LiveLive Updates August 04, 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 04, 2026Updates23 minutes agoIsrael, Lebanon begin next round of talks; U.S. urges Hezbollah disarmament, IDF withdrawal from pilot zonesIsraeli and Lebanese representatives are set to begin a three-day round of U.S.-mediated talks in Rome on Tuesday, the seventh session of direct negotiations since the cease-fire between Iran, the United States and Israel was declared in April.Israel will be represented by its ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter. Lebanon's delegation is expected to be led by its ambassador, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, and diplomat Simon Karam, a former Lebanese ambassador to the United States.An explosion in southern Lebanon last week. Credit: AFP/AMMAR AMMARAn explosion in southern Lebanon last week. Credit: AFP/AMMAR AMMARAccording to an Israeli source who spoke to Haaretz, military delegations will also participate in the talks, which will be divided into working groups. Israel's military team will include representatives from the IDF, the Defense Ministry and the National Security Council.The source added that the parties will review the implementation of the pilot zones already in operation, focusing on the limited area near Zawtar al-Gharbiyah from which the IDF withdrew last month, as well as the villages of Froun and Srifa, where the Lebanese Army has since deployed. The sides are also expected to discuss expanding the pilot-zone program to additional areas.The talks will also cover land and maritime border issues. On Monday, the Lebanese Al-Akhbar newspaper reported that Beirut had expanded its delegation to include maritime border expert Najib Massihi, a move the newspaper said could signal Lebanon's willingness to revisit the 2022 maritime border agreement with Israel.Read the full articleIran seeks control over inbound Hormuz route, senior Iranian source says⁠Iran ‌wants control over ‌inbound shipping through the Strait of ⁠Hormuz and visibility ⁠over outbound traffic, with the ability to intervene if necessary, under a plan being discussed ‌with Oman to reopen ‌the strategic waterway, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Tuesday.Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June. Credit: Stringer/REUTERSVessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June. Credit: Stringer/REUTERSThe source, who is involved in the talks, said this is "the general idea ⁠currently being discussed", and specified that the outbound lane ‌would ⁠follow a route ‌between Iran and Oman, with exit clearance granted through ⁠Oman after notifying Iran."Tehran is unlikely to change its position," ‌the source added.RECAP: Round of talks between Israel and Lebanon begins in RomeHere are Tuesday's latest updates:■ Israel and Lebanon began a new round of talks in Rome, as Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected direct negotiations with Israel and urged the Lebanese government to cooperate with the group instead.■ Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would defend its borders but does not seek a broader war, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said talks with Iran were underway despite Tehran's denial.■ Iran said it had prepared strikes on three locations in Ukraine after an alleged Ukrainian attack on an Iranian merchant ship in the Caspian Sea, but canceled the operation after Kyiv said the strike was accidental.■ A mass funeral was held in Gaza City for 112 Palestinians whose remains were recovered from the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli strikes in November 2023. Rescue teams said about 157 bodies are still believed to be trapped.■ Gaza's Health Ministry said an average of three cancer patients die each day due to a lack of treatment, claiming about 4,000 patients approved for care abroad remain unable to leave the Strip. The figures could not be independently verified.■ Palestinian media reported that Israeli settlers torched vehicles, homes and other property in the West Bank villages of Talfit and Jalud, south of Nablus. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military or police.■ A Liberia-flagged cargo ship was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The crew abandoned the vessel after a fire and complete electrical blackout, and one crew member is reported missing.■ Houthi threats against Saudi shipping have forced Saudi oil tankers to reroute around Africa, cutting crude flows through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait by about 50 percent and increasing shipping costs, according to a report by CNN.Cargo ship hit by projectile near Strait of Hormuz; crew abandons vesselA Liberia-flagged cargo ship was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, maritime security sources said. The crew abandoned the vessel after the impact, and one crew member is reported missing.The vessel, the Minoan Pioneer, was sailing near the coast of Oman when it was hit. According to British maritime risk management firm Vanguard, the projectile struck the engine room, sparking a fire in the accommodation area. The crew remained aboard to battle the blaze while awaiting assistance, and the ship's third engineer is missing.Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Monday. Credit: Stringer/REUTERSVessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Monday. Credit: Stringer/REUTERSThe source of the projectile has not been identified. The vessel's Greece-based operator, Modion Maritime Management, did not immediately comment.Likud court strikes down primary rules, blocking ministers from running in districtsThe Likud internal court on Tuesday overturned the party's primary election framework, ruling that sitting ministers and lawmakers cannot compete in regional districts that had been reserved for new candidates. The decision is expected to push many incumbent MKs out of realistic positions on the party's Knesset slate, particularly if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu uses the eight reserved slots approved under the compromise framework.The framework, reached in a deal between Netanyahu and Likud officials, allowed the prime minister to reserve eight spots on the party list while permitting sitting lawmakers and ministers to compete in regional districts despite those slots traditionally being intended for newcomers.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu votes in the elections for the Likud center at the Nation Building in Jerusalem, in 2025. Credit: Olivier FitoussiPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu votes in the elections for the Likud center at the Nation Building in Jerusalem, in 2025. Credit: Olivier FitoussiThe court also ruled that incumbent lawmakers or ministers seeking guaranteed representation slots – including reserved positions for women and minorities – must immediately resign from the Knesset before running for those spots.The framework was approved as part of a compromise between Netanyahu, Likud Central Committee chairman Haim Katz, and other party figures after Netanyahu secured the ability to appoint eight candidates of his choosing to the list. The reserved slots raised concerns among lawmakers that they could be pushed into unrealistic positions.The decision comes after the Likud court last week rejected Netanyahu's initiative to cancel primaries in the event of an emergency or renewed war, ruling that "there is no room to open even a small door" to canceling internal elections. Netanyahu has not yet commented on Tuesday's ruling.Gaza Health Ministry: Three cancer patients dying daily due to lack of treatmentGaza's Health Ministry said that an average of three cancer patients die each day in the Strip due to complications from the disease and the lack of essential treatments, as thousands of patients remain unable to leave Gaza for diagnosis or care abroad.Dr. Mohammed Abu Nada, medical director of the Gaza Cancer Center, said around 4,000 cancer patients with official referrals for treatment or diagnostic procedures outside Gaza are unable to leave due to border restrictions and closures.A Palestinian child receives cancer treatment at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, south Gaza, last year. Credit: Ramadan Abed/ReutersA Palestinian child receives cancer treatment at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, south Gaza, last year. Credit: Ramadan Abed/ReutersAbu Nada said Gaza's health system is facing severe shortages of cancer treatments and supportive care, including a lack of radiotherapy services and a 61 percent deficit in chemotherapy drugs. He added that the destruction of specialized treatment centers and the absence of available options have forced medical teams to make increasingly difficult decisions, including performing full mastectomies in some early-stage breast cancer cases when less invasive treatment options are unavailable.The Health Ministry's figures have not been independently verified. Israel has said restrictions on movement and aid into Gaza are linked to security considerations and efforts to prevent Hamas from exploiting humanitarian channels.2 hours agoHezbollah chief rejects talks with Israel, urges Lebanese government to cooperateHezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected direct negotiations with Israel and called on Lebanon's government to cooperate with the Iran-backed group, saying Hezbollah and its ally Amal would lead reconstruction efforts in areas damaged during the fighting.In a speech, Qassem accused the United States and Israel of waging a campaign of "aggression" aimed at eliminating the "resistance" and establishing American control over the region. He claimed Hezbollah had thwarted Israel's goals in the war that began in September 2024 and said a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding had contributed to the reduction in fighting.Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem speaks last year. Credit: Al Manar TV/ReutersHezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem speaks last year. Credit: Al Manar TV/ReutersQassem said the conflict's objective had been to "uproot the resistance from Lebanon," but claimed Hezbollah had prevented that outcome and secured an agreement recognizing the group's continued existence.He accused Israel and its allies of spending 15 months attempting to gradually dismantle Hezbollah and preparing for a broader campaign, but said they had been surprised by the group's preparedness and public support.Qassem said negotiations with Israel had brought Lebanon only "shame, humiliation and concessions," and urged Beirut to abandon what he called "free concessions," open a dialogue with Hezbollah and strengthen Lebanese sovereignty.He also claimed that Israeli strikes on Lebanon were carried out "under American supervision, management and approval," and said Israel would not achieve its objectives as long as the "resistance" remained.Addressing Iran, Qassem praised the Islamic Republic's leadership and said it had emerged victorious from the recent confrontation. He also emphasized Hezbollah's alliance with Amal and pledged that the two groups would oversee reconstruction in areas affected by the fighting.Gaza City holds mass funeral for 112 Palestinians recovered from rubbleA mass funeral is being held in Gaza City for 112 Palestinians from the al-Hasina and Abu Sharia families whose bodies were recovered from the rubble of residential buildings in the Sabra neighborhood, according to reports from Gaza.Palestinians attend the funeral of 112 members of the al-Hassayna and Abu Sharia families, killed in an Israeli strike in 2023 and whose remains were recovered from beneath the rubble, according to Gaza's Civil Defense, in Gaza City, Tuesday. Credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/REUTERSPalestinians attend the funeral of 112 members of the al-Hassayna and Abu Sharia families, killed in an Israeli strike in 2023 and whose remains were recovered from beneath the rubble, according to Gaza's Civil Defense, in Gaza City, Tuesday. Credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/REUTERSThe buildings were reportedly struck on November 22–23, 2023, with around 308 people believed to have been buried beneath the ruins. A Civil Defense rescue operation launched in mid-July following a request from the families lasted 136 hours and recovered 112 bodies, including 44 children and 37 women.Rescue teams said that around 157 additional bodies remain trapped beneath the concrete.Iran was ready to strike three sites in Ukraine over ship attack, top military adviser saysIran was prepared to strike three locations in Ukraine in response to what Tehran said was a Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea last week, a senior military adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Monday.Mohsen Rezaei, a senior adviser to Iran's leadership, said in an interview with Iranian state television that Tehran had prepared a response but halted it after Kyiv said the strike was accidental, Iran's state-linked Press TV reported.Former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei claimed Iran was prepared to strike three locations in Ukraine after an alleged Ukrainian attack on an Iranian merchant ship in the Caspian Sea, but said the operation was canceled after Ukraine 'apologized'Last week, Iran accused Ukraine of striking one of its commercial vessels carrying iron cargo, killing one crew member and wounding three others. Kyiv said it had carried out drone strikes on two Russian vessels transporting military cargo in the Caspian Sea.Iranian officials had threatened retaliation, but tensions eased after a phone call between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Ukrainian counterpart, in which Araghchi said Kyiv had assured Tehran the strike was unintentional."Even if it was a mistake, it still requires compensation," Rezaei said Monday.In the same interview, Rezaei said Iran was focused on negotiations with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz and not talks with the United States, warning that if a blockade of the waterway continued, "U.S. forces will face casualties."Iran's president Pezeshkian says Tehran defends its borders but does not seek an expansion of war Iran ‌defends its borders ⁠but ⁠does not seek an expansion of war, President Masoud ‌Pezeshkian said on Tuesday, according to state media.Pezeshkian's statement comes against the backdrop of conflicting messages between Washington and Tehran: While U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that talks with Iran were already underway, Tehran officially denied the allegations and made it clear that no negotiations were planned between the parties.In the NewsThe Ancient City in Israel That Survived by Being ForgottenHezbollah Disarmament, Pilot Zones: Next Round of Israel-Lebanon Talks UnderwayA Good Visit to Israel, Tainted by Two Disturbing Incidents at the AirportIsrael's Minister of Jewish Terror Is Confused and InarticulateTrump No Longer Calling the Shots? 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