Netanyahu to Meet Trump as Iran Hardens Ceasefire Demands and Gulf Strikes Widen (Jul 24, 2123 UTC, 0023 Israel) (Morning Edition)

Ceasefire Rejection and Threats

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran will not accept a ceasefire until its demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz are met Israel Hayom. IRGC Major General Ali Abdollahi declared a new equation: one American soldier will be killed for every Iranian civilian martyred IRNA Al-Manar TV.

Oman Mediation

An Omani diplomatic delegation traveled to Tehran to discuss mechanisms concerning the Strait of Hormuz IRNA. Araghchi and his Omani counterpart held a phone call on maritime security and regional developments IRNA.

Diplomatic Outreach

Araghchi held separate calls with the foreign ministers of Egypt and China, discussing regional developments and ways to restore peace IRNA. China’s Wang Yi expressed support for Iran’s sovereignty, security, and national dignity IRNA. Iran’s interior minister urged BRICS to condemn aggression against nations and civilians IRNA.

IRGC Claims

The IRGC claimed to have destroyed US military quarters and fighter jets in Jordan, and a Patriot system and spy balloon in Erbil IRNA.

EU Sanctions

The EU added five Iranian judges and one hacker to its sanctions list for human rights violations IranWire.

Nuclear Deal

President Trump expressed doubts about the US-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement in a Truth Social post, following its announcement FDD.

US Strike on Tanker

Iran’s Fars news agency reported that the US attacked a liquefied natural gas tanker, believing it carried Iranian gas, killing two crew members N12 Chat.

Israeli Operations in South Lebanon

Israeli forces continued operations in southern Lebanon, with artillery shelling and house demolitions reported in Khiam, Al-Qantara, Taybeh, Markaba, Kfartebnit, Al-Tiri, Haddatha, and Beit Yahoun Al-Manar TV. An Israeli glider dropped a stun grenade on Al-Mansouri Al-Manar TV.

Hezbollah Statements

Hezbollah condemned what it called a massacre by Israeli forces in the West Bank village of Tal, near Nablus Al-Manar TV. Hezbollah also mourned Kozo Okamoto, a participant in the 1972 Lod Airport attack, who died in Beirut Al-Manar TV.

Lebanese Politics

Lebanese President returned from Washington; a political figure urged him to address the public on the outcomes of his visit regarding the south, occupation, reconstruction, and return Bint Jbeil News.

IDF Operations

Overnight, the IDF and ISA struck and dismantled Hamas terror infrastructure sites across the Gaza Strip, including weapons storage facilities, a manufacturing site, and underground infrastructure. Seized weapons included Kalashnikov rifles, RPG launchers, mortar shells, and explosive devices intended for attacks on IDF troops and Israeli civilians IDF Official. Israeli tanks opened fire toward eastern areas of Deir al-Balah city Quds News Network.

Deadly Clash and IDF Response

Following a deadly clash in the village of Tell near Nablus that killed two Israelis and four Palestinians, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the scene and vowed to hunt down all involved terrorists. He stated that the IDF has bolstered forces in the West Bank and deployed many additional troops for defensive and offensive operations against terrorist infrastructure IDF Official Manniefabian.

Settler Attacks

Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian homes and vehicles in villages near Nablus Al Jazeera. A Palestinian-American was reportedly injured in an armed settler attack in Sarra Quds News Network. A 15-year-old Palestinian was detained by Israeli forces days after surviving an arson attack by settlers; his mother had miscarried due to trauma from settler attacks Quds News Network. A 17-year-old died seven days after being shot by Israeli forces during a settler-backed raid in Al-Mughayyir; an investigation found evidence of prohibited ammunition Quds News Network.

UNESCO Listing

UNESCO placed Sebastia in the occupied West Bank on its endangered heritage list, alongside five Lebanese castles, despite Israeli objections Al Jazeera. Israel condemned the decision as a surrender to politicization and distortion of history News 0404 IL.

Archaeological Sites

Israeli authorities are expanding control over Palestinian archaeological sites in Sebastia and Nabi Samuel, using antiquities laws to transfer land to Israeli control Quds News Network.

ICC Developments

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan was dismissed, but arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant remain in place; Israel may petition the court to annul them on grounds of improper considerations N12 Chat. Venezuela announced its withdrawal from the ICC, accusing it of bias Al Jazeera N12 Chat.

UNESCO

UNESCO listed sites in the West Bank and Lebanon as endangered, drawing Israeli condemnation Al Jazeera News 0404 IL.

US-Saudi Nuclear Deal

President Trump raised doubts about the recently announced US-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement FDD.

US Embassy Advisory

The US Embassy in Jerusalem warned American citizens to be prepared for possible flight cancellations due to rising tensions in the Middle East Israel Hayom News 0404 IL Bint Jbeil News.

Trump Statements

Trump warned that if China and Russia supply weapons to Iran, it would be bad for them Israel Hayom. He also stated he does not believe China and Russia are participating in the Iranian conflict Bint Jbeil News. Trump convened senior administration officials to discuss escalating strikes on Iran N12 Chat.

Mali Drone Strikes

Bellingcat geolocated footage showing Shahed-136 type kamikaze drones in operation in Mali, verifying two recent strikes on villages Bellingcat.

South Africa-Israel Energy Ties

South Africa is boosting energy ties with Israel FDD.

EU Sanctions on Iran

The EU sanctioned five Iranian judges and one hacker for human rights violations IranWire.

Spain Wildfires

Spanish police accused a tractor driver of sparking a wildfire; over 100,000 people have been forced to flee heatwave-induced fires in Spain and France Al Jazeera.

UK-Yemen

FDD podcast discussed Britain’s new PM and Yemen’s Houthis FDD.

US Trade

US small businesses challenged Trump’s new ‘forced labor’ tariffs on 60 countries in a lawsuit Al Jazeera.

Canada-US

Canada marked the opening of the Gordie Howe bridge without US participation after the trade war deepened Al Jazeera.

Venezuela

Venezuela announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, accusing it of bias Al Jazeera N12 Chat.

North Korea

North Korea’s nuclear-armed navy is rising, with nuclear-capable cruise missiles launched from a soon-to-be commissioned guided missile destroyer FDD.

China-Iran

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart that Beijing supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and national dignity IRNA.

Pakistan-China Mediation

A Pakistan-China mediation effort for the Iran conflict collapsed TLDR Iran SITREP.

Yemen

Saudi Arabia struck Houthi-held Hodeidah, targeting telecom and Kamaran Island; a separate Red Sea attack damaged a Saudi vessel Al Jazeera TLDR Iran SITREP. Yemen appointed its first female foreign minister, Afrah al-Zouba Al Jazeera.

Gulf States

Kuwait and Bahrain launched their first direct strikes on Iranian drone and missile depots with UAE intel support TLDR Iran SITREP.

Egypt-Iran

Iranian and Egyptian foreign ministers discussed regional developments and ways to restore peace IRNA.

Syria

Syria is positioning itself as an alternative route for Iraqi oil exports amid the Hormuz disruption, focusing on energy deals and infrastructure revival FDD.

Oil Markets

Brent crude fell 4% to $96.78 and WTI fell 3% to $89.31 amid talk of de-escalation efforts TLDR Iran SITREP Bint Jbeil News.

Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab

Hormuz throughput remains at 7% of pre-war levels (4 tankers/day); Bab al-Mandab reroute holds at 116% (15.1 tankers/day) TLDR Iran SITREP.