LiveLive Updates August 02, 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 02, 2026UpdatesIran's acting defense minister says U.S. threats are psychological warfare, yet 'real and ⁠credible'Tehran views ‌every threat from its adversaries ⁠as "real and ⁠credible" even if made as part of psychological warfare, Iran's acting ‌defense minister, ‌Majid Ibn al-Reza, said on Sunday according to state media."We will neither be caught off guard ⁠nor remain passive," he said, adding ‌that Iran ⁠would ‌use threats as a basis to ⁠increase its military readiness, strengthen deterrence and enhance ‌its military capabilities.Source: Israel demanding freedom to strike Gaza areas to be handed to international peacekeepersIsrael informed the Board of Peace on Thursday of three points it finds unacceptable in the emerging agreement with Hamas, two sources familiar with the matter told Haaretz.A displaced Palestinian woman reacts as she looks at the destruction of tent shelters following an Israeli airstrike that targeted a nearby medical supplies and pharmaceuticals warehouse belonging to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Saturday. Credit: AFP/EYAD BABAA displaced Palestinian woman reacts as she looks at the destruction of tent shelters following an Israeli airstrike that targeted a nearby medical supplies and pharmaceuticals warehouse belonging to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Saturday. Credit: AFP/EYAD BABAAccording to one of the sources, Israel is demanding that weapons collected from Hamas be destroyed, that Qatar and Turkey not be involved in the verification process and that the IDF retain freedom of operation in areas that would be handed to the responsibility of an international stabilization force.According to a diplomatic official, Israel submitted its reservations to Board of Peace member Tony Blair, Britain's former prime minister.Read the full articleIDF says it killed two Hamas commanders, one infiltrated Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7Israeli strikes killed two Hamas commanders in the Gaza Strip over the weekend, the IDF said, including one who participated in the attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7.Kibbutz Nir Oz, following the October 7 attack. Credit: Moti MilrodKibbutz Nir Oz, following the October 7 attack. Credit: Moti MilrodSalem Jamal Abd al-Rahman Abu Labad, described by the IDF as a Hamas Kukhba cell commander, was killed in a strike in the southern part of the enclave on Saturday, the IDF's statement said.According to the statement, Abu Labad infiltrated Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, 2023. One in four of the community's residents was massacred or abducted to Gaza during the attack.Muhammad Abd al-Nasser Muhammad Khatib, described by the IDF as a commander in Hamas' Maghazi Battalion, was killed in a separate strike in the central Gaza Strip on Friday, the statement said.14 IDF soldiers sentenced to 30 days in prison after leaving Sde Teiman base without permissionFourteen Israeli soldiers serving at the Sde Teiman base in southern Israel were sentenced Friday to 30 days in prison and removed from combat duty after leaving the base without authorization on Thursday.Givati ​​soldiers leaving Sde Teiman, Friday. Credit: Use under Section 27A of the Copyright LawGivati ​​soldiers leaving Sde Teiman, Friday. Credit: Use under Section 27A of the Copyright LawAccording to an IDF statement, two additional soldiers are awaiting trial, while another is awaiting a decision by the brigade commander.The IDF also said that 80 other soldiers who left the base but later returned will undergo a "command and educational process" with their commanders on Saturday to reinforce discipline, values and the standards expected of IDF soldiers.Read the full articleIranian military sources deny asking U.S. to halt strikes, call Trump's claim 'a lie'Iranian military sources denied U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Tehran had asked Washington to halt its strikes, calling it "a new lie" and "a desperate attempt" to pressure Gulf states, according to Iran's Mehr news agency.The sources said Iran's armed forces remain at the highest level of readiness and are prepared for any scenario, adding that "if confrontation becomes inevitable, the battlefield will decide."RECAP: Trump says U.S. canceled planned Iran strike; Israeli strikes kill nine in GazaHere are Sunday's latest updates from the U.S. Iran war and Israel:■ U.S. President Donald Trump said he canceled a planned strike on Iran after Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries requested time to pursue a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end Iran's nuclear threat. ■ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is now more willing to reach a deal because the U.S. is negotiating from a "position of strength," adding that recent American strikes severely damaged Iran's air defenses.■ Axios reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed concern to Trump over planned new U.S. strikes on Iran during a phone call on Saturday.■ Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the U.S. against any "adventurous action" and said any "aggression" by the U.S. or Israel, or involvement by regional countries, would draw a "decisive response."■ At least nine Palestinians, including two children, were killed overnight into Sunday in five Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip within about an hour, according to Palestinian medical sources and media reports.■ Former Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan said Jared Kushner is working with Israel to halt strikes in Gaza after Hamas and other Palestinian factions approved a 15-point roadmap.Nine killed, including two children, in wave of Israeli strikes across Gaza, Palestinian sources sayThe Israeli military carried out five strikes across the Gaza Strip within about an hour, according to Palestinian media reports.Palestinian medical sources said at least nine people, including two children, were killed and others wounded. Three people, including a child, were reportedly killed in a strike on an apartment in western Gaza City, while another person was killed near the Latin Church in the city's Old City. A husband and wife were killed in a strike on a home west of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, and three members of the same family, including a child, were killed in a strike on an apartment in the al-Mawasi area northwest of Khan Younis.Read the full articleRubio: Iran more willing to reach deal as U.S. negotiates from 'position of strength'U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is now more willing to reach an agreement on its nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz because the United States is negotiating from a "position of strength."Speaking to Fox News, Rubio said recent U.S. strikes had severely damaged Iran's air defenses. While Iran still possesses missiles and drones, he said it had lost the conventional defensive capabilities protecting its nuclear program.Trump: U.S. canceled planned Iran strike after request to pursue dealU.S. President Donald Trump said he had canceled a planned military strike on Iran after Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries asked Washington to hold off, claiming the outlines of a deal had been agreed.In a Truth Social post, Trump said the proposed agreement would include the "immediate, complete, and total" reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat. He added that Israel had joined the U.S. in committing to pursue a deal instead of carrying out the attack.Axios: Saudi crown prince voiced concern to Trump over planned Iran strikesSaudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed concern to U.S. President Donald Trump over plans for a major new round of strikes on Iran during a phone call on Saturday, Axios reported, citing two U.S. officials and another source familiar with the conversation.U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a bilateral meeting in Riyadh on May 13, 2025. Credit: AFP/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKIU.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a bilateral meeting in Riyadh on May 13, 2025. Credit: AFP/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKIIn the NewsHow Trump's Gaza Peace Plan Is Becoming the New Front in the Iran WarThey Fought Back Against Violent Settlers. Now They're Branded as TerroristsSource: Israel Demands Right to Strike Gaza Areas Set for International ForceReport: Iran Used Cease-fire to Plan Wider Regional Campaign Against U.S.Trump Says He Called Off Iran Attack After Tehran Sought More Time for DealRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMINetanyahu Says Israel Has 'Special Forces' Ready if He's Arrested on NY VisitThis Israeli ultra-Orthodox Feminist Activist Has a Warning for U.S. JewsAl Jazeera Reportedly Ends Contracts of Over 20 Gazan JournalistsTwo Female Israeli Soldiers Die by Suicide as IDF Mental Health Crisis DeepensDozens of IDF Soldiers Desert Sde Teiman Base in Protest of CommanderTrump's Irritation, Netanyahu's Desperation: Oval Office Smiles Mask Rifts