West Asia News Live: Gaza catastrophe sparks urgent diplomacy as Israel-Syria talks signal rare breakthrough

The foreign minister of Saudi Arabia held a phone call on Thursday with his counterpart from Eritrea to review bilateral relations and discuss regional and international developments of mutual interest, Asharq Al-Awsat said in a report.

Germany has no short-term plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state, a government spokesperson confirmed, as per a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. Berlin’s official position is that while it supports a two-state solution, recognition should only come as the result of a direct negotiated settlement between Israelis and Palestinians. This stance differentiates Germany from several other European nations that have recently recognized Palestinian statehood, as Germany continues to prioritize a negotiated process over a unilateral declaration.

Saudi Arabia will host a Milky Way stargazing event at Arch Rock in AlUla next week, as per a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. The event is part of a broader national strategy to develop AlUla into a global heritage and tourism destination. This initiative is a component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which is spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and aims to diversify the kingdom’s economy away from oil by fostering new sectors such as tourism and entertainment.

Hundreds of protesters demonstrated on Downing Street in London to draw attention to the severe hunger crisis in Gaza, Al Jazeera says in a report. The demonstrators banged pots and pans as a symbolic act to protest the humanitarian situation and call for action regarding the food shortages in the region.

Israeli police used force to disperse an anti-war demonstration in Tel Aviv on July 24, while separately arresting 24 protesters at a similar rally in the city of Haifa, Haaretz said in a report. The protest in Tel Aviv was met with a forceful police response to clear the demonstrators, and the arrests in Haifa occurred during another gathering against the war.

Greece has extended a formal invitation to Libya’s Government of National Unity to start negotiations on delimiting their shared maritime zones, a significant diplomatic move aimed at resolving tensions over energy and territorial rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, Asharq Al-Awsat says in a report. The invitation directly challenges the 2019 maritime boundary agreement between Turkey and Libya’s former government, a deal that Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus deem a violation of international law for disregarding the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Greek islands. A successful dialogue could potentially nullify or renegotiate the 2019 pact, which would have significant economic implications for future energy exploration rights in the gas-rich region. This development represents a potential diplomatic setback for Turkey’s regional ambitions, while offering Libya’s internationally recognised government a chance to improve relations with its European neighbours, though it risks alienating its key ally, Turkey, and facing opposition from rival internal factions.

Iran has signalled a conditional willingness to re-engage in nuclear talks with the United States, stipulating that Washington must first take measures to rebuild trust, as per a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. This position is rooted in the 2018 unilateral withdrawal of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during the first Trump administration and the subsequent reimposition of stringent economic sanctions. These sanctions continue to exert significant pressure on the Iranian economy. The statement comes against a backdrop of stalled diplomatic efforts and Iran’s progressive scaling back of its own commitments under the deal, including enriching uranium to higher purities. For financial markets, any move towards de-escalation could temper the geopolitical risk premium affecting global oil prices, whereas a continued stalemate perpetuates economic uncertainty in a critical region.

US Senator Marco Rubio met with the families of hostages held in Gaza, affirming a commitment to securing a release agreement, as per a report in Israel National News. The meeting, where families urged immediate action, underscores continued high-level US political engagement in the West Asia conflict and the families’ expressed trust in the Trump administration to secure a comprehensive deal.

An overnight Israeli strike on a tent in Gaza resulted in the deaths of several people, including Palestinian journalist Adam Abu Harbid, Al Jazeera said in a report. The incident occurred on the night of July 24-25, 2025.

Amid waning ceasefire and hostage release negotiations for Gaza, US President Donald Trump has declared that Hamas will be ‘hunted down,’ Al Jazeera said in a report. Trump asserted that Hamas is rejecting a proposed deal because it knows “what happens” after the final Israeli captives are released. This statement comes as diplomatic efforts to secure a truce in the ongoing conflict have reportedly stalled.

A significant dispute has emerged between Washington and Baghdad over the actions of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), as per a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. While the PMF is an umbrella organization officially integrated into Iraqi state security forces, several powerful factions within it maintain autonomy and allegiance to Iran, often acting outside the government’s control. These Iran-backed groups have been linked to attacks on U.S. forces and diplomatic missions, creating friction with Washington, whose troops are in Iraq at the government’s invitation to combat ISIS. The situation places the Iraqi government in a difficult position as it struggles to assert sovereignty and control over these influential militias while managing its strategic partnership with the United States.

