Long War Journal

The US and Israel are in advanced preparations for renewed strikes on Iran, potentially as early as next week, as the IDF targeted Hamas military chief Izz al-Din al-Haddad in a Gaza City airstrike that killed at least seven. A US-brokered Israel-Lebanon ceasefire was extended by 45 days, but Israeli strikes continued in southern Lebanon, killing six including three paramedics. An Iraqi Kata'ib Hezbollah commander was charged in the US for plotting attacks on Jewish targets in New York and Los Angeles.

A Hezbollah explosive drone struck a parking lot near Rosh Hanikra in northern Israel, wounding three civilians, two seriously, in what the IDF called a “blatant violation” of ceasefire understandings. The attack came as Israeli and Lebanese delegations convened in Washington for a third round of direct talks, with Israel proposing a phased plan for Hezbollah disarmament. In the Strait of Hormuz, a commercial vessel was seized and diverted to Iran, while another cargo ship was sunk off Oman, drawing condemnation from India. The IDF expanded airstrikes across southern Lebanon and the Western Bekaa, and Prime Minister Netanyahu announced Israel would sue the New York Times over a column alleging widespread sexual abuse of Palestinian prisoners.

US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest ceasefire response as “totally unacceptable,” while Hezbollah launched multiple loitering glider attacks on IDF vehicles in southern Lebanon. EU foreign ministers approved sanctions on violent Israeli settlers and settler groups, and Prime Minister Netanyahu convened an urgent security meeting amid the diplomatic impasse.