LiveLive Updates August 05, 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 05, 2026Netanyahu says no Israeli withdrawal from Gaza until Hamas has been completely disarmedPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel will not withdraw from its current lines in Gaza until Hamas has completely disarmed and pushed back on a recent deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.The agreement called for Hamas to begin disarming and for Israel to halt its strikes and begin withdrawing from the roughly 60 percent of Gaza it currently controls. It was based on an October cease-fire agreement that ended major military operations and brought about the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza but has stalled on other fronts.Netanyahu reiterated his stance that disarmament should come first. He said Israeli forces would continue to "do whatever is necessary to protect themselves, our territory, and our citizens."The Trump administration "sent us a draft. We did not agree. It is not our draft. We sent our comments. This is our position," Netanyahu said in a video posted on social media.Qatar says mediators make progress in efforts to end U.S.-Iran warQatar said on Tuesday mediators were making progress in efforts to end the U.S.-Iran war, driving oil prices lower, although Tehran has denied President Donald Trump's assertion that talks are already under way.Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani discussed efforts to narrow differences between Washington and Tehran and improve the prospects for a lasting settlement during a phone call on Tuesday, Qatar's Emiri office said.It said the emir stressed the importance of dialogue and adherence to the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding of mid-June that provided for the immediate cessation of military operations.Trump said on Monday that talks with Tehran had started and Iran faced a "last chance" to reach a deal. Iranian officials insisted no negotiations with the U.S. were taking place.The U.S. president's comments on Monday followed his weekend decision to cancel plans for what he described as "massive attacks" on Iran, extending a pattern in which he has threatened major military action before pulling back and pointing to diplomatic contacts.Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said talks with Oman over transit through the strait were positive and continuing, focused on establishing safe shipping lanes, state media reported. He added the route being negotiated was aimed at ensuring the sovereign rights and national security of both Iran and Oman.RECAP: Netanyahu insists IDF will remain in Gaza until Hamas disarms; Qatar cites progress toward ending U.S.-Iran warHere are Tuesday's latest updates:■ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel will not withdraw from its current lines in Gaza until Hamas has completely disarmed and pushed back on a recent deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.■ Israel's political leadership instructed the military not to carry out assassination strikes in Gaza without the IDF chief of staff's approval, allowing troops to strike without such approval only in cases of "imminent danger."■ Qatar said on Tuesday that mediators were making progress in efforts to end the U.S.-Iran war, driving oil prices lower, although Tehran has denied President Donald Trump's assertion that talks are already under way.■ 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.■ Israeli military vehicles advanced deeper into Lebanese territory while shelling the area of the new incursion, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.■ 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. 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