France’s Court of Cassation has annulled an international arrest warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which was issued over the use of banned chemical weapons in the Ghouta district in 2013, Al Jazeera says in a report. The court’s decision was based on the principle of head-of-state immunity, which protects current leaders from prosecution in foreign national courts. This ruling reverses a lower court’s decision and marks a significant legal development in the efforts by human rights organizations to hold the Syrian leader accountable for alleged war crimes through universal jurisdiction in France.

Canada’s government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, has issued a formal call for the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid operations led by the United Nations in Gaza, according to a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. This diplomatic move adds to the growing international pressure on Israel to facilitate unhindered aid access to address the severe humanitarian crisis and warnings of famine in the territory. The call is consistent with Canada’s current policy, as it was one of the first nations to resume funding to the UN’s primary agency in the region, UNRWA, in March 2024 following a temporary suspension. From an economic perspective, this action underscores the persistent geopolitical instability in West Asia, a key risk factor that can influence regional market sentiment and investor confidence.

Two separate attempted attacks by knife-wielding individuals in the West Bank were thwarted, with both assailants neutralised by security forces, Israel National News says in a report. The incidents took place within an hour of each other near the Israeli settlements of Shim’a in the Har Hevron region and Migdal Oz in Gush Etzion. No injuries were reported among Israeli civilians or security personnel.

Israeli police have questioned Likud party MK Hanoch Milwidsky regarding sex offence allegations, according to a report in The Times of Israel. In response, Milwidsky has accused law enforcement of ‘political persecution’. This development adds to the existing political tensions in Israel, particularly the friction between the current government and the nation’s legal institutions over a controversial judicial overhaul. For investors and businesses, such events increase perceived political risk, as they can contribute to government instability and distract from economic policy. The MK’s claim echoes a narrative used by other senior figures in the ruling coalition facing legal challenges, potentially deepening institutional distrust and impacting investor confidence in the country’s political stability.

An explosion in Syria’s Idlib province has resulted in civilian casualties, Asharq Al-Awsat said in a report, citing Syrian state-run Al Ekhbariah TV. The incident took place in the last major opposition-held stronghold in northwest Syria.

The Jerusalem municipality has issued a formal letter threatening legal action against the Israeli police, citing the significant financial burden of cleaning up the ‘Skunk’ liquid used for crowd control, according to a report in Times of Israel. The city claims it has spent millions of shekels to decontaminate areas after the police deployed the noxious, foul-smelling substance, which it described in its letter to police officials as a “hazard and nuisance.” This move highlights a growing dispute between the local government and the national police force over the financial and public welfare consequences of law enforcement tactics, bringing into focus the operational costs and liabilities of security measures.

Hamas is confronting a severe financial and administrative crisis, with its military wing unable to pay fighters and its de facto government in Gaza cutting essential services and salaries for public employees, The Washington Post said in a report. This fiscal collapse stems from the near-total destruction of Gaza’s economy and infrastructure during the ongoing Israeli military campaign, which has eliminated the group’s ability to generate internal revenue through taxation. The crisis is compounded by intensified international sanctions and disruptions to external funding streams, which were historically critical to its operations, following the October 7, 2023, attacks.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has publicly called on the United Kingdom and other nations to formally recognise the state of Palestine and to support its acceptance as a full member of the United Nations, according to a report in Israel National News. The call comes after several European countries, including Spain, Ireland, and Norway, recently recognised Palestine. Abbas’s push for statehood recognition and full UN membership is an effort to advance Palestinian claims through international diplomatic channels outside of direct negotiations with Israel.

A US and Israeli-backed aid operation, which has become the primary method for food distribution in Gaza, is being implemented by for-profit companies and is a contentious issue in ongoing ceasefire negotiations, according to a report in The Washington Post. Established in response to international pressure to increase humanitarian assistance, the plan’s reliance on commercial entities for logistics and distribution has sparked controversy. Concerns have been raised regarding transparency, potential profiteering from the crisis, and the decision to bypass established, non-profit humanitarian organizations.

