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, 2026UpdatesIDF says it fired 'warning shots' at Lebanese forces who entered buffer zoneThe Israeli military said it fired "warning shots" at Lebanese forces who entered the IDF-occupied buffer zone in southern Lebanon, denying previous reports that it fired at soldiers deploying in the so-called pilot zones.On Monday, Washington said Israel handed over three villages in the IDF-occupied buffer zone to the Lebanese military. In its Tuesday statement, the IDF said Lebanese soldiers "crossed approximately 150 meters" into Israeli-occupied territory.Earlier on Tuesday, the Lebanese military said the Israeli military opened fire on its forces when they were deploying in the pilot zones, adding that the attack "will hinder deployment" under the U.S.-brokered agreement.51 minutes agoTrump: U.S. will hit Iran's Pickaxe Mountain 'pretty soon and very heavily'U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (not pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Tuesday. Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/ReutesU.S. President Donald Trump meets with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (not pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Tuesday. Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/ReutesU.S. President Donald Trump said Iran "hasn't seen anything yet," adding that the United States will be hitting the Pickaxe Mountain area "pretty soon."He added that Iran's nuclear program "doesn't mean anything" without Tehran's nuclear material. "We follow the material. That's where the action is. And we'll be hitting that area very, probably pretty soon. And there's not a thing they can do about it."He added, "Normally I wouldn't say that if I thought they could do something about it. I would never say that. But we'll be hitting that area pretty soon. And very heavily."On Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli intelligence assesses that Iran has transferred thousands of uranium-enrichment centrifuges to tunnels deep inside the mountain, which lies near Natanz. Known in Iran as Mount Kolang, the underground complex has been monitored by both the United States and Israel for years. Experts estimate that the facility extends roughly 300 to 450 feet beneath solid rock and contains enough space for several nuclear-related installations.Trump says he 'will look into' Israeli fire on Lebanese soldiers in pilot zonesUS President Donald Trump meets with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday. Credit: Saul Loeb/AFPUS President Donald Trump meets with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday. Credit: Saul Loeb/AFPIn a press conference held shortly after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's arrival, U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington will "help Lebanon a lot," adding that it will help Lebanon be "properly treated, with respect."Trump added that he and Aoun will be speaking about the so-called pilot zones, where Israel handed over three villages in the IDF-occupied buffer zone to the Lebanese military.The U.S. president also said Washington will "look into" reports that the Israeli military fired at Lebanese forces deploying in the pilot zones.Earlier on Tuesday, the Lebanese military said the Israeli military opened fire on its forces when they were deploying in the pilot zones, adding that the attack "will hinder deployment" under the U.S.-brokered agreement.Read the full articleLebanon's Aoun visits White House, meets TrumpPresident Donald Trump greets Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on his arrival at the White House, Tuesday, in Washington. Credit: Mark Schiefelbein/APPresident Donald Trump greets Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on his arrival at the White House, Tuesday, in Washington. Credit: Mark Schiefelbein/APLebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived at the White House, meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.Read the full articleIsrael 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 mountIn this photo released by the Pakistan Prime Minister Office, Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, left, meets with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, right, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday. Credit: APIn this photo released by the Pakistan Prime Minister Office, Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, left, meets with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, right, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday. Credit: APIranian 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 articleIn the NewsThe Constant Campaigner: Netanyahu Has Been Running for Reelection Since Oct. 7A Palestinian Poet's Hebrew Journey to His Long-lost CityReport: 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 Meets Lebanese President in First White House Visit by Leader Since 2009Remembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThe Most Optimistic Israeli in Jerusalem Is Leaving the CountryAs Ground Invasion Looms, U.S. and Iran Want Wild-card Israel Out of the FightDemocrats Rejected U.S. Aid to Israel, and AIPAC Couldn't Stop ThemBetween Messi and Milei: How Argentina Became Israel's Team at the World CupThe Original Ozempic Society of Ancient Rome103 House Democrats Vote to Cut U.S. Aid to Israel in Landmark Symbolic Vote