August 03, 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 03, 2026UpdatesNetanyahu tells court he plans to appoint interior minister during election periodPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the High Court of Justice that he intends to appoint an interior minister during the election period, in response to a petition demanding the appointment of a permanent minister and the cancellation of the transfer of some ministerial powers to the prime minister.The petition was filed by the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, which argued that the Interior Ministry cannot continue operating without a permanent minister. The Interior Ministry has been without a sitting minister since October 2025, after Shas' Moshe Arbel resigned amid coalition disputes. Justice Minister Yariv Levin temporarily assumed the role but did not advance the appointment process, and his temporary term expired on October 22.Justice Minister Yariv Levin at the Knesset, June. Credit: Olivier FitoussiJustice Minister Yariv Levin at the Knesset, June. Credit: Olivier FitoussiIn the absence of a serving minister, some powers of the position were transferred to the prime minister. However, Netanyahu is barred from exercising those powers because he is on trial in an ongoing corruption case.In his response to the court, Netanyahu said he planned to appoint a minister despite the election period, without specifying when the appointment would take place or who would be chosen.Six Saudi tankers turn away from Gulf of Aden, ship-tracking data showsSix Saudi-flagged supertankers have changed course in the Gulf of Aden in recent days and are heading to southern ‌Africa, following threats by Yemen's Houthi movement to target Saudi shipping, tracking data showed on Monday.The tankers, which were empty of cargo after returning from destinations in Asia, were sailing in formation towards southern Africa, rather than opting to transit the ⁠southern Red Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint, according to AIS ship-tracking on LSEG and MarineTraffic. One of the tankers, Dilam, had Gibraltar as its destination, ship tracking showed.The vessels' Saudi-based operator Bahri and other Saudi officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.People sit in a fishing boat sailing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off of Yemen's southern Taiz province, two weeks ago. Credit: AFP/KHALED ZIADPeople sit in a fishing boat sailing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off of Yemen's southern Taiz province, two weeks ago. Credit: AFP/KHALED ZIADThe tankers, each of which can carry a maximum of two million barrels of crude oil, had opted to re-route via ‌the Cape, taking into account the security situation, two trade sources said, based on their assessments.Their journeys will add at least 25 additional days of sailing time if they opt to cross Suez back to ⁠Saudi ports in the Red Sea, according to calculations.The Iran-aligned Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia two weeks ago, opening a new ⁠front against the U.S. and its allies in the Iran war.Houthi attacks in recent days on Saudi-linked ships prompted London's marine ⁠insurance market last week to widen its "high risk" zone in the Red Sea, adding waters close to more Saudi Arabian ports.1 hour agoIsrael will not withdraw from current Gaza positions, official saysIsrael will not withdraw from its current positions in the Gaza Strip and will continue to thwart any threat to its civilians and soldiers, a senior Israeli official said Monday.The comments came after the security cabinet approved the entry of the International Stabilization Force into Gaza, following an agreement between the Board of Peace and Hamas on a framework for disarming the group.A Palestinian child plays amongst the rubble of a destroyed building in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday. Credit: AFP/OMAR AL-QATTAAA Palestinian child plays amongst the rubble of a destroyed building in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday. Credit: AFP/OMAR AL-QATTAALast week, the Board of Peace announced a 15-point agreement with Hamas that includes an end to fighting, full disarmament of the group and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.Haaretz reported Sunday that Israel had raised objections to three elements of the agreement: the failure to require the destruction of weapons collected from Hamas, the involvement of Qatar and Turkey in the verification process, and the lack of guarantees for IDF freedom of action in areas transferred to the ISF.The comments also come as Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's high representative, arrives in Israel on Monday to discuss the implementation of the Hamas disarmament agreement.Top Board of Peace envoy reportedly arrives in Israel after criticizing Israeli strikes on GazaNickolay Mladenov, the top diplomat overseeing the Board of Peace – charged by U.S. President Donald Trump to oversee postwar Gaza – has arrived in Israel, according to Arab media reports, after he criticized deadly Israeli strikes on the enclave on Sunday."Two days of strikes across Gaza have killed civilians and destroyed medical supplies