Israel’s Red Sea port of Eilat faces the prospect of a complete shutdown, threatening a significant blow to the regional economy, as per a report in The Washington Post. The port, which was already in a diminished economic state, has seen its activity severely curtailed by the ongoing campaign of Houthi attacks on shipping in the region. Officials have warned that without substantial government assistance, the port’s closure is imminent, an outcome that would be perceived as a strategic victory for the Houthi movement. The attacks, which the Houthis claim are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have underscored the vulnerability of critical maritime infrastructure and have already led to widespread diversion of global trade routes away from the Red Sea, exacerbating Eilat’s economic distress.

US President Donald Trump has declared that Israel must “fight and clear the area” to eliminate Hamas after asserting that the group sabotaged a hostage deal, according to a report in Israel National News. Echoing this position, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated, “The humiliating negotiations are over—now is the time for victory.” The statements from both figures signal a potential shift away from diplomatic negotiations in favour of a renewed military focus in the conflict.

The US military announced it killed a senior ISIL (ISIS) leader, Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani, and two of his sons during a raid in Syria’s Aleppo province, according to a report in Al Jazeera. The operation is part of ongoing US counter-terrorism efforts against ISIL remnants in the region. Although the group was territorially defeated in 2019, it continues to operate as an insurgency with sleeper cells, prompting such raids. The operation highlights the continued US military presence in Syria, which is focused on combating ISIL alongside local partners.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister received a written message from his Russian counterpart concerning bilateral relations and key international issues, according to a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. Separately, the Saudi Foreign Minister also held talks with the British Foreign Secretary in Riyadh. Their discussion focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and reviewing recent regional and global developments.

Brazilian footballer Roberto Firmino has completed a transfer from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli to Qatar’s Al-Sadd, signing a two-year deal with the Qatari club, according to a report in Asharq Al-Awsat.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will allow humanitarian aid airdrops into Gaza to resume in response to worsening conditions on the ground, according to a report in Haaretz. The decision comes amid a severe and ongoing humanitarian crisis and significant international pressure on Israel to facilitate more aid into the besieged territory. While authorizing the airdrops—a delivery method typically reserved for extreme circumstances where land access is not possible—the IDF has officially denied reports of “widespread hunger,” a position that contrasts with multiple warnings of imminent famine from United Nations agencies and other international aid organizations.

Prominent Haredi journalist Aryeh Ehrlich has strongly condemned remarks by MK Yitzhak Goldknopf, who serves as Israel’s Minister of Housing and Construction, regarding the bereavement of religious-Zionist families, according to a report in Israel National News. Goldknopf’s statement was perceived as distancing himself from the grief of these families amid the ongoing war with Hamas. Ehrlich, the editor of the influential Haredi magazine Mishpacha, characterised the minister’s comments as “un-Jewish” and “callous.” The incident occurs against the backdrop of a contentious national debate over Haredi military conscription, an issue amplified by the significant casualties sustained by the religious-Zionist community during the conflict.

One person was killed in a drone strike conducted by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in southern Lebanon, as per a report in Haaretz. The fatality was confirmed by the Lebanese Health Ministry. This incident is part of the continuous cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which have been ongoing since the wider conflict began on October 7, 2023.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it killed Amjad Muhammad Hassan Shaer, who it identified as the head of the Counterintelligence Directorate in Hamas’s General Security Apparatus, Israel National News said in a report. The operation, which was confirmed on Friday, took place in northern Gaza earlier this week. According to the IDF, Shaer’s role involved leading Hamas’s efforts to detect and counter Israeli intelligence operations.

Human rights activists allege that Saudi Arabia is using widespread travel bans as a tool to silence dissent, targeting former political prisoners and prominent women’s rights campaigners. These restrictions, which reportedly affect activists such as Loujain al-Hathloul and Maryam al-Otaibi, are also frequently extended to their family members, as per a report in The Guardian. This policy creates significant reputational risk for the Kingdom and may complicate its efforts to attract foreign investment under its Vision 2030 framework, which seeks to project the image of a modernising nation. The continued suppression of activists, even those who advocated for reforms the state has since adopted, presents a contradiction that could weigh on investor sentiment and international business partnerships.

