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, 2026UpdatesIsrael set to charge National Security Ministry official with fraud over gun permitsYisrael Avisar, former head of the National Security Ministry's Firearms Division, during a Knesset committee hearing in November 2023. Credit: Olivier FitoussiYisrael Avisar, former head of the National Security Ministry's Firearms Division, during a Knesset committee hearing in November 2023. Credit: Olivier FitoussiIsrael's State Prosecutor's Office announced that it plans to charge a former senior official at the National Security Ministry with illegally handing out firearm licenses.The official, Yisrael Avisar, headed the ministry's firearms division and resigned in December 2023 after Haaretz revealed that he and other ministry officials illegally distributed thousands of gun permits. The officials included four of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's aides.Avisar is suspected of having allowed unauthorized personnel to issue approximately 23,000 conditional weapons permits and approximately 15,000 final weapons licenses, according to the prosecution. He is expected to be charged with fraud and breach of trust.Iranian minister meets Pakistani mediators as U.S.-Iran tensions mountIranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni held high-level meetings with mediators in Pakistan on Tuesday as diplomatic efforts to end the renewed escalation between Washington and Tehran continue, officials said.Momeni met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad to discuss peace efforts. But his most important interaction was with Pakistan's powerful military chief General Asim Munir, who played a significant role in mediating negotiations for an interim agreement between the United States and Iran in June.Momeni is the first Iranian official to visit Pakistan since that deal faltered and US President Donald Trump announced the cease-fire was "over" in early July.Israel bans university officials from making political statementsIsrael's Council for Higher Education, headed by Education Minister Yoav Kish, approved a decision banning university presidents, deans, administrators and other officials from making political statements.The directive "does not harm academic freedom or the private freedom of expression of lecturers and students," the council said.Kish welcomed the decision, saying that academia "is made for research and freedom of thought, not for political struggles," and that "the move will ensure that it remains an open space for all."Iran fires missiles, drones at Kuwait and BahrainIran launched a drone and missile attack on Kuwait and Bahrain, authorities in the countries said.The Kuwaiti military said its forces are facing off Iranian drones and missiles fired at the country. Sirens have also been activated in Bahrain, the country's Interior Ministry said.Israel kills 10 in Gaza in 24 hours, others under rubble, health ministry saysCivil Defense rescue teams respond following an Israeli strike on a residential apartment in Gaza City, Tuesday. Credit: Stringer/ReutersCivil Defense rescue teams respond following an Israeli strike on a residential apartment in Gaza City, Tuesday. Credit: Stringer/ReutersIsraeli strikes killed nine people in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours and another person succumbed to previous wounds, the Gaza Health Ministry reported, adding that at least 42 others were wounded in the strikes.Other casualties remain trapped under the rubble, the ministry added, saying that medics and rescue teams "have been unable to reach them at this time."According to the ministry, Israel has killed 1,168 people and wounded 3,798 in Gaza since the sides declared a cease-fire in October. Since the beginning of the war in October 2023, Israeli fire has killed 73,293 people in Gaza and wounded 173,906 other, the ministry said.Read the full articleLebanese 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.In the NewsReport: Biden Suspected Israeli War Crimes in Gaza Early but Dragged Out ProbesEd Miliband, the U.K.'s New Foreign Secretary – and His History With IsraelTrump to Meet Lebanese President in First White House Visit by Leader Since 2009The Netanyahu Family Knows How Yoni Died. 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