West Asia News Live: Israel campaigns to deter citizens from spying for Iran; Rubio says Syria clashes ending soon

The Trump administration is actively pushing back against a new U.S. intelligence assessment that reportedly contradicts President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions that American airstrikes last month “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities, as per a report in The Hill. This has created a public disagreement between the White House’s narrative on the effectiveness of its military action and the findings presented by its own intelligence community. The core of the conflict lies in the differing evaluations of the damage inflicted upon Iran’s nuclear programme by the recent U.S. strikes.

The 42nd Jerusalem Film Festival has commenced, with actress Gal Gadot and producer Lawrence Bender among those being honored, The Times of Israel says in a report. Festival director Roni Mahadev-Levin stated that the event is taking place despite facing what she described as ‘an unrelenting wave of attempts to cancel, silence, and boycott.’

Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Company has awarded a US$1.53 billion contract to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for a major development project, according to a report in Al-Monitor. The contract is for significant infrastructure work on the Diriyah giga-project, a central component of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy for economic diversification. CHEC is a Chinese state-owned enterprise.

Israel has officially demanded the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) abolish its commission of inquiry into rights violations in the Palestinian territories and Israel, according to a report in Reuters. In a letter, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Daniel Meron, accused the body of inherent discrimination. This diplomatic manoeuvre heightens geopolitical tensions in West Asia and carries significant implications for international legal frameworks. The move is viewed as part of a broader strategy by Israel to counter mounting international legal pressure, which includes an ongoing genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and intense scrutiny over its military operations in Gaza. A successful bid to scrap the commission could ease this pressure, but failure risks deepening Israel’s diplomatic isolation. For the Palestinians, the commission’s dissolution would remove a key mechanism for pursuing international accountability. The challenge to the UNHRC’s authority could also establish a precedent, potentially weakening global human rights oversight and creating uncertainty for investors who weigh geopolitical risk and the stability of international law.

An analysis identifies the prominent religious leaders and armed factions within Syria’s Druze community who are central to a developing agreement in the Suwayda province, according to a report in Al-Monitor. The report details the roles of three key religious figures and numerous local armed groups that have maintained operations in the Druze-majority province following the main phase of the Syrian civil war. This developing agreement is seen as a localized effort to address ongoing tensions and protests in the region, likely focusing on security arrangements and administrative control.

A decision by Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, to withhold the transfer of tax revenues collected on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA) has triggered a severe fiscal crisis, as per a report in Haaretz. These funds, which Israel collects under the terms of the Oslo Accords, are a cornerstone of the PA’s budget, essential for paying public sector salaries and maintaining basic services. The withholding action threatens to destabilise the West Bank’s economy, potentially leading to widespread social unrest and undermining the PA’s governing capacity. From a financial perspective, the move heightens geopolitical risk in West Asia, as the potential collapse of the PA could create a security vacuum, increase instability, and necessitate greater Israeli security expenditure, thereby impacting investor sentiment towards the region.

Syrians are increasingly returning to government-controlled territories such as Damascus to participate in rebuilding efforts, driven by a need for work and a perception of stability following the Assad regime’s consolidation of power, Foreign Policy says in a report. This nascent, localised reconstruction is occurring without significant international aid, primarily due to stringent sanctions like the US Caesar Act that deter foreign investment. However, returnees face significant personal dangers, including arbitrary detention and forced conscription. From an economic perspective, the lack of capital combined with this high-risk environment creates conditions for a ‘war economy’ that may benefit regime-affiliated entities rather than fostering broad-based development, complicating Western strategies of political and economic isolation.

Prominent Israeli settler leader Daniella Weiss stated in an interview that ‘Gazans finished their chapter of history’, Haaretz said in a report. Weiss, an influential but non-governmental figure associated with the hardline wing of the settler movement, made the statement in the context of the ongoing war and discussions about the future of Gaza. Her remarks are widely interpreted as advocating for the permanent displacement or removal of the Palestinian population from the territory.

Israel’s Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, has launched a sharp public attack against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud MK Yuli Edelstein regarding the ongoing controversy over drafting Haredi men into the military, Israel National News says in a report. In his remarks, Rabbi Yosef reportedly called the prime minister a ‘liar’ and used a derogatory term against Edelstein, referring to him as ‘the son of a priest’. The comments escalate tensions surrounding the issue, which puts significant strain on the stability of the governing coalition as it faces a Supreme Court deadline to legislate a new conscription law.

