LiveLive Updates July 29, 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 29, 2026UpdatesRECAP: Unidentified drone strikes U.S. gas facility in Egyptian port, security sources sayHere are Wednesday's latest updates:■ An unidentified drone struck a U.S.-owned and operated gas storage facility in Egypt's Damietta Port, two security sources and the Ambrey security company said.■ The Israeli military shelled two Syrian villages near the Golan Heights, the Lebanese Al Mayadeen channel reported.■ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington, Netanyahu's office said.■ The Iraqi pro-Iranian militia Kataib Hezbollah said retaliation for the joint U.S. and Saudi strikes on its forces is "inevitable," giving the Baghdad government a week to respond.■ A senior Israeli official, speaking on background one day after the Trump-Netanyahu White House summit, insisted that the two leaders shared a "genuine consultation" on the list of options at their disposal concerning Iran, rejecting any claims that the meeting was anything but positive and substantive.■ Canada condemned worsening settler ‌violence ⁠in the ⁠West Bank and demanded a halt to the expansion of Israeli settlements there.■ The municipality of the Lebanese town of Houla, which is located in the IDF-occupied buffer zone in southern Lebanon, said Israeli forces stored approximately four metric tons (about 8,800 pounds) of explosive material in a building on its outskirts.6 hours agoReport: IDF artillery shells Syrian villages near Israeli-occupied areaThe Syrian villages of Abdin and Ma'ariya, near the Golan Heights and the former UN buffer zone (between the hatched lines).The Syrian villages of Abdin and Ma'ariya, near the Golan Heights and the former UN buffer zone (between the hatched lines).The Israeli military shelled two Syrian villages near the Golan Heights, the Lebanese Al Mayadeen channel reported.According to the channel, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, the IDF fired shells at the villages of Abdin and Ma'ariya that lie east of the former UN buffer zone, which the IDF has occupied since the fall of the Assad regime in 2024.Locals in the Yarmouk River basin have blocked roads leading into IDF-occupied territory on several occasions in the past months in an attempt to thwart further incursions.On Sunday, the IDF recently scattered leaflets in the area, ordering locals to "immediately cease public order violations against the Israeli army." At the time, an Israeli drone reportedly dropped a stun grenade, and IDF gunfire hit water tanks on the roofs of several houses.Unidentified drone strikes U.S. gas facility in Egyptian port, security sources sayEgypt's Damietta Port.Egypt's Damietta Port.An unidentified drone struck a U.S.-owned and operated gas storage facility in Egypt's Damietta Port, two security sources and the Ambrey security company said.The drones struck floating gas tankers operated by the United States and flying a Marshall Islands flag. No casualties have been reported as of yet, and no party has claimed responsibility.The port is located in northern Egypt, about 57 km (35 miles) west of the Suez Canal.Netanyahu meets with Hegseth in Washington, office saysPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (left) at Blair House, Washington, Wednesday. Credit: Maayan Toaf/GPOPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (left) at Blair House, Washington, Wednesday. Credit: Maayan Toaf/GPOIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington's Blair House, also known as the president's guest house, Netanyahu's office said.Iraqi pro-Iran militia vows response to U.S. strikes, gives Baghdad one weekThe Iraqi pro-Iranian militia Kataib Hezbollah said retaliation for the joint U.S. and Saudi strikes on its forces is "inevitable," giving the Baghdad government a week to respond.The group said a response to the strikes could target U.S. assets in Saudi Arabia, setting August 6 as the deadline for Baghdad to "show it can defend Iraq's sovereignty."9 hours agoTrump and Netanyahu discussed Iran options, economic backlash, Israeli official saysIsrael's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Tuesday. Credit: Maayan Toaf/GPOIsrael's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Tuesday. Credit: Maayan Toaf/GPOA senior Israeli official, speaking on background one day after the Trump-Netanyahu White House summit, insisted that the two leaders shared a "genuine consultation" on the list of options at their disposal concerning Iran, rejecting any claims that the meeting was anything but positive and substantive."Trump has three options: reach an agreement, not reach an agreement, or intensify the strikes," the senior official noted. "We discussed each option honestly and extensively," the official added, describing the 90-minute meeting as a "genuine consultation."The official added that the conversation revolved around possible options, rather than proposals personally advanced by Netanyahu."The relevant question is balancing the sensitivity of the global economy against the ability to maintain economic pressure on Iran," the senior official said, noting Iran's greatest concerns at the moment relate to economic hardship and resulting political unrest. "We discussed additional economic pressure – through kinetic and non-kinetic means."The senior official added that Netanyahu did not state Israel's preferred option, and that ultimately the final decision rests with Trump unless Iran attacks first."They're asking themselves why they should do so now, because they know we'd launch a massive response," the official said, adding that "so far they haven't attacked us, and that says something."The senior Israeli official noted that "sometimes Trump develops certain assumptions. If you don't find a way to change them, they become fixed. You have to show him the facts, preferably visually, because he's hearing other things from other sources."Read the full articleCanada condemns Israeli settler attacks in West Bank, calls to stop expansionSettlers in the village of Fara'ata, southwest of Nablus in the northern West Bank on Friday. Credit: Use according to Section 27A of the Copyright LawSettlers in the village of Fara'ata, southwest of Nablus in the northern West Bank on Friday. Credit: Use according to Section 27A of the Copyright LawCanada ‌on Wednesday condemned worsening ‌violence by Israeli settlers ⁠in the occupied ⁠West Bank and demanded a halt to the expansion of Israeli settlements there.According to ‌United Nations figures, 18 ‌Palestinians have been killed in incidents linked to settler attacks so far this year, compared with 17 in the whole of 2025."Canada ⁠condemns the ongoing violence in the West ‌Bank. ⁠The expansion of Israeli ‌settlements in the West Bank must stop. These settlements ⁠are illegal under international law," the foreign ministry said in ‌a post on X.In the NewsLikud Comptroller Pick Represents Party Against MK Who Alleged Ballot MisconductFrom Arrest Warrant to Trial: The Traps Awaiting Netanyahu if He Loses PowerNetanyahu Wants No Journalists, No QuestionsPrimary Objective: Why Israel's Defense Chief Is Enabling Jewish TerrorThe Sad Thing About Netanyahu's Corruption: We've Gotten Used to ItRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIIsrael's Far Right Is Repeating the Sin That Brought Down the TempleAl Jazeera Reportedly Ends Contracts of Over 20 Gazan JournalistsWith the West Bank Primed to Explode, Israel's Government Sees an OpportunityTwo Israelis, Four Palestinians Killed in Clash After Settlers Enter TownThese Young Israelis Are Calling for the Zionist Left to Confront the OccupationTrump's Irritation, Netanyahu's Desperation: Oval Office Smiles Mask Rifts