that people depend on," he wrote on X, saying that the strikes follow mediators' "intense efforts" to reach an agreement "to hand over civilian governance and to decommission their weapons."He stressed in that "both parties carry obligations" under the cease-fire agreements that "secured the release of all hostages."Smotrich urges Netanyahu to halt entry of Board of Peace international forces into GazaFinance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Settlements and National Missions Minister Orit Strock on Monday urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately halt the entry of a Trump-backed multinational force into Gaza, arguing that the framework was published by the Board of Peace on Friday before the Israeli cabinet approved the force's entry on Sunday and that the decision was made based on "incorrect information."The president-led Board of Peace on Friday published details of a roadmap to implement Trump's peace plan for the Gaza Strip. According to the roadmap, the force, named the International Stabilization Force, would deploy to separate Israeli forces from areas controlled by a Palestinian technocratic committee, as well as deploy in the committee-controlled areas.In an urgent letter to Netanyahu, the two ministers demanded that the security cabinet be reconvened and that Israel block implementation of the road map until it is amended to meet Israel's war objectives and commitments made to Jerusalem. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Settlement Minister Orit Strock, two weeks ago, last August. Credit: Gil EliyahuFinance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Settlement Minister Orit Strock, two weeks ago, last August. Credit: Gil EliyahuSmotrich and Strock, both members of the security cabinet, claimed that the official document released by the Board of Peace differs substantially from the plan presented to ministers during cabinet discussions.The ministers argued that the plan does not require full Gaza demilitarization, allows an Israeli withdrawal before disarmament is complete, and changes the international force's role from dismantling Hamas to separating Israeli forces from the Palestinian technocrats.They also warned that the framework creates new international oversight mechanisms, does not tie reconstruction to disarmament, and advances a path toward Palestinian statehood. They called on Netanyahu to block the ISF's entry until the plan is revised.'Total chaos': Right-wing, settler leaders condemn live TV dismissal of IDF's West Bank chiefIsraeli political leaders, including prominent figures on the right, sharply condemned Defense Minister Israel Katz after he announced live on air an appointment to replace the IDF's West Bank commander without notifying the army chief – a highly irregular move that military sources described as politically motivated.Defense Minister Israel Katz with IDF officers in Gaza in 2024. Credit: Ariel Hermoni/Defense MinistryDefense Minister Israel Katz with IDF officers in Gaza in 2024. Credit: Ariel Hermoni/Defense MinistryKatz announced that Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, who has led the IDF's Central Command – responsible for the West Bank – for the past two years, would be replaced by Personnel Directorate head Maj. Gen. Dado Bar-Khalifa.Such appointments are formally approved by the defense minister on the army chief's recommendation, but Katz made the announcement without coordinating with him, during an appearance on a right-wing news channel where panelists and members of the live audience had urged him minutes earlier to dismiss Bluth.Katz denied that he had dismissed the general, calling it "a complete lie, as part of a political campaign targeting the government." In a statement released Monday, Katz said he had approved the appointment of Bar-Khalifa months ago at the recommendation of IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. Katz also said that when a Channel 14 panelist called on him to "fire the major general" during his interview, Katz replied "No."Read the full articleGaza hospital says it is at risk of shutting down 'within hours' because Israel is blocking its fuel supplyA Gaza hospital said it is at risk of shutting down "within hours" due to a shortage of fuel and operational supplies, putting the lives of patients, including incubated infants, in "immediate and real danger."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 BABAPatient's Friends Benevolent Hospital in Gaza City said Israeli authorities have for two months blocked the supply of fuel for the hospital's generator, as the enclave is facing a dangerous shortage of medicines and medical supplies.Nineteen people killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza over past 24 hours, Gaza's Health Ministry saysGaza's Health Ministry said that 19 people were killed and 35 were wounded in Israeli strikes in the enclave over the past 24 hours.The sun sets over Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, Sunday. Credit: Amir Cohen/ REUTERSThe sun sets over Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, Sunday. Credit: Amir Cohen/ REUTERSAccording to the ministry's data, 1,250 people have been killed and 4,110 wounded since a cease-fire