LiveLive Updates July 21, 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 21, 2026UpdatesLebanese army says IDF fired at its soldiers in 'pilot zone'The three occupied villages of Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, from which Israel withdrew Monday as part of its agreement with Lebanon.The three occupied villages of Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, from which Israel withdrew Monday as part of its agreement with Lebanon.The Lebanese military said the Israeli military opened fire on its forces when they were deploying in the so-called pilot zones, which Washington said the IDF handed over to Beirut on Monday."While military units were deploying in the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, Nabatieh, Israeli occupation forces opened fire in the vicinity of these units," the Lebanese Armed Forces said in a statement, adding that Israel's attack "will hinder deployment in the pilot zones" under the U.S.-brokered agreement.On Monday, the U.S. State Department said Israel handed over the villages of Froun, Srifa and Zawtar Al-Gharbiyah in the IDF-occupied buffer zone to Lebanon.Shin Bet: Arab Israeli to be charged with attempt to join Hamas, kill Ben-GvirA man from the Arab city of Nazareth in northern Israel is expected to be charged with attempting to join Hamas and harm a government minister, the Israel Police and Shin Bet security service said in a joint statement.After the joint announcement, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he was the man's intended target.The police and Shin Bet said 29-year-old Mohammed Awad contacted Hamas to join the group's ranks and receive resources for the attack. The State Prosecutor's Office has filed a prosecutor's statement against Awad, who is expected to be indicted.RECAP: Smotrich says Israel has no interest in joining U.S. strikes on IranHere are Tuesday's latest updates:■ The IDF said it killed on Sunday Asma Kamal Shehadeh Abu Tim, whom it said was a cell commander in Hamas' military wing who raided the Gaza border community of Nir Oz during the October 7 massacre and was involved in the abduction of Israeli hostages Nurit Cooper, Amiram Cooper and Alexander Dancyg.■ An Arab-Israeli man, Muhammad Awwad, has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to join Hamas and planning to harm a government minister, law enforcement agencies said. "This is the ninth time that terrorist organizations have targeted me and tried to harm me," National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote on X.■ Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that Israel has no interest in joining U.S. military operations against Iran, opining that "the current situation, in which there is a limited conflict between Iran and the United States, is the right and the best one for us."■ Iran's army said it targeted U.S. military lodging sites in Sheikh Isa Air Base, Bahrain.■ The level of "interaction" ‌with Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ⁠is increasing day ⁠by day, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a video clip ‌published on state media.■ Jordan said it neutralized five Iranian drones, state media reported. Bahrain's army also said it intercepted Iranian attacks.■ Britain's maritime authority said a vessel reported being struck by a projectile off the United Arab Emirates' coast, causing damage to its steering gear.■ Kuwait's Energy Ministry said repairs were ongoing after Iranian attacks sparked fires at several Kuwaiti power and water desalination plants on Monday.■ The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen has warned shipping companies to avoid loading or discharging at Saudi ports, writing in an email to companies that such vessels may be "subject to targeting in any location" by Houthi forces.Yemen's Houthis warn shipping companies against docking at Saudi portsHouthi supporters hold a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday. Credit: Osamah Abdulrahman,AP Houthi supporters hold a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday. Credit: Osamah Abdulrahman,AP The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen has warned shipping companies to avoid loading or discharging at Saudi ports.In an email sent to companies, the group said vessels making voyages to and from Saudi ports may be "subject to targeting in any location" by Houthi forces.Police: Arab-Israeli man arrested for trying to join Hamas, planning to harm government ministerAn Arab-Israeli man has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to join Hamas and planning to harm a government minister, law enforcement agencies said.In a joint statement, Israel Police and the Shin Bet security agency said Muhammad Awwad, from the northern city of Nazareth, was arrested and questioned on suspicion of advancing terrorist activity.The questioning revealed that Awwad, 29, reached out to Hamas with the intention of joining the organization and received resources for terrorist activity, the statement said.National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote on X, "This is the ninth time that terrorist organizations have targeted me and tried to harm me," insinuating that he was the target of Awwad's alleged plot.זו הפעם התשיעית שאירגוני הטרור שמים אותי כמטרה ומנסים לפגוע בי.