LiveLive Updates July 24, 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 24, 2026UpdatesInternational criminal court members dismiss prosecutor Karim Khan, diplomatic sources sayMember states of the International Criminal Court voted Friday in New York to confirm the dismissal of ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, following a disciplinary process over allegations of sexual misconduct. A source at the United Nations headquarters in New York confirmed to Haaretz that the vote took place and the dismissal was approved.The motion was approved by a vote of 85 in favor, 13 against and 15 abstentions.Khan was temporarily suspended from his position last year after it was revealed that a lawyer who worked in his office had complained that he had sexually assaulted her in early 2024. The UN launched an investigation into the complaint, and while it was being investigated, another woman, who also worked for him, complained that he had harassed her as well. After denials on his part, he announced in May 2025 that he was temporarily stepping down from his position until the investigation into his case was completed.International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan speaks during a press conference at the San Carlos Palace in Bogota, last year in April. Credit: LUIS ACOSTA/AFPInternational Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan speaks during a press conference at the San Carlos Palace in Bogota, last year in April. Credit: LUIS ACOSTA/AFPIsraeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon welcomed the decision, accusing Khan of using Israel as a shield from allegations against him."Karim Khan thought that if he launched a political witch hunt against Israel and issued arrest warrants, the world would ignore the serious allegations of sexual offenses attributed to him," Danon said. "He was wrong.""He tried to use Israel as a human shield for his personal scandal, and today the world rejected this cynicism," Danon added. "Those who use the persecution of Israel to save themselves will not escape accountability, but will also lose the world's trust."Khan's dismissal comes after he sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Israel has rejected the allegations and called the warrants politically motivated.Read the full articleBahrain, Kuwait reportedly sent jets to strike Iran in first direct attacksBahrain and Kuwait secretly sent fighter jets to strike targets inside Iran earlier this month, marking their first direct retaliation against Tehran during the war, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.The strikes targeted Iranian military sites, including drone and missile storage facilities, among other locations, according to the report.The United Arab Emirates provided intelligence on targets and defensive air cover for the strikes, the report said. The UAE had previously carried out multiple strikes against Iran during the war.The reported operation marks a new level of involvement by Gulf states in the conflict, as Arab governments seek to navigate the fallout from the ongoing fighting with Iran, according to the report.Iran military chief vows to kill one U.S. service member for every Iranian killedIran's top military commander vowed Friday that Iran would kill one U.S. service member for every Iranian killed, according to Iranian state media.Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which coordinates operations between the regular armed forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned of retaliation as tensions between Tehran and Washington escalate."For every Iranian citizen killed, one American service member will be sent to hell," Abdollahi said in a statement broadcast by Iran's state television. He added that the policy would become an established rule of the battlefield, saying, "We have prepared free, direct tickets to hell for you."The statement came a day after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump's policy toward Iran was "a head for an eye."3 hours agoTwo wounded Palestinains wounded as settler attacks continue across West Bank after deadly clashes near NablusPalestinian reports said Friday evening that settlers attacked three additional West Bank villages – Madaama, Sarta and Jiljilya – after a day of violence in which four Palestinians were killed and at least 14 wounded.The Palestinian Red Crescent said two Palestinians were wounded in a settler attack in Sarta, west of Nablus, and evacuated for medical treatment. Palestinian reports said six homes were damaged and three vehicles were set on fire or vandalized during the attack.A building set on fire by settlers in Sarta, near Nablus, Friday. Use under Section 27A of the Copyright LawIn Madaama, near Nablus, settlers were reported to have used bulldozers to uproot olive trees on land in Area B. A new unauthorized outpost was reportedly established in the area several weeks ago.In Sarta, west of Nablus, Palestinians reported that settlers damaged six homes and set fire to or vandalized three vehicles.In Jiljilya, located in Area A of the West Bank, Palestinians reported that settlers set fire to agricultural land. A violent Israeli outpost has been documented adjacent to the village and has existed for more than a year. Monitoring groups have said it is the only known Israeli outpost currently located in Area A.Palestinians report settler attacks across West Bank, FridayPalestinians report settler attacks across West Bank, FridayEarlier