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, 2026UpdatesBoard of Peace says IDF withdrawal to follow full Hamas disarmamentThe Board of Peace said Monday that a meeting was held between its senior representative Nickolay Mladenov and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the implementation of the Gaza disarmament framework.In a statement, the body said the meeting with Netanyahu and his team was "constructive and detailed," adding that Israel and the Board of Peace share "a common understanding" of the framework's goals.As part of the process of decommissioning weapons in Gaza and enabling the transition to civilian governance, and creating a safer future in the region for both Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza, a meeting was held earlier today (Monday) between High Representative NickolayShow moreThe objective was the "complete decommissioning of weapons" in Gaza, the board said, and a transition from rule by armed groups to civilian governance.It added that, contrary to what it called "inaccurate reports," the full withdrawal of IDF forces beyond the Yellow Line would take place only after disarmament is completed, including the removal of light and heavy weapons and tunnels.Implementation, the statement said, would be overseen by the International Stabilization Force and the Implementation Verification Committee, which includes representatives from the United States and the Board of Peace"Continued progress towards implementation in full depends on each side fulfilling its obligations under the agreed framework," the statement said.U.S. officials say no new Iran talks planned despite Trump's claimsU.S. officials told CBS News on Monday that no new negotiations with Iran are planned, despite President Donald Trump's claim that talks would resume later in the day.The officials said existing discussions between U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and the American negotiating team with Iranian counterparts through mediators would continue, but that there were no new or separate talks scheduled.Washington's envoys Jared Kushner (C), and Steve Witkoff (R), at Lake Lucerne Summit, at the Buergenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, Switzerland, three weeks ago. Credit: Urs Flueeler/AP Washington's envoys Jared Kushner (C), and Steve Witkoff (R), at Lake Lucerne Summit, at the Buergenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, Switzerland, three weeks ago. Credit: Urs Flueeler/AP Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei also rejected Trump's claim that a deal was imminent, saying Tehran was not holding direct negotiations with Washington."To avoid any misunderstanding, it is important to clarify what the current negotiations are about and who they are with," Baqaei said. "We are not negotiating with the United States at this time."He said Iran's discussions were with Oman and focused on reaching an understanding to ensure the safe passage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.Trump slams 'duplicitous' Iran for denying talks with U.S., says blockade on Iran to continue U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday accused Iran's leadership of being "unbelievably duplicitous," claiming Tehran had requested talks with Washington while publicly denying that negotiations were taking place.In a post on Truth Social, Trump said discussions had begun and that additional talks were scheduled in the near future, but claimed Iranian officials were saying they were only dealing with Oman. Credit: U.S. President Donald Trump's Truth Social post, Monday.Trump also said the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval presence and warned that nothing would pass through unless Washington allowed it."Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished," Trump wrote.He reiterated that Iran would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, saying Washington was seeking a solution to a problem Tehran had caused "for decades."Netanyahu 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.Hormuz traffic remains constrained