August 01, 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 formatSubscribeAugust 01, 2026UpdatesRECAP: IDF air defenses on high alert for Iran strikes; U.S. short on assets to defend IsraelHere are Saturday's latest updates from the U.S. Iran war and Israel:■ The Israeli military was placed on high alert ahead of a possible major U.S. attack on Iran, preparing its air defense systems for a possible escalation.■ The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem advised its citizens to leave Israel amid rising tension with Iran, telling them to "find a secure location" and "have a supply of food, water, medications and other essential items." U.S. embassies across the Middle East issued security alerts, urging U.S. citizens to "consider departing" the countries.■ The top U.S. military chief in Europe warned the Pentagon that Washington doesn't have enough naval forces to continue intercepting Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Israel, The Washington Post reported.■ The Gaza Strip's death toll this month is the highest since the beginning of the year, standing at 152, the Gaza Health Ministry said.■ An IDF reservist died by suicide on Friday in a forest near the city of Be'er Sheva in southern Israel, making him the third soldier to die by suicide this week.■ Police arrested an Israeli soldier on leave on suspicion of shooting a Palestinian child near the West Bank's Ramallah, the IDF told Haaretz.Iran's Araghchi warns U.S. against 'adventurous' attacks, threatens retaliationIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the United States against "adventurous" action, saying Tehran will "respond decisively to any attack."In a statement released following a call with Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Araghchi condemned the United States' "aggressive and destabilizing actions," saying the Islamic Republic "is fully prepared to defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security."5 hours agoHundreds protest Netanyahu gov't, settler terrorism across IsraelLeft-wing activists protest against Israeli settler terrorism outside the IDF Headquarters in central Tel Aviv, Saturday. Credit: Tomer AppelbaumLeft-wing activists protest against Israeli settler terrorism outside the IDF Headquarters in central Tel Aviv, Saturday. Credit: Tomer AppelbaumHundreds are protesting across Israel against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and settler terrorism.The main demonstration is taking place in Tel Aviv's Habima Square. In Haifa, one of the speakers is Hadas Klein, former personal assistant to Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and a witness for the prosecution in Netanyahu's corruption trial.IDF on high alert ahead of possible major U.S. attack on IranThe Israeli military has been placed on high alert ahead of a possible major U.S. attack on Iran.Earlier on Saturday, U.S. embassies across the Middle East issued security alerts, urging U.S. citizens to "consider departing" the countries amid rising tensions with Iran. On Friday, CBS News reported that Washington and Israel are preparing to launch a bombing campaign against Iranian energy infrastructure targets as soon as this weekend, citing multiple sources.The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem also advised citizens to leave Israel, telling them to "find a secure location within your residence or another safe building" and "have a supply of food, water, medications and other essential items." Later on Saturday, the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning for the Middle East, telling Americans to "exercise caution and heightened vigilance" and be prepared for flight cancellations amid rising tensions with Iran.Liza Rozovsky and Ben Samuels contributed to this report.Read the full article8 hours agoGaza medics: Death toll in Israeli strikes this month is highest since year beganPalestinians inspect the site of an overnight Israeli strike on a medicine warehouse, according to medics, next to tents sheltering displaced Palestinians, in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, Saturday. Credit: Mahmoud Issa/ReutersPalestinians inspect the site of an overnight Israeli strike on a medicine warehouse, according to medics, next to tents sheltering displaced Palestinians, in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, Saturday. Credit: Mahmoud Issa/ReutersThe Gaza Strip's death toll this month is the highest since the beginning of the year, standing at 152, the Gaza Health Ministry said.Earlier on Saturday, Israeli strikes killed two ⁠Palestinians in Gaza City and destroyed two warehouses near a hospital that were said to be storing medicine. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli strikes killed seven people in the past 48 hours, while another one died of previous wounds. The strikes also wounded 76 people in Gaza.A military spokesperson said those targeted in the Saturday strikes were Hamas militants, but declined to provide further details. According to Gazan medics, some casualties remain buried under rubble with rescue workers "unable to reach them at this time."According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli strikes during the cease-fire have killed 1,222 people and wounded 4,053 others since the deal was announced in October. Medics also said that since the cease-fire began, rescue teams have recovered the remains of 804 people whose bodies were trapped under the rubble.Medics have so far received the bodies of 73,349 people killed in Israeli strikes since the war began in October 2023, and treated 174,162 others who were wounded. According to the medics, 33 people were killed due to the collapse of buildings damaged in Israeli strikes.9 hours agoU.S. State Department warns of flight disruptions in Middle East amid Iran tensionsThe U.S. State Department issued a travel warning for the Middle East, telling Americans to "exercise caution and heightened vigilance" and be prepared for flight cancellations amid rising tensions with Iran."Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world, including U.S. businesses and other institutions," the State Department said in its statement.Urging citizens to depart from the Middle East, the State Department said citizens "should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and potential travel disruptions." The department added, "Those who do travel to or from the region should monitor information about airport and airline operations."IDF reservist dies by suicide in forest in southern Israel, third in past weekAn Israeli soldier works on a tank near the border with Lebanon in northern Israel, in July. Credit: Ariel Schalit/AP An Israeli soldier works on a tank near the border with Lebanon in northern Israel, in July. Credit: Ariel Schalit/AP An IDF reservist died by suicide on Friday in a forest near the city of Be'er Sheva in southern Israel, making him the third soldier to die by suicide this week. According to a Haaretz tally, at least 17 soldiers have died by suicide since the beginning of the year. The figures indicate a further rise in suicides among Israel's security services, continuing a trend that began after the outbreak of the war on Oct. 7, 2023.In the decade preceding the war, the IDF averaged 12 active-duty soldier suicides per year. IDF data shows that seven active-duty soldiers died by suicide between Oct. 7 and the end of 2023, followed by 21 in 2024 and 22 in 2025, marking the highest annual total in the past 15 years.However, the IDF's figures provide only a partial picture, as they do not include soldiers who died by suicide while not on active duty. At least nine people who served during the war but were no longer on active duty have also died by suicide since the start of the year.Read the full articleU.S. embassies across Middle East issue warnings, call to 'consider departing'U.S. embassies in the capitals of Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan issued security alerts, urging U.S. citizens to "consider departing" the countries amid rising tension with Iran.The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem also issued a similar alert, advising citizens to leave Israel and telling them to "find a secure location within your residence or another safe building" and "have a supply of food, water, medications and other essential items." The embassy in Oman also advised to find secure locations.In the UAE, the U.S. Embassy said citizens should "stay away from glass doors, windows, and any fallen debris, and monitor your phone and news outlets for official guidance" if an attack occurs."U.S. diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted," the warnings said, adding, "The Iranian regime is unpredictable, as seen by its recent decisions to attack areas in the region without warning or provocations as well as to expand attacks to areas not previously targeted."Read the full articleReport: U.S. short on forces to defend Israel from Iranian missiles, general warnsThe top U.S. military chief in Europe warned the Pentagon earlier this week that Washington doesn't have enough naval forces to continue intercepting Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Israel, The Washington Post reported, citing officials.According to the report, U.S. European Command Chief Alexus Grynkewich notified Pentagon officials that without another U.S. Navy destroyer, the command will be forced to choose between defending the United States and defending Israel from Iranian attacks.Read the full articleRECAP: U.S. and Israel reportedly planning bombing campaign on Iranian energy targetsHere are Saturday's updates:■ The U.S. and Israel are preparing to launch a bombing campaign against Iranian energy infrastructure targets as soon as this weekend, CBS News reported Friday, citing multiple sources.■ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned down a request from late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham to transfer an Iron Dome air defense system from the United States to Ukraine in 2023, according to a report from The Washington Post.■ ⁠Yemen's Houthi-run ‌maritime coordination body ‌denied reports ⁠that it planned ⁠to impose fees on commercial ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb strait, ‌saying no such decision ‌had been taken and that passage through the strategic waterway remained free.■ A tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an "unknown projectile," causing damage to the engine room, the UKMTO shipping agency said. Another ship later reported a nearby explosion, causing no damage to the vessel, the agency said.■ The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has issued a warning to Americans outside the Middle East, urging them to "seriously reconsider travel to and through the region" due to what it called "heightened tensions in the Middle East."■ Kuwait's army said it intercepted several hostile Iranian missiles and drones. A government facility in northern Kuwait and ⁠civilian property belonging to a company ‌on Bubiyan Island ‌were hit, causing material damage but no casualties, it said.■ Israel's military killed two Palestinians in Gaza ‌and destroyed two warehouses near a hospital that stored medicine in separate strikes. The military said those targeted were Hamas militants.■ The IDF said an officer was moderately wounded during an operational activity in southern Lebanon overnight and was evacuated to a hospital.■ Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday condemned explosions at Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon as a "highly dangerous escalation" and a violation of existing commitments, warning they threaten diplomatic efforts ahead of talks in Rome next week on implementing the tripartite framework involving Israel, Lebanon and the United States.In the NewsIsraeli Hip-hop Loves the Sound of Resistance, but Not When Palestinians ResistBefore Israelis Lecture Spain, They Should Look in the MirrorNo Justice, More Violence: How Impunity Fuels the West BankAs Trump's Iran Threats Near a Breaking Point, Israel Braces for What's to ComeIDF on High Alert Ahead of Possible Major U.S. Strikes on IranRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMINetanyahu Says Israel Has 'Special Forces' Ready if He's Arrested on NY VisitAl Jazeera Reportedly Ends Contracts of Over 20 Gazan JournalistsTwo Female Israeli Soldiers Die by Suicide as IDF Mental Health Crisis DeepensThis Israeli ultra-Orthodox Feminist Activist Has a Warning for U.S. JewsDozens of IDF Soldiers Desert Sde Teiman Base in Protest of CommanderTrump's Irritation, Netanyahu's Desperation: Oval Office Smiles Mask Rifts