Friday, four Palestinians were killed and at least 14 others wounded in a series of incidents across the West Bank, mostly during settler attacks on Palestinian villages near Nablus and Qalqilyah.In Tell, southwest of Nablus, four Palestinians were killed and four others wounded, including three in serious condition, during clashes that erupted after armed Israelis entered the village and encountered Palestinian residents.In Far'ata, east of Qalqilyah, eight Palestinians were wounded, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. Six were wounded by live fire, including some in serious and critical condition, with injuries to the head, chest, abdomen, hand and thigh. One person was wounded by a stone to the head and another by a rubber bullet.In Sarta, two Palestinians were reportedly assaulted by settlers and evacuated to a hospital.According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 87 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the beginning of 2026, including 21 killed by settler gunfire.Pakistan seeks to restart U.S.-Iran talks as Tehran official makes second Islamabad visitPakistan is working to reopen a channel for stalled U.S.-Iran talks, with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni visiting Islamabad twice in the past 10 days as part of exploratory discussions, three Pakistani sources told Reuters.Momeni, who is considered close to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, met with Pakistani government officials and army chief Gen. Asim Munir during his latest visit, according to Pakistani government statements.The effort follows a diplomatic push by China, the sources said, but they cautioned that significant obstacles remain before negotiations between Washington and Tehran can resume.U.S. Vice President JD Vance looks on next to U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi shakes hands with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, before the start of a quadrilateral meeting between the U.S., Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar at the Lake Lucerne Summit, at Buergenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, near Stansstad, Switzerland, June. Credit: Nathan Howard/REUTERSU.S. Vice President JD Vance looks on next to U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi shakes hands with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, before the start of a quadrilateral meeting between the U.S., Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar at the Lake Lucerne Summit, at Buergenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, near Stansstad, Switzerland, June. Credit: Nathan Howard/REUTERSPakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed the initiative with Chinese officials during a visit to Beijing last week, the sources said. China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing supports mediation efforts by Pakistan and other parties and will continue to "play an active role in restoring peace and tranquillity in the Middle East Gulf region as soon as possible."A Pakistani official said a halt in Iranian-backed attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states would be a prerequisite for renewed talks. "The Chinese are unhappy because Iran's attacks on other Gulf states and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are hitting their interests," the official said.The diplomatic effort comes after a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in June, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, failed to produce progress toward a permanent agreement. Indirect talks stalled as both sides accused each other of violations and fighting resumed.The latest escalation, including Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers and threats to disrupt regional shipping routes, has complicated Pakistan's role as a potential mediator.U.S. Embassy in Israel warns citizens of possible flight cancellations, escalationThe U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued a security alert Friday warning Americans in the Middle East to remain vigilant amid heightened regional tensions and the possibility of further escalation.The embassy said the security environment "remains complex," warning of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions. It advised Americans in the region to check with airlines directly for updates and urged those outside the Middle East to reconsider travel to or through the region.The alert said U.S. diplomatic facilities, including those outside the Middle East, have been targeted and warned that Iran and groups aligned with Tehran may target additional U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with Americans.Security Alert: Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex, with the potential for unforeseen escalation. U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution, stay alert, and be prepared for possible flight cancellations, airspaceShow moreThe embassy said its Jerusalem and Tel Aviv consular sections remain open for routine and emergency services.The U.S. Embassy in Amman issued a similar warning, urging Americans to reconsider travel to the Middle East and advising them to "exercise caution and heightened vigilance." It also warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions.The Jordanian embassy advised Americans to avoid U.S. military bases. Iranian strikes last weekend on a base in Jordan used by U.S. and Jordanian forces killed three American soldiers.Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned Friday that civilians in countries hosting U.S. military personnel should stay at least 500 meters from any building suspected of housing American forces.The warning came after Iranian attacks on U.S. bases across the region prompted some American service members to move to hotels and office spaces, according to U.S. officials and military personnel.Trump says Xi, Putin promised not to arm Iran, warns it would be ‘very bad’ if they didU.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he does not believe China or Russia are supplying weapons to Iran amid the ongoing conflict, saying such involvement would be "very bad" for both countries.In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin had each told him they would not provide weapons to Tehran."President Xi, at our recent meeting in Beijing, China, told me that he would not, under any circumstances, give or sell Weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote, adding that the statement also applied to Chinese companies. Credit: U.S. President Donald Trump's Truth Social post, Friday.Trump said Putin had given him a similar assurance, despite tensions between Washington and Moscow over the war in Ukraine."Therefore, two major Countries that people speak of often in terms of Iran are, in my opinion, not participating," Trump wrote. "If they did, it would be very bad for them – certainly not in their best interests."ICC states vote on ousting prosecutor Karim Khan amid sexual misconduct allegationsInternational Criminal Court member states are voting Friday on whether to dismiss chief prosecutor Karim Khan over allegations of sexual misconduct, a move that could further deepen divisions surrounding the court after it issued arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials over the Gaza war.Khan, 56, has denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyers have argued that the decision by the court's governing body that led to the vote was unlawful, procedurally unfair and unsupported by evidence.ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan speaking to press at The Hague, Netherlands in January 2025. Credit: Piroschka Van De Wouw/ReutersICC Prosecutor Karim Khan speaking to press at The Hague, Netherlands in January 2025. Credit: Piroschka Van De Wouw/ReutersThe vote comes amid renewed criticism of the ICC by the United States, which has sanctioned Khan and other court officials over the tribunal's decision to issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israel, which is not a member of the court, has rejected the warrants as illegitimate and denies committing war crimes in Gaza.Court officials have said Khan should be removed over alleged serious misconduct involving an inappropriate relationship with a junior staff member, according to documents reviewed by Reuters. Khan's lawyers have denied that he had "any sexual relationship of any kind" with the staff member.An absolute majority of at least 63 of the ICC's 125 member states is required to remove Khan in the secret ballot, which is expected to take place at the UN headquarters in New York. The result is expected later Friday.France said Thursday it would vote in favor of Khan's removal, while the Netherlands and Norway have also backed his dismissal. Khan has been suspended since June after being on voluntary leave since May 2025 pending the outcome of an internal investigation.The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Credit: Peter Dejong/AP The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Credit: Peter Dejong/AP If removed, the process to elect a new prosecutor would begin, though a successor is not expected to be chosen before next year. Existing ICC arrest warrants would remain in force, as only judges have the authority to withdraw them.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the court during a visit to the Philippines on Thursday, saying there were "lunatics and crazies involved in the ICC" and that no U.S. political or military officials would ever face trial there.Omani diplomatic delegation arrives in Iran to discuss mechanisms for Hormuz ship traffic, Iranian state media reports An Omani diplomatic delegation traveled to Tehran for talks on arrangements governing the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported on Friday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, in Muscat, Oman, April. Credit: Iranian Foreign Ministry via APIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, in Muscat, Oman, April. Credit: Iranian Foreign Ministry via APUnder the memorandum of understanding signed by Iran and the United States in June and now effectively abandoned, Iran agreed to hold discussions with Oman over the future administration of the strait, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that was, before the war, a key conduit for Gulf oil. The report did not provide further details about the delegation or the talks.Kuwait's defence ministry says its air defences are currently intercepting 'hostile' targets launchedKuwait's military said Friday that its air defenses are confronting attacks by hostile drones following what it described as "Iranian aggression."The General Staff of the Kuwaiti Army said any explosion sounds heard in the country are the result of air defense systems intercepting the incoming drones.تتصدى حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الكويتية لهجمات طائرات مسيّرة معادية، إثر العدوان الإيراني الاثم.