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, 2026Updates3 hours agoBoard of Peace planning Gaza pilot zone under Palestinian technocrats' authorityPalestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a tent in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday. Credit: Haseeb Alwazeer/ REUTERSPalestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a tent in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday. Credit: Haseeb Alwazeer/ REUTERSThe Board of Peace is planning a pilot humanitarian zone ‌in the Gaza Strip where a newly recruited and trained police force would act as law enforcement alongside multinational peacekeepers, a board official said.The plan would also allow for the committee of Palestinian technocrats formed under U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to exercise its authority. The committee was established about six months ago with the intention to govern the Strip's civilian matters, but has not yet begun to operate, partly due to Israel's opposition.The board's plan is intended to kickstart Trump's stalled peace plan, regardless of whether a deal is reached with Hamas ⁠on the peace plan's second phase, the board official said.The official didn't specify the location, but said the Trump-appointed board had identified secure ⁠areas that could host tens of thousands of Gazans, where goods and services could be scaled up to meet the humanitarian needs of those willing to move there.Three Hamas officials contacted by Reuters had no ⁠immediate comment on the plan. Israeli authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Recent talks over the implementation of the second phase of Trump's Gaza plan between Hamas leaders, mediators Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Board of Peace Gaza envoy Nickolay Mladenov, ‌have yet to reach an agreement, sources close to the ⁠talks said.On Monday, Hamas said it had dissolved its de facto government in Gaza and signaled it was ready to hand over to NCAG, as it presses ‌Israel to honor other parts of the stalled peace plan.The Board of Peace said in a statement it had noted Hamas' move. But it added that "ultimately, our assessment will be guided by actions, not promises, to meet the critical needs of the ⁠people of Gaza". Israel described Hamas' move as a "stunt".RECAP: Iranian report says 8 soldiers killed in U.S. strikes, Israeli strikes reportedly kill 9 in GazaHere are Wednesday's latest updates :■ U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States will "probably" strike Iran again on Wednesday night, after the latest exchange of fire between the two countries over the Gulf.■ Eight members ‌of the ⁠Iranian army were ⁠killed in U.S. attacks on southern parts of ‌Iran early on Wednesday, state media reported.■ Trump also said that NATO countries would contribute to de-mining operations in the Strait of Hormuz, and that his country may reinstate a blockade on Iranian ports.■ Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz in the event of any fresh attacks, and will strike "enemy" targets at a ratio of at least two to one, Iran's Press TV reported, citing an informed security source.■ Trump said he believes Israel will withdraw troops from Lebanon, saying, "Israel will leave."■ The president also indicated he would ⁠remove Syria from the United States' list of designated state sponsors of terrorism.■ Nine people were killed in Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip since Wednesday morning, Palestinian reports and medical sources said.■ A human rights NGO said that Israel's response to allegations concerning detained Gaza hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya "fails to address the serious concerns" about his condition.■ The IDF said it arrested 20 people in the West Bank overnight into Wednesday, including individuals suspected of planning a terrorist attack, an arms dealer and "suspects affiliated with" Hamas.■ Arab-Israeli lawmaker Ayman Odeh said he will meet on Thursday with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York to discuss "the abandonment of the Arab community to organized crime and the relentless wave of killings."Gaza death toll since Wednesday morning rises to nine, including three children, reports sayAt least nine people were killed in Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip since Wednesday morning, including three children, Palestinian reports and medical sources said.Palestinians pray over the bodies of people who were killed in Israeli military strikes during their funeral at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday. Credit: Abdel Kareem Hana,AP Palestinians pray over the bodies of people who were killed in Israeli military strikes during their funeral at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday. Credit: Abdel Kareem Hana,AP According to the reports, one person was killed in an Israeli strike on a vehicle in the western part of Gaza City. Earlier reports said four people were killed, including a 10-year-old child, in a strike Khan Yunis, in the south of the enclave. Reports also said one person was killed after being shot in the head in the southern city of Rafah.In the Zaytun neighbourhood of Gaza City, a 6-year-old child was reportedly shot to death. Additionally, an 8-year-old child succumbed to wounds sustained on Tuesday in a strike on a vehicle, reports said. Another person was reportedly killed in the west of Gaza City.Arab-Israeli lawmaker set to meet UN chief, meeting to focus on Israel's crime epidemicMK Ayman Odeh will meet on Thursday with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York, the Arab-Israeli lawmaker said.MK Ayman Odeh in January. Credit: Oren Ben HakoonMK Ayman Odeh in January. Credit: Oren Ben HakoonIn a statement, the outgoing chairman of the left-wing Hadash-Ta'al party said the meeting will focus on "the abandonment of the Arab community to organized crime and the relentless wave of killings."Ahead of the meeting, Odeh said he "will present the Secretary-General with the scope of the crisis, the government's persistent failures in confronting organized crime, and the need to draw international attention to this grave situation."The Israeli government has shut every door on us in the fight against crime. We will do everything we can to ensure that this issue is also placed on the international community's agenda," the lawmaker said.Iran threatens to close Hormuz, strike 'enemy' targets if U.S. renews strikes, Iranian media reportsIran will close the Strait of Hormuz in the event of any fresh attacks, and will strike "enemy" targets at a ratio of at least two to one, Iran's Press TV reported, citing an informed security source.Drone view of oil tanker HELGA berthed at one of Iraq's southern offshore oil terminals near Basra as it prepares to load crude oil, becoming the second vessel to arrive since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, April 2026. Credit: Mohammed Aty/ REUTERSDrone view of oil tanker HELGA berthed at one of Iraq's southern offshore oil terminals near Basra as it prepares to load crude oil, becoming the second vessel to arrive