July 19, 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 19, 2026UpdatesOver 50 Iranians killed in U.S. strikes since late June, health ministry says More than 50 Iranian citizens have been killed in U.S. strikes since late June, according to Iran's Health Ministry, the semi-official Fars news agency reported Sunday. A damaged portion of a bridge in the aftermath of a strike, in Bandar Khamir, Hormozgan province, Iran on Friday. Credit: Social Media via ReutersA damaged portion of a bridge in the aftermath of a strike, in Bandar Khamir, Hormozgan province, Iran on Friday. Credit: Social Media via ReutersThe ministry said airstrikes carried out between June 27 and July 19 wounded 517 people and killed more than 50 others.Among those killed were five women and two minors, the ministry said. According to the report, 35 women and 19 minors were among those wounded.The Health Ministry said 28 surgical procedures have been performed so far, 468 people have been discharged from hospitals, and 32 people remain hospitalized.Palestinian media reports Israeli settlers set fire to agricultural lands near RamallahIsraeli settlers on Sunday set fire to agricultural lands in the West Bank village of Sinjil, near Ramallah, Palestinian media reported. Smoke rises above agricultural land in the West Bank village of Sinjil on Sunday, after Palestinian media reported that the fire was caused by settler arson. Credit: Used under Section 27a of the Copyright ActSmoke rises above agricultural land in the West Bank village of Sinjil on Sunday, after Palestinian media reported that the fire was caused by settler arson. Credit: Used under Section 27a of the Copyright ActOn Saturday, Palestinians reported settler arson in Sinjil, and in a-Tuwani, a village in the South Hebron Hills, where settlers set fire to a mosque.1 hour agoDefense minister orders IDF to remove Democrats primary candidate from reserve dutyIsraeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he instructed the IDF chief of staff to remove Omri Ronen, an activist with the Brothers in Arms movement and a candidate in the Democrats party primary, from reserve military service, accusing him of advocating for refusing to serve in the military.Defense Minister Israel Katz at a conference in Jerusalem in June. Credit: Olivier FitoussiDefense Minister Israel Katz at a conference in Jerusalem in June.Credit: Olivier Fitoussi"I instructed the IDF chief of staff to ensure that Omri Ronen, who called for and promoted refusal to serve for political reasons, is removed from all IDF service frameworks," Katz said in a statement. "The same will be done in any similar case in the future."2 hours agoJordan intercepts three Iranian missiles over southern city of Aqaba, military says Sirens sounded in the southern Jordanian city of Aqaba on Sunday, state television reported, as Iran fired at the city and the Israeli military warned of possible spillover into Israel. A view of the Gulf of Aqaba and the coastline of the Jordanian city of Aqaba, with Eilat in Israel visible across the water, is seen from Aqaba, Jordan, in 2025. Credit: STR via Reuters ConnectA view of the Gulf of Aqaba and the coastline of the Jordanian city of Aqaba, with Eilat in Israel visible across the water, is seen from Aqaba, Jordan, in 2025. Credit: STR via Reuters ConnectIn a statement carried by state television, Jordan's armed forces said they intercepted three Iranian missiles targeting the kingdom. A fourth missile fell in an open area, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. No casualties or material damage were reported, Petra added.The IDF said the missiles were intercepted by U.S. air defense systems, while Israel's Iron Dome air defense system was deployed to intercept missile debris.Explosions were heard in the Israeli city of Eilat, according to witnesses. The Israel Police said there were no reports of missile strikes in the city. In a statement, the Eilat municipality said the explosions resulted from Jordanian interception attempts. Flights arriving at Ramon Airport, north of Eilat, were temporarily delayed. Air traffic has since resumed.Earlier Sunday, Jordanian officials denied a statement by the U.S. Embassy in Amman that authorities evacuated Aqaba's international airport and seaport because of a "specific and credible threat," and urged U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to either site.Kuwait and Bahrain's military also said they had intercepted Iranian drone attacks.Trump calls on Republicans to add Iran to Russian sanctions bill President Donald Trump on Sunday said the United States should add Iran to a Russia sanctions bill spearheaded by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, saying the move reflected Graham's wishes. President Donald Trump speaks during a reception at Trump Tower in New York, Friday. Credit: Jacquelyn Martin/AP President Donald Trump speaks during a reception at Trump Tower in New York, Friday. Credit: Jacquelyn Martin/AP In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "It was what Lindsey wanted to do, and it was going to happen. IMPORTANT!!!"Iran weaponizes the Middle East's water supply to gain leverage over the U.S. | AnalysisMore than a week into the intense exchanges between the United States and Iran, and between Tehran and its regional neighbors, the central question is where this renewed military campaign is headed.According to U.S. President Donald Trump and his spokespersons, the airstrikes aim to coerce Iran to return to the negotiating table and, along the way, to continue to degrade Tehran's capability to maintain the blockade over the Strait of Hormuz.But to Iranians, there's much more to the story. According to analysts, members of parliament and regime spokesmen, the United States is striving to take over several islands in the Persian Gulf and possibly a part of Iran's coast close to the strait. Hitting civilian targets such as bridges and power stations is meant to generate a new civil insurrection that would lead to the toppling of the regime.A bridge that was hit in a U.S. strike in southern Iran, on Saturday. Credit: Social Media/Reuters A bridge that was hit in a U.S. strike in southern Iran, on Saturday. Credit: Social Media/Reuters Read the full articleJordan says no Aqaba threat detected after U.S. Embassy warningJordanian authorities have not issued any decision to evacuate Aqaba's airport or seaport and have not detected any potential threats in recent hours, the state news agency reported, citing a government spokesperson. The statement came after the U.S. Embassy in Jordan said authorities had evacuated the facilities due to a "specific and credible threat" and urged Americans to avoid traveling there. The director general of the Aqaba Company for Ports also told Reuters that the seaport was operating normally and had not been evacuated.In the NewsIran Weaponizes the Middle East's Water Supply to Gain Leverage Over the U.S.Pressured by Azerbaijan, Israel Drops Knesset Armenian Genocide Recognition VoteU.S. Downs Iranian Missiles Fired at Jordan, IDF Intercepts Shrapnel Above EilatThe Sound of Depression: Translating Brain Activity Into LanguageIsrael Deserves Harsh Criticism, Not Blind HatredRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIInside the Mossad Plot to Install Ahmadinejad as Iran's LeaderThe Most Optimistic Israeli in Jerusalem Is Leaving the CountryNetanyahu's Biggest Challenger: Who Is Gadi Eisenkot and What Does He Stand For?103 House Democrats Vote to Cut U.S. Aid to Israel in Landmark Symbolic VoteAs Ground Invasion Looms, U.S. and Iran Want Wild-card Israel Out of the FightI Joined Rep. Ro Khanna on His West Bank Visit. Here's What I Saw