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, 2026UpdatesEU aviation agency tells airlines to avoid Iran, Iraq, Lebanon airspaces until end of AugustThe European Union Aviation Safety Agency said on Wednesday that airlines should not operate ‌within the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon, amid ongoing tensions and the potential for further military action, as the United States and Iran exchanged fresh attacks.A Turkish Airlines aircraft is pictured at the tarmac of Beirut International Airport in 2024. Credit: ANWAR AMRO / AFPA Turkish Airlines aircraft is pictured at the tarmac of Beirut International Airport in 2024. Credit: ANWAR AMRO / AFPThe EASA said its bulletin for the airspaces of Iran, Iraq and Lebanon was valid ⁠until August 31.The agency said it had withdrawn its previous bulletin that had also asked airlines to exercise caution when operating within the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia.It was not immediately clear whether EASA would issue a new advisory for those nations.The agency's latest advisory comes after Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait ‌on ⁠Wednesday. Those attacks followed a wave of U.S. military strikes on Iran after tankers were hit in the Strait of Hormuz.President Donald Trump had said on Monday that the United States would either reach a deal ⁠with Iran or "finish the job," renewing his threat of military action.EASA said the implementation of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire remained fragile, and its ⁠advisory decision was based on "ongoing high level of tensions and the potential for further military action."The European agency also ⁠added that should the existing truce break down, Iranian airspace was likely to be exposed to "imminent threats".RECAP: Trump praises 'very good ally' Erdogan, rescinds Syria from list of state sponsors of terrorismHere are Wednesday's latest updates :■ U.S. President Donald Trump defended his handling of the Iran war, saying it "has been a tremendous military success," and said he does not believe that the war will start again.■ Trump said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan "has been a very good ally," praising him for staying out of the Iran war despite not being "a huge fan of Bibi or Israel."■ Erdogan said ‌that ⁠Trump has a positive ⁠view on selling F-35 jets to Turkey, and Erdogan hoped that the world would ‌see the United States ‌keep its promise. He also dismissed Israeli and ‌Greek opposition to Turkey acquiring F-35 jets, saying they "have no place in my world."■ Trump informed Congress of his administration's intent to rescind Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism after a 45-day pre-notification period, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.■ Two ‌people were ⁠killed ⁠after an Israeli drone strike near a ‌hospital ‌in Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon, the ⁠Lebanese state news agency ‌reported.■ Lebanon is demanding that Israel withdraw from two agreed-upon "pilot areas" in the south of its territory as a condition for Lebanon's attendance in the next round of direct talks in Rome, AFP news agency reported, citing a diplomatic source familiar with the matter.■ The Board of Peace is planning a pilot zone ‌in the Gaza Strip where a newly recruited and trained police force would act as law enforcement alongside multinational peacekeepers, and the committee of Palestinian technocrats formed under Trump's plan would exercise its authority, a board official said.■ President Isaac Herzog said that "Israel's security and law enforcement agencies are not loyal to any individual or camp, but to the sovereign – the people – to Israel's legal code, and to the values of the Jewish and democratic state." His remarks came a day after Shin Bet Director David Zini said he agreed to take the position because he was better than others at remaining loyal to the elected leadership.■ IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir spoke out against granting exemptions to military service, saying, "We must not exempt anyone from the yoke of the commandment to defend the state." He made the remarks after the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee discussed a bill that would prevent the arrest of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders.■ The IDF said it located the burial site of Pvt. Yaakov Zarihan, who was killed during the 1948 War of Independence while participating in a supply convoy to besieged Jerusalem.Report: Lebanon conditioning continued talks on Israeli withdrawal from pilot zonesPeople who returned home after displacement during the war, following the Israel-Lebanon deal, relax on the beach in Tyre, southern Lebanon, Sunday. Credit: Zohra Bensemra/ REUTERSPeople who returned home after displacement during the war, following the Israel-Lebanon deal, relax on the beach in Tyre, southern Lebanon, Sunday. Credit: Zohra Bensemra/ REUTERSLebanon is demanding that Israel withdraw from two "pilot areas" in the south of its territory as a condition for Lebanon's attendance in the next round of direct talks with Israeli negotiators in Rome, AFP news agency reported, citing a diplomatic source familiar with the matter.Last month, Israel and Lebanon signed an agreement in Washington under which the two agreed-upon "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon will be set up, where the Lebanese army will assume "full and effective security responsibility," allowing for the return of displaced residents, internationally supported reconstruction efforts and the creation of future similar pilot zones.The next round of talks is set to take place on July 15-16 in Italy's capital and is aimed at reaching a permanent agreement. The negotiating teams are therefore required to remain close to their respective countries "for consultation," the report said.According to the source, Israel was quick to agree to Rome as the location for the talks, as it recognized an opportunity to reduce U.S. pressure that was exerted during the negotiations to achieve the cease-fire and framework agreement.Meanwhile, reports said Lebanon received U.S. guarantees that Washington would maintain "the same level of engagement in the negotiations and the same policy in managing the talks" in Rome.Trump notifies Congress of intent to rescind Syria’s designation as state sponsor of terrorism, Rubio saysU.S. President Donald Trump has informed Congress of his administration's intent to rescind Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during a bilateral meeting alongside the NATO leaders summit at the Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday. Credit: Jonathan Ernst/ REUTERSU.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during a bilateral meeting alongside the NATO leaders summit at the Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday. Credit: Jonathan Ernst/ REUTERSAccording to Rubio's statement, the rescindment will take effect following a 45-day pre-notification period."This is yet another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness," Rubio said.In 2025, Trump relieved some U.S. sanctions on Syria, following what Rubio described as "positive changes and counterterrorism actions taken by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and formal assurances provided by President al-Sharaa that Syria will not support acts of international terrorism in the future."According to Rubio, the rescindment would further lift sanctions, unlocking "international trade and investment" and giving Syria "a chance to rebuild."3 hours agoTurkey's Erdogan voices optimism on possible U.S. sale of F-35s, says Israeli opposition has 'no place in my world'Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan holds a press conference during NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday. Credit: Yves Herman/ REUTERSTurkish President Tayyip Erdogan holds a press conference during NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday. Credit: Yves Herman/ REUTERSTurkish President ‌Tayyip Erdogan said ‌on Wednesday that U.S. President Donald ⁠Trump has a positive ⁠view on selling F-35 jets to Turkey, and Erdogan hoped that the world would ‌see the United States ‌keep its promise.Speaking at a press conference at the end of a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey's capital, Erdogan said he held very fruitful talks ⁠with the U.S. president, and he left their meeting happy. Erdogan ⁠also dismissed Israeli and ‌Greek opposition to Turkey acquiring F-35 jets, saying they "have no place in my world," and ⁠said Greece was making a mistake by opposing it.Earlier, Trump said he had not made up his mind on the possible purchase. "My inclination is to say look, he's helped us in so many different ways," Trump said on Erdoğan at the close of the NATO summit.Netanyahu urged the United States on Monday not to sell F-35 fighter jets or F110 fighter jet engines to Turkey, arguing that doing so would upset the regional balance of power by undermining Israel's air superiority. Trump said at the NATO summit that selling F-35s to Turkey is "certainly something we will consider." Erdogan said at the summit that Turkey has been "promised five jets," adding that he expects this promise to be fulfilled during the leaders' summit.IDF chief speaks out against exemptions to military service: 'The IDF requires everyone'IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir spoke out against granting exemptions to the military draft.IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir addresses an officers' course graduation ceremony in June. Credit: Ilan AssayagIDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir addresses an officers' course graduation ceremony in June. Credit: Ilan Assayag"We must significantly expand the ranks of the IDF so that it can meet all the missions assigned to it," he said, speaking at a graduation ceremony at the National Security College."The responsibility lies upon all of us – the IDF requires everyone. We must not exempt anyone from the yoke of the commandment to defend the state – this is an operational necessity and a Zionist and moral duty.""Even during my tenure as Deputy Chief of Staff, I said that the IDF was on the verge of its smallest possible size with respect to the threats facing us. Since October 7, this is truer than ever."Earlier on Wednesday, the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee discussed a clause in the draft exemption bill aimed at preventing the arrest of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders, despite sweeping opposition from experts. According to the latest draft of the bill, the clause would be valid for five months, though it would likely be extended in practice.IDF says it located burial site of soldier killed in 1948The IDF said it has located the burial site of Pvt. Yaakov Zarihan, who was killed during the 1948 War of Independence.According to the IDF, he went missing while participating in a supply convoy to besieged Jerusalem as part of Operation Harel. Efforts to locate Zarihan's burial place lasted some 15 years, the IDF said.Yaakov Zarihan. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitYaakov Zarihan.Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitAccording to the IDF, Zarihan was killed along with 13 others on April 20, 1948, in a battle in the Sha'ar HaGai area, while they were participating in a supply convoy to besieged Jerusalem as part of Operation Harel. He was buried two days later at the military cemetery in Kibbutz Kiryat Anavim.Zarihan's sister, Yvonne Cohen, said, "For me, finding his burial place means the whole world to me; I will call my sons so they can say Kaddish for the first time at his grave."Addressing Shin Bet chief's remarks, President Herzog says security agencies loyal to the people, not to politiciansIsraeli President Isaac Herzog at a memorial ceremony in Jerusalem, last week Credit: Noam Revkin-FentonIsraeli President Isaac Herzog at a memorial ceremony in Jerusalem, last week Credit: Noam Revkin-FentonIsraeli President Isaac Herzog said Wednesday evening that "Israel's security and law enforcement agencies are not loyal to any individual or camp, but to the sovereign – the people – to Israel's legal code, and to the values of the Jewish and democratic state."Herzog made his remarks a day after Shin Bet Director David Zini said he agreed to take the position because he was better than others at remaining loyal to the elected leadership.Zini said he felt qualified to be loyal to any elected leadership, "regardless of its views," even if it changes."On this matter, I felt very qualified, more than many other good people," Zini said. "I have an agenda, I want to advance it. This is my responsibility, this is my role."Read the full articleIran's Araghchi: 'We do not answer vulgarity with vulgarity, but with action'Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iranians "do not answer vulgarity with vulgarity, but with action: fearlessly and with great valor.""Addressing the Civilized and Courageous Nation of Iran with derogatory language does not diminish its Greatness," Araghchi wrote on X.Addressing the Civilized and Courageous Nation of Iran with derogatory language does not diminish its Greatness.