was declared between Israel and Hamas on Oct. 11, 2025.The latest casualties bring the war's toll to 73,375 people killed and 174,220 wounded in the Gaza Strip since Hamas' massacre on Oct. 7, 2023.Defense Minister Katz denies he announced general's dismissal on live TVDefense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement denying that he announced the dismissal of a top IDF general live on television, calling it "a complete lie, as part of a political campaign targeting the government."Defense Minister Israel Katz on Channel 14, Sunday evening. Credit: Channel 14 YouTubeDefense Minister Israel Katz on Channel 14, Sunday evening. Credit: Channel 14 YouTubeOn Sunday, Katz announced live on air on Channel 14 that he had decided to replace Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, the commander of the Central Command, with Personnel Directorate head Maj. Gen. Dado Bar-Khalifa.In a statement on Monday, Katz said he had approved the appointment of Bar-Khalifa months ago, at the recommendation of IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. Katz also said that when a Channel 14 panelist called on him to "fire the major general" during his interview, Katz replied "No."Katz's remarks on Sunday sparked backlash from the IDF, which said that Zamir was not aware of the decision until Katz's announcement and that it "does not intend to change key IDF commanders' positions during these sensitive times."In his statement, Katz said that backlash to his remarks was an "attempt to divert the debate from the real question: What will happen if Yair Golan – who has already threatened to dismiss [Shin Bet chief] Maj. Gen. David Zini – becomes the defense minister in a government headed by [Gadi] Eisenkot." Katz added that in such a scenario, the new government may appoint figures from what he described as the pre-October 7 paradigm that failed to prevent the massacre, and that could harm West Bank settlements and Israel's national security.RECAP: Trump says U.S.-Iran talks to begin Monday, Iran deniesHere are Monday's latest updates:■ IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir told senior army officials that no new appointments will take place until the start of 2027. His remarks came after Defense Minister Israel Katz said live on TV that he had decided to fire Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth.■ U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran will start Monday afternoon after he was asked by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran to call off strikes, and that the United States was "all set to go" for a "massive attack."■ Esmaeil Baqaei, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, said his country is not currently conducting talks with the United States and that there is no plan to receive or send a delegation for talks during 'these days.'■ Baqaei also said Iran is working with Oman on a temporary safe route through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that such an agreement would not be enough for the reopening of the Strait, and that as long as U.S. "aggression" continues, the situation will stay the same.■ Iran ‌executed two ⁠Iranian ⁠nationals on Monday after accusing them of ‌sending ‌sensitive military and security location coordinates ⁠to Israel during ‌the ⁠Iran war, the ‌Fars news agency ⁠reported.■ The Jerusalem District Court issued a temporary injunction Sunday freezing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's plan to establish an Israeli version of the U.S. "Alligator Alcatraz" facility for Palestinian inmates, citing the expected harm to wildlife.Iran's Foreign Ministry says no plan to send or receive delegation for U.S. talks during 'these days'Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said there is no plan to receive or send a delegation for talks with the United States during 'these days.'Esmaeil Baqaei's remarks come after U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran will start on Monday afternoon. Baqaei also said that Iran is not currently conducting talks with the United States, though it is working with Oman on a temporary safe route through the Strait of Hormuz. He added that reaching an agreement with Oman over a route is not enough for the reopening of the Strait, and that as long as U.S. "aggression" continues, the situation will stay the same.In the NewsReport: U.S. Army Asks Soldiers for 'Unconventional' Ideas to Punish IranSpider-Man's Real Superpower and Wham!'s Brush With the Chinese Communist PartyDefense Minister's Office Advocated for Pro-gov't Reservist's Return to IDF UnitIsrael's Supreme Court Looks the Other Way as Patients in Gaza SufferUnlike Israel's Latest Influencer, Charli XCX Would Have Recognized RabinRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThis Israeli ultra-Orthodox Feminist Activist Has a Warning for U.S. JewsNetanyahu Says Israel Has 'Special Forces' Ready if He's Arrested on NY VisitTwo Female Israeli Soldiers Die by Suicide as IDF Mental Health Crisis DeepensDozens of IDF Soldiers Desert Sde Teiman Base in Protest of Commander'I Tried, I Got Crushed by AIPAC': Andy Levin Is All-in for El-SayedTrump's Irritation, Netanyahu's Desperation: Oval Office Smiles Mask Rifts