since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, April 2026. Credit: Mohammed Aty/ REUTERS5 hours agoTrump says he will remove Syria from U.S. terrorism list, believes Israel will withdraw from LebanonU.S. President Donald Trump meets with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday. Credit: Alex Brandon,AP U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday. Credit: Alex Brandon,AP U.S. President Donald Trump ‌said he ⁠thought he would ⁠remove Syria from the United States' list of designated state sponsors of terrorism."I think ‌I will," Trump ‌told reporters in response to a question ahead of a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Turkey.The president also said he believes Israel will withdraw troops from Lebanon, saying, "Israel will leave."Israeli government officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly said Israel would not withdraw its troops from the south of the country before Hezbollah is disarmed.The United States has previously said ⁠it is reviewing Syria's designation as a state ‌sponsor of ⁠terrorism, which ‌carries restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance, defense exports and certain ⁠financial transactions.5 hours agoAt least eight killed, including 10-year-old, in numerous Israeli strikes in Gaza StripAt least eight people were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, medics said.Palestinians watch a live broadcast of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Nuseirat, Tuesday. Credit: Abdel Kareem Hana,AP Palestinians watch a live broadcast of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Nuseirat, Tuesday. Credit: Abdel Kareem Hana,AP Medics said an Israeli ⁠missile hit a tent for displaced people in the ⁠Mawasi area in Khan Younis, in the south of the enclave, killing at least four people, including a 10-year-old child, while another attack ‌killed one person near a school in Gaza City. ‌Twelve people were wounded in the two incidents.The Israeli military didn't immediately comment on either incident.Additionally, a driver was killed in the city of Rafah, in the south of the Strip, and a child was killed in Zaytun, in the east of Gaza City. Another child succumbed to wounds sustained on Tuesday.Trump says U.S. may reimpose blockade on Iran, repeats threat to seize Kharg IslandU.S. President Donald Trump said that NATO countries would contribute to de-mining operations in the Strait of Hormuz, and that his country may reinstate a blockade on Iranian ports.Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcome U.S. President Donald Trump at a NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday. Credit: Stoyan Nenov/ REUTERSTurkish President Tayyip Erdogan and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcome U.S. President Donald Trump at a NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday. Credit: Stoyan Nenov/ REUTERSAt a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey's capital, Trump also repeated his threat to seize Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub, and said the United States could target electricity and water facilities, though he does not want to.The president said that the United States "knocked out 28 boats last night," and that his country was likely to strike additional vessels on Wednesday.Earlier, Trump said the United States will "probably" strike Iran once more on Wednesday night, saying, "We may just do it without a deal," after the latest exchange of fire over the Gulf.Tehran carried out attacks on U.S. bases ‌in the Gulf after the U.S. military had unleashed a new wave of strikes against Iran overnight into Wednesday.The president also said he would allow his negotiators to continue talks with Iran if they wished. "It's a very interesting question. To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them," Trump told reporters before a NATO summit in Turkey when asked about the agreement.Read the full articleNGO says Israel's response to petition on detained Gaza doctor 'fails to address the serious concerns'A human rights NGO said on Tuesday that Israel's response to allegations concerning the imprisonment and condition of detained Gaza hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya "fails to address the serious concerns" about his condition.Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, handcuffed during a video-link High Court hearing, earlier this month. Credit: Reuters TV via ReutersDr. Hussam Abu Safiya, handcuffed during a video-link High Court hearing, earlier this month. Credit: Reuters TV via ReutersIsrael's response came after the High Court of Justice ordered the state on Sunday to respond to a petition filed by Physicians for Human Rights–Israel.The petition seeks the release of Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, along with 13 other Palestinian doctors who have been held without charge since late 2024 under Israel's Unlawful Combatants Law. The petition, which is largely based on an affidavit from Abu Safiya's lawyer, also raised concerns that the detainee's life is in danger, a claim the state denies.The state's response said Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, has undergone numerous medical examinations since he was transferred to the maximum security Rakefet facility in Nitzan Prison, in the central city of Ramla. According to PHRI, the state did not explain why those examinations were necessary, what their findings were, or how they are consistent with the state's claim that Abu Safiya's life is not in danger.PHRI also said the state's response did not address the serious allegations of violence against Abu Safiya, described in Attorney Nasser Odeh's affidavit. Odeh visited Abu Safiya in prison and described him as visibly injured, extremely weak, and at times struggling to breathe and speak. According to the affidavit, Abu Safiya said he had been beaten with a hammer and batons following a High Court hearing on the extension of his detention in June.In the statement, PHRI said, "An independent medical examination and an independent judicial review of Dr. Abu Safiya's condition are urgently required. The court should also schedule an urgent hearing on the petition concerning the continued detention of the 14 doctors."Read the full articleIn the NewsWho Is Yonatan Hun and What Did He Do With Yair Netanyahu?Germany Says It Can't Accept West Bank Annexation, but Does Nothing to Stop ItIsrael Gov't Wrongly Cites Academia Leaders' Letter to Curb Protests on CampusNGO: Israel 'Fails to Address Serious Concerns' for Detained Gaza Doctor's LifeHerzog: Israel's Security Agencies Loyal to the People – Not to PoliticiansRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIIsrael Has Long Ignored Warnings of a 'Diplomatic Tsunami.' Now It Has ArrivedDumber Than a 10-year-old: Are Israeli Students Really That Stupid?An Israeli Principal Desegregated a Tel Aviv School. Here's What HappenedAs Israel Lacks Hundreds of Patrol Officers, West Bank Staff DoublesThe 'Special Relationship' Is Gone, and Israel Isn't Ready for What's ComingRep. 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