West Asia News Live: US targets Iran tech smuggling as Iraq accuses Israel of airspace violations

An Iranian crowdfunding movement has allegedly raised over $40 million as a reward for the assassination of US President Donald Trump, according to a report in Fox News. The information was initially publicized by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), which monitors regional media. This development emerges against a backdrop of long-standing tensions between the US and Iran, which were previously exacerbated by events during Trump’s first term, including the 2018 US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the 2020 assassination of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences and delivered a eulogy for three Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers who were killed in the Gaza Strip, Israel National News said in a report. The deaths occurred amid the IDF’s ongoing ground operations in the Palestinian territory as part of the continuing conflict in the region. Netanyahu’s statement acknowledged the soldiers’ sacrifice.

Hamas has reportedly agreed to the entry of 500 aid trucks into Gaza on the condition that the aid is delivered without the involvement of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), according to a report in Israel National News. Despite this concession on the aid mechanism, the group continues to insist on its primary demands as part of broader negotiations. These conditions include the complete withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the Gaza Strip, a comprehensive plan for reconstruction, and a clear mechanism for aid distribution.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has renewed urgent calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, describing the destruction in the territory as ‘horrific’ and having ‘no parallel’, according to a report in Al Jazeera. His statement highlights the severe humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict that began on October 7, 2023. The renewed appeal for a ceasefire comes amidst stalled diplomatic negotiations and after repeated failures by the UN Security Council to pass a binding resolution for a permanent cessation of hostilities.

A soldier serving in the Israel Defense Forces’ Nahal Brigade was found dead from an apparent suicide at a military base in northern Israel, Israel National News said in a report. The incident is the third reported suicide of an IDF soldier within the last week and a half.

The corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which recently resumed after a month-long break, will not hold additional hearings during the judicial summer recess, according to a report in Haaretz. The decision by the judges means the proceedings, in which Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, will experience a further slowdown. The pace of the trial remains a significant and contentious factor within the Israeli political landscape, intersecting with ongoing debates about judicial reform and public protests.

A report from Israel’s Justice Ministry states that ‘Aid 48,’ a non-governmental organization (NGO) with links to the Islamist Ra’am party led by Mansour Abbas, provided funds to charities in the West Bank, according to a report in The Times of Israel. The recipient organizations had been officially proscribed by the Israeli Defense Ministry for allegedly supporting terrorism. Following the ministry’s findings, a group representing bereaved families has called for a criminal investigation into the matter.

Israeli cybersecurity firm Island has secured $250 million in a Series E funding round with participation from U.S. financial institution J.P. Morgan, according to a report in The Jerusalem Post. This late-stage investment brings the West Asia-based company’s valuation to $5 billion.

Navi Pillay, Miloon Kothari, and Chris Sidoti, the three commissioners for the UN Human Rights Council’s ‘Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel,’ have resigned, Israel National News says in a report. The commission was established by the UNHRC in May 2021 with an open-ended mandate to investigate alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law by all parties involved in the conflict. The reasons for the resignations were not detailed in the report.

Israel has submitted a new, third map for consideration in ongoing ceasefire negotiations and has met with the head of the Egyptian Intelligence Service, as per a report in The Jerusalem Post. The submission of a new proposal follows previous attempts to broker a deal. The meeting with the Egyptian intelligence chief underscores Egypt’s continued central role as a key mediator in the indirect talks between Israeli and Hamas officials.

The Israeli government has requested a three-month extension from the High Court to present its proposed adjustments to the country’s kashrut certification laws, according to a report in The Jerusalem Post. The request for more time concerns legislation on kosher food supervision, a contentious issue for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing religious coalition. The proposed legislation is expected to address reforms initiated by the previous government, which had aimed to reduce the Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly on kashrut certification. The delay comes amid delicate coalition politics involving religious parties who seek to strengthen the Rabbinate’s authority over the matter.

In an interview, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani revealed that Iran is serious about securing a deal with the United States, as per a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. Sudani detailed Iraq’s ongoing, behind-the-scenes mediation efforts to bridge the gap between Tehran and Washington. He emphasised the importance of these talks for regional stability, warning of potential negative consequences if an agreement is not reached. The prime minister also insisted on Iraq’s sovereignty, stating that no foreign power controls the decisions made by his government in Baghdad.

A political feud has erupted between New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Comptroller Brad Lander regarding investments in Israeli bonds, the Times of Israel said in a report. Adams accused Lander of divesting from Israel, alleging the action is consistent with the policies of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. Lander has countered that his office’s decision was apolitical, emphasizing that the city continues to hold hundreds of millions of dollars in other Israeli assets.

The Syrian government has caused anger and concern after reclassifying Palestinian refugees, who historically held a special legal status, as ‘foreigners’ in official records, according to a report in Haaretz. Damascus has publicly blamed the change on a technical glitch, but the move has fueled fears among the Palestinian community in Syria about the potential loss of rights related to property, employment, and access to services. This development alters the long-standing legal framework that granted Palestinians in Syria a status distinct from other foreign nationals, affording them more rights than other non-citizens.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar will attend a meeting in Belgium with his Syrian counterpart, marking a rare high-level diplomatic contact between the two countries which technically remain in a state of war, according to a report in Haaretz. The meeting, mentioned in the context of the 647th day of the Israel-Hamas war, represents a significant departure from the long-standing absence of formal relations. Historically, Israel and Syria have no peace treaty, and their primary dispute involves the Golan Heights. The engagement in a neutral European location suggests a deliberate effort to establish communication amid heightened regional tensions.

During a solidarity visit on Monday to Taybeh, described as the only entirely Christian Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank, top church leaders condemned escalating settler violence, according to a report in AP. Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III and Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa specifically denounced a recent incident where settlers set fires near the community. The leaders asserted that Israeli authorities “facilitate and enable” the presence of the settlers responsible for the intensified attacks.

An armed individual was killed by Israeli military forces near the Maoz Tzvi settlement in Northern Samaria, located in the West Bank, Israel National News says in a report. The individual was reportedly armed with an improvised submachine gun, known as a ‘Carlo’ rifle, and a knife. The incident occurred when the gunman allegedly attempted to attack the military force, which resulted in his death with no reported casualties among the Israeli soldiers.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University and Sheba Medical Center in Israel have developed a bioengineered skin that can significantly accelerate the healing process for burn victims, according to a report in the Times of Israel. Scientists involved in the project state that the artificial skin can double the healing speed for skin grafting procