LiveLive Updates July 13, 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 13, 2026UpdatesIDF says it detained Israeli civilians after Syria border crossing attemptThe Israeli military said Monday it detained several Israeli civilians after they attempted to cross the border into Syria. According to a statement, several Israeli civilians approached the border with Syria in the southern Golan Heights intending to cross it before being detained by IDF forces. The civilans were transfered to the Isreal Police, the statement said. The military condemned the incident, calling it "a criminal offense that endangers both IDF soldiers and civilians," and said it was one of several similar incidents.Last week, the IDF said it had prevented dozens of Israelis from crossing into Syrian territory. The Syrian village of Ma'ariya, near the location of a reported Israeli settlement. The incidents come after the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported earlier in July that Israeli settlers had established an outpost in the Wadi Ma'riyah area west of Daraa in an area fenced by Israeli forces.According to the report, there are about 140 cows in the farming settlement, which was established with the help of the right-wing NGO Hashomer Hachadash (the new guardian in Hebrew). SOHR said the cattle graze on about 10,000 dunams (about 3.8 square miles) in an area between the Israeli border fence and the 1974 cease-fire line.Iranian State TV says no explosions reported in Bandar Abbas, other areas in southern IranIranian State Television said Monday no explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas and areas in southern Iran, contradicting earlier reports made on its channel and by other Iranian outlets. Earlier Monday, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported explosions were heard in several port cities along the Iranian coast, including in Bandar Abbas, Chabahar and Konarak. According to Tasnim, air defenses were activated in response in response to attacks by missiles and aircraft.2 hours agoExplosions heard in several Iranian port cities, local media says Explosions were heard in several Iranian port cities Monday, including east of Bandar Abbas, Iranian media reported. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that explosions were also heard on Larak Island off the coast of Bandar Abbas, as well as in the port cities of Chabahar and Konarak, which is home to key Iranian military bases. According to the report, air defenses were activated in response in response to attacks by missiles and aircraft. Speaking to Tasnim, sources with knowledge of the matter said the exact locations of the explosions has yet to be determined. Report: Trump tells Congress U.S. has resumed hostilities with IranU.S. President Donald Trump has formally notified Congress that the U.S. military has engaged in "defensive strikes against targets within Iran," according to a letter to congressional leaders obtained by The New York Times and published Monday.According to the report, the formal announcement of the resumption of hostilities is expected to reignite a dispute between Congress and the White House over whether Trump can continue to prosecute a war against Iran without direct congressional approval.Araghchi says Iran has always been ‘guardian’ of Strait of Hormuz, rejects proposed U.S. tollIran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday said those providing security in the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated, responding to U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to impose a toll on vessels transiting the waterway.Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Credit: Pierre Albouy/Reuters Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas AraghchiCredit: Pierre Albouy/Reuters "POTUS is absolutely right," Araghchi said in a post on X. "Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER," he added, referring to a Truth Social post in which Trump called the U.S. "THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT."Responding to Trump's proposal that the U.S. charge a toll equivalent to 20 percent of a vessel's cargo for transiting the strait, Araghchi said "20 percent is of course too much. We will be fair." Earlier Monday, Trump described the toll as a matter of fairness, saying it would cover "any and all costs necessary" to provide safety and security in "this very volatile section of the world."Read the full articleU.S. naval blockade of Iran to begin Tuesday, maritime security information center saysThe U.S. will begin enforcing a naval blockade against all Iranian ports and oil terminals on Tuesday, the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces' Joint Maritime Information Centre said in a statement Monday. According to the JMIC, the blockade will apply to all vessels regardless of the flag they sail under. The blockade will not impede neutral traffic transiting the Strait of Hormuz travelling to or from non-Iranian destinations, the statement said. Shipments of a humanitarian nature will be allowed passage, subject to inspections, the JMIC added. Read the full articleReport: At least six missiles launched from Yemen targeting Saudi airport At least six missiles were launched from Yemen Monday targeting Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport, according to reports. Air operations at the airport in the country's south were halted following the strikes, Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported.According to Al Jazeera, all six missiles were intercepted by Saudi air defenses. 4 hours agoUN condemns obstruction of aid operations in Gaza after IDF says Hamas raided aid depot, assaulted two staffThe United Nations condemned the obstruction of humanitarian aid operations in the Gaza Strip after the Israeli military accused Hamas of forcibly entering a World Food Program warehouse and assaulting two truck drivers in the Jabalya refugee camp on Saturday.Trucks carrying humanitarian aids line up to enter the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing in February. Credit: Mohammed Arafat/APTrucks carrying humanitarian aids line up to enter the Egyptian gate of the Rafah crossing in February. Credit: Mohammed Arafat/APThe IDF said in a statement addressed to Gaza residents Monday that it strongly condemned the incident, adding that it showed Hamas "will not hesitate to use any means to exploit the humanitarian aid intended for you for its own criminal interests."In a statement Sunday, United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov said aid employees were "forced to halt food distributions after armed personnel affiliated with the de facto authorities forcibly entered the Abu Rashid food distribution point."Alakbarov said the incident was part of an "increasingly dangerous pattern of intimidation, violence and obstruction, including smuggling attempts, targeting and abusing humanitarian operations."The special coordinator urged all parties to protect aid staff and refrain from obstructing their work."I call for an immediate end to all interference with humanitarian operations and to respect their independence, impartiality and neutrality," he said.Read the full article'Sovereign states over globalism:' Rubio launches U.S. campaign to dismantle ICC U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio launched a U.S. diplomatic campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court under the slogan, "Sovereign states over globalism."Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Rubio said the Trump administration would use "all the tools at our government's disposal" and work alongside "every ally with whom we can make common cause" to dismantle the Hague-based court "brick by brick, if necessary."According to the secretary, American allies who benefit from U.S. security guarantees "must not stand idly by while those who provide that security are targeted."Rubio charged the court with "interfering with American military and law enforcement operations" and said compliance with the court would mean "the death of the U.S. as a sovereign and independent nation."Citing an ICC investigation into potential U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan, the secretary said the court was "anointing [itself] the final judge of U.S. military policy and the entire U.S. justice system.""The ICC is backed and run by a powerful network of leftist nongovernmental organizations, smug globalists and hostile Third World governments united by their enmity toward the U.S.," Rubio said.In the NewsKnesset Ratifies Bill Giving Jewish Religious Studies Special StatusLikud Allows Netanyahu to Appoint Eight Seats on Party's Knesset SlateIDF Chief: Ultra-Orthodox Draft Freeze Will Deepen Inequality and Erode TrustRubio Vows to Dismantle the International Criminal Court 'Brick by Brick'Iran and Netanyahu Both Sow Conflict and Chaos Online Ahead of Israeli ElectionsRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThe Original Tradwives of Ancient RomeInside the Mossad Plot to Install Ahmadinejad as Iran's LeaderThe 'Special Relationship' Is Gone, and Israel Isn't Ready for What's ComingMade in Kurdistan, Smuggled via Jordan: The Mysterious Firearms Flooding IsraelEgypt Lost the World Cup. 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