village south of it to the Lebanese Army, but later reversed course and conditioned the move on new demands. Karam added that everything coming from Israel indicates it simply wants to return to war.Erdoğan praises Trump's Iran diplomacy, thanks allies for air defense support during warTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan thanked the United States, Spain, Germany and Italy for providing additional air defense support to Turkey during the war with Iran.Speaking Wednesday, Erdoğan also said Trump's "determined stance" on efforts to achieve peace with Iran was "admirable" and called for solidarity against all forms of terrorism.President Donald Trump with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during an arrival ceremony at the Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, July, 7, 2026. Credit: Doug Mills/AP President Donald Trump with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during an arrival ceremony at the Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, July, 7, 2026. Credit: Doug Mills/AP Hegseth to meet Netanyahu over possible sale of F-35s to Turkey, source tells ReutersUnited States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, center, speaks with White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller at the Bestepe Presidential Palace as they wait for a formal welcome for U.S. President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday. Credit: Francisco Seco/APUnited States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, center, speaks with White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller at the Bestepe Presidential Palace as they wait for a formal welcome for U.S. President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday. Credit: Francisco Seco/APU.S. Defense Secretary ⁠Pete Hegseth ‌will discuss the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets ‌to Turkey with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a ⁠source familiar with the matter told Reuters, a sale likely to anger ⁠Israeli officials.The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Hegseth was also scheduled to meet Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and that Iran would feature ‌in their discussions.In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Netanyahu ‌said he opposed the sale of F-35s to Turkey, and that he had made his opposition clear to Trump."It would destroy the power balance in the Middle East because Turkey has aggressive aspirations," Netanyahu told CNN. Turkey, a NATO member, has long criticised Israeli operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, and it has repeatedly accused Israel of trying to undermine the U.S.-Iran cease-fire deal mediated by Pakistan.IDF says it is probing Lebanon shooting, says could be 'honest human error'After saying its forces killed a militant in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military said it is "investigating the details of the incident, including the way the terrorist was eliminated."The IDF added that "the incident will be investigated, and lessons will be learned. Upon completion of the investigation, the IDF will present its findings transparently. If a mistake was made, If a mistake was made, it was the result of an honest human error."In the NewsIsrael Police Chief Says Force Will Uphold All High Court RulingsMedics: 12 Women Hospitalized After Suspected Poisoning in E. J'lem Beauty SalonHow Torrent Frogs in China Avoid Accidental Homosexual RelationsIsrael Is Failing ex-Haredi Youth. 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