During a meeting with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that Israel does not trust Abu Mohammad al-Julani, leader of the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group, stating, “we trust only G-d and the IDF,” as per a report in Israel National News. Katz affirmed Israel’s policy to defend the Druze population and maintain security in the Golan Heights. He described the Israel Defense Forces’ presence and operations in southern Syria as the fundamental guarantee for Israel’s security on its northern border.

Economic growth in West Asia has slowed considerably, partly due to the ongoing ‘Maximum Pressure’ sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran after its 2018 withdrawal from the nuclear deal, The Times of Israel said in a report. These sanctions have curtailed Iran’s oil exports and financial access, with stalled negotiations to revive the deal preventing any relief. The slowdown is compounded by a broader global economic deceleration and volatile energy prices. The situation has significant political implications, creating internal pressure on Iran’s regime, raising security concerns for Israel and Gulf states, and potentially fuelling regional instability and social unrest due to worsening economic conditions for the population.

Members of the Druze community on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights have been observed expressing positive sentiment towards Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the border, according to a report in Haaretz. This reaction is linked to the Assad regime’s consolidation of power in southern Syria, which some in the cross-border community view as a return to stability after the country’s civil war. The sentiment highlights the complex loyalties of the Druze population, which was divided by the border following Israel’s capture of the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War. The development is considered a symbolic victory for the Syrian government and underscores the enduring ties between Druze communities in the Golan and Syria.

Unnamed U.S. officials have alleged that a directive ‘from above’ was given to halt the investigation into American businessman Jay Footlik in connection with the ongoing Qatargate corruption scandal, according to a report in Haaretz. The allegation reportedly surfaced following a scheduled interrogation of Footlik, who is described as a key figure in the European Parliament influence-peddling probe involving Qatar.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel will not allow the Syrian military to establish a presence south of Damascus, as per a report in Haaretz. The statement reiterates Israel’s established “red line” policy, which aims to prevent Iranian military entrenchment and the transfer of advanced weaponry to proxies like Hezbollah in Syria. The area south of Damascus is strategically critical due to its proximity to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel’s primary concern is the presence of Iranian-backed militias that often operate in coordination with the Syrian Arab Army.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency announced the killing of three Hamas commanders in a recent operation, Israel National News says in a report. Among those killed was Iyad Nasr, a commander in Hamas’s Jabaliya Battalion. The Israeli military stated that all three individuals had participated in the 7 October attacks on southern Israel.

A Belgian court has ordered the government of Wallonia, a region of Belgium, to cease granting export licences for military equipment destined for Israel, according to a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. The legally binding decision, based on concerns that the equipment could be used in actions violating international humanitarian law, introduces significant business and legal risks for defence companies operating in the region. This ruling is a notable victory for human rights organisations pursuing legal challenges to halt arms sales and adds to the growing international pressure on Israel. For the defence industry in Wallonia, the order creates immediate commercial uncertainty, threatening to disrupt established supply chains and potentially impacting the regional economy.

An Israeli citizen, who works as a teacher in the Negev region, has been arrested by the Israel Security Agency (ISA) and the Israel Police, as per a report in Israel National News. The individual is under suspicion of having conducted security-related missions within Israel on behalf of Iran. The joint operation highlights ongoing counter-espionage efforts by Israeli authorities.

Israeli military forces have demolished the homes of three Palestinians in Qabatiya, a town in the northern West Bank, who were allegedly involved in fatal shooting attacks, Israel National News said in a report. The action is part of a long-standing and controversial Israeli policy of punitive home demolitions, which Israel states is a deterrent against future attacks. The demolitions occur amid a recent escalation in violence across the West Bank. International human rights organizations often condemn such demolitions as a form of collective punishment that violates international law.

Authorities in Georgia have thwarted an alleged nuclear trafficking attempt in the port city of Batumi, arresting two individuals, according to a report in Israel National News. A Georgian and a Turkish national were reportedly apprehended while in possession of uranium with an estimated market value of $3 million. The interception of the nuclear material highlights ongoing security concerns regarding illicit trafficking in the Caucasus region, which is viewed as relevant to the security and non-proliferation efforts in West Asia.