Significant operational delays are being reported at Israel’s primary international gateway, Ben Gurion Airport, as per a report in Israel National News. A dispute has emerged over the cause of the disruption; employees claim the delays stem from a genuine staff shortage, whereas management reportedly believes the issue is a deliberate work slowdown. The situation has considerable economic implications, potentially impacting Israel’s tourism sector, business travel, and its international reputation as a stable hub. This labour dispute occurs against a backdrop of broader societal tensions and economic pressures within the country.

Former Lebanese President Michel Aoun has warned that the country’s populace is exhausted and cannot endure another major conflict, as per a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. The statement addresses the severe economic and political crises that have gripped Lebanon since 2019, compounded by ongoing cross-border clashes between Hezbollah and Israel. Aoun’s remarks underscore the public fatigue from years of financial collapse, hyperinflation, and political paralysis. The warning is delivered in the context of Aoun’s past political alliance with Hezbollah and amid fears that escalating border tensions could trigger a devastating conflict, which would have catastrophic implications for Lebanon’s already shattered economy and stability.

An indictment has been filed against an Israeli Arab man from the northern city of Tamra on several security offenses, including contact with a foreign agent and assisting a designated terrorist organization, Israel National News says in a report. The man is accused of transferring approximately 1.5 million New Israeli Shekels to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. According to the charges, the funds were allegedly disguised as charitable donations intended for children in the Gaza Strip.

A new poll published by the Maariv newspaper indicates that while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party would be the largest in the Knesset with 25 seats, the opposition bloc would secure a 61-seat majority, according to a report in Israel National News. This potential majority for the opposition, which could rise to 62 seats with the inclusion of new parties, highlights significant political fragility and challenges the stability of the current governing coalition. From a market perspective, this persistent political deadlock raises concerns about potential governmental instability, which could introduce volatility to the Israeli shekel and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The prospect of another election cycle or difficulties in passing key economic legislation, such as the state budget, may weigh on investor confidence and business sentiment.

Lebanon’s prime minister has secured French support during a brief visit to Paris, a development that could enhance the government’s international legitimacy amid a protracted economic crisis and a presidential vacuum that has persisted since October 2022, as per a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. The visit is a continuation of France’s long-standing engagement in Lebanon, which is often aimed at encouraging essential reforms in exchange for international aid. This French backing could provide the prime minister with crucial political capital to navigate internal political challenges and potentially unlock further diplomatic or financial assistance needed to address the country’s severe economic collapse.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has officially announced its readiness to confront recent threats from Israel regarding potential military strikes on Iranian territory, according to a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. The statement from the influential military organization signals a heightened state of alert amid ongoing regional tensions. This declaration is a direct response to what Iran perceives as new threats of Israeli military action, likely linked to the advancement of Iran’s nuclear program.

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Saudi Arabia has launched an open call for a new art prize, marking a significant step in the nation’s cultural development strategy, according to a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. This initiative is a direct component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy away from oil by fostering sectors such as arts, entertainment, and tourism. The establishment of such a prize by Ithra, a state-backed institution founded by Saudi Aramco, underscores the government’s investment in projecting soft power and enhancing its international image. The move also intensifies regional competition with other Gulf states, notably the UAE and Qatar, which have similarly invested heavily in establishing themselves as cultural hubs to attract global talent and investment.

The leadership of Saudi Arabia has sent messages of condolence to Russian President Vladimir Putin after a recent plane crash, Asharq Al-Awsat said in a report. The messages conveyed sympathies to the president, the families of the victims, and the people of Russia following the tragic event. This diplomatic communication is a standard protocol observed between nations in the wake of such disasters.

Saudi Post has released a new commemorative stamp to celebrate the Riyadh Metro project, a major public transport initiative in the capital, Asharq Al-Awsat said in a report. The project is a significant component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a national strategy focused on economic diversification and modernization. The Riyadh Metro, a multi-billion-dollar development, is not yet fully operational and is being launched in phases across its network.