Rabbi David Stav, a leading figure in the Religious Zionist movement, has publicly rebuked Haredi Member of Knesset Moshe Gafni amid the escalating debate over mandatory military service for the ultra-Orthodox community, Israel National News said in a report. Stav countered Gafni’s recent criticism of Religious Zionists by affirming that serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is a mandate derived from Torah values. He characterized the dispute as a political power struggle, highlighting the deep ideological rift between the Haredi position, which prioritizes full-time Torah study, and the Religious Zionist ethos of integrating national service with religious life. The public clash occurs as Israel’s government grapples with legislation on Haredi conscription, an issue intensified by the military’s increased manpower needs.

Slovenia has instituted an entry ban on Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, citing their alleged “genocidal statements”, Haaretz says in a report. This action marks the first time a European Union member state has taken such a measure against sitting Israeli ministers on these grounds. The move is a significant diplomatic signal of discontent with the Israeli government’s policies and rhetoric. It also highlights the lack of a unified EU foreign policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and sets a precedent for other member states to potentially take similar independent action.

Brigadier General Yair Palai, the commander of the Israeli Defense Forces’ 210th ‘Bashan’ Division, met with local leaders in the Golan Heights village of Majdal Shams to address border security, Israel National News said in a report. During the meeting, Palai issued a warning about the dangers of entering Syria and formally requested the leaders’ assistance in preventing any unauthorized crossings from the community. The division is tasked with securing the Golan Heights frontier with Syria.

Mediators in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas are continuing efforts to reach an agreement, but talks are reportedly stalled over Hamas’s opposition to updated Israeli military redeployment maps, Israel National News says in a report. Key sticking points include the specifics of introducing humanitarian aid, the terms of Israeli troop redeployment within Gaza, and obtaining guarantees from both sides for a permanent end to the war. The disagreement over the maps and security guarantees remains a central obstacle to achieving a ceasefire.

An indictment has been filed against an Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) soldier for alleged contact with a foreign agent and passing information to the enemy, according to a report in Israel National News. The soldier is accused of communicating with Iranian agents and providing them with information in exchange for financial payment.

The Israeli police’s decision to close an investigation into an alleged attack by a settler on an activist in the West Bank highlights persistent instability in the territory, a factor in assessing geopolitical risk for investors, Haaretz says in a report. While the single incident has negligible direct market impact, it is part of a wider trend of settler-related violence that human rights organisations claim often goes unprosecuted. Such recurring conflicts contribute to a climate of uncertainty that can deter foreign investment, increase security-related government expenditure, and carry the potential for broader escalation, impacting Israel’s economic outlook and international trade relations.

A suburb of Paris has withdrawn €40,000 in public funding for the Rock-en-Seine music festival over its booking of the pro-Palestinian Irish rap group Kneecap, according to a report in The Times of Israel. The decision by the Saint-Cloud municipal government was made in response to the inclusion of the Irish trio, who are known for their political commentary and solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The town’s withdrawal of funds was prompted by what it characterized as the band’s “anti-Israel” stance.

Arms dealers affiliated with Yemen’s Houthi militants have been discovered using social media platforms, including X and Meta’s WhatsApp, to sell weapons, according to a report in The Guardian. The report revealed that these traders, linked to the Iran-backed group, have been operating weapon stores on social media for years, trafficking arms that include some US-made items. This activity appears to violate the policies of the social media companies and occurs despite the Houthis, who have controlled parts of Yemen since 2014, being designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and other nations.

Pope Leo stated on Thursday his hope to travel to Turkey later this year for the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, Al-Monitor says in a report. This would be the first foreign trip of his papacy. The historic Christian summit was held in 325 AD in Nicaea, which is now the city of Iznik in Turkey, to address and decide upon key theological questions of early Christianity.

Israel’s finance and defence ministries announced a 42 billion shekel ($12.5 billion) increase in defence spending for 2025 and 2026, citing the country’s security challenges, according to a report in Reuters. In a joint statement, the ministries said the budget agreement will allow the Defence Ministry to advance “urgent and essential procurement deals critical to national security.”

Russia has officially condemned recent Israeli airstrikes in Syria, labelling them a ‘gross violation’ of the country’s sovereignty, as per a report in the Jerusalem Post. This public rebuke from a key military power in Syria signals rising diplomatic friction and a potential strain on the deconfliction mechanism that has historically helped manage Israeli and Russian operations in the country. From a market perspective, this escalation in rhetoric increases regional instability, which could introduce volatility into global energy prices and negatively affect investor sentiment towards businesses with exposure to the Levant. The statement underscores the complex geopolitical risks underpinning the region’s economic landscape, potentially impacting sectors from shipping and logistics to defence.

A diplomatic convoy carrying Western officials in Damascus narrowly avoided being hit during recent Israeli airstrikes in the Syrian capital, according to a report in Jerusalem Post. Anonymous sources confirmed that the strikes occurred just metres away from the convoy, but no one was injured and the vehicles continued on their way. The nationalities and number of diplomats involved were not disclosed. The incident occurs amidst heightened regional tensions and is seen as part of Israel’s ongoing campaign to counter Iranian military presence and weapons transfers in Syria, highlighting the significant geopolitical risks for international personnel operating in the volatile region.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states have reaffirmed their commitment to completing the long-planned regional railway project, a key initiative for enhancing economic development and prosperity in the region, as per a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. The project, which has previously faced significant delays, aims to create a railway network connecting all six member states: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. The renewed political will to finish the railway is a cornerstone of broader national strategies, such as Saudi Vision 2030, which seek to diversify economies away from oil by strengthening logistics, trade, and tourism infrastructure across the Gulf.

A 16-year-old Palestinian girl has recounted losing her parents and both of her legs when her home in Gaza was bombed by an Israeli attack, according to a report in Al Jazeera. The report details the girl’s personal story following the strike that destroyed her family’s residence amidst the ongoing conflict in the region.

Saudi Arabian authorities have filed criminal cases against 35 firms for breaching the Kingdom’s competition laws, which prohibit practices such as price-fixing and other anti-competitive behaviours, Asharq Al-Awsat says in a report. This enforcement action is a key component of the nation’s broader Vision 2030 economic reform agenda, which aims to create a more transparent, competitive, and fair market. The move signals heightened regulatory oversight for both domestic and foreign businesses and is intended to improve the overall business environment, thereby attracting greater foreign direct investment by demonstrating a firm commitment to the rule of law.

Saudi Arabia is set to send a delegation to the FISU World University Games Summer in Germany, a decision framed within its broader national strategy, Asharq Al-Awsat said in a report. This participation is a direct component of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan, which focuses on economic diversification, promoting youth engagement, and developing the country’s sports sector. The move is also part of a wider soft power initiative aimed at enhancing Saudi Arabia’s global image and projecting a modern, outward-looking profile through engagement in international cultural and sporting events.

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Turkey held discussions on the evolving situation in Syria, according to a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. The talks, which occur amid a continued rapprochement between Riyadh and Ankara, covered issues including political normalisation with Damascus, counter-terrorism efforts, border security, and the return of refugees. The dialogue is part of a broader trend of regional re-engagement on the Syrian conflict, with both nations adjusting their foreign policies and seeking to align strategies on regional security.

The United Nations Humanitarian Chief has described the current conditions in Gaza as “beyond vocabulary,” highlighting the extreme scale of suffering and devastation from the ongoing conflict, Asharq Al-Awsat says in a report. This statement reflects the catastrophic humanitarian crisis resulting from continuous military operations since October 2023 and severe restrictions on aid delivery. The description underscores urgent international calls for a ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access amid widespread displacement, destruction, and warnings from aid agencies about impending famine and the collapse of the healthcare system.

Human rights organisation Amnesty International has strongly rebuked the European Union, accusing it of a “cruel and unlawful betrayal” of Palestinians and European values, according to a report in The Guardian. The criticism, echoed by other human rights groups, came after EU ministers met in Brussels on Tuesday and decided against endorsing any sanctions on Israel in response to the war in Gaza and ongoing violence in the West Bank.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has declared that the world has failed the children of Gaza, citing the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis, according to a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. The statement from the UN agency highlights the widespread suffering among children, including severe malnutrition, disease, psychological trauma, and displacement. This declaration underscores the dire conditions in the region, which numerous international bodies have warned is on the brink of famine, and adds to the growing international pressure for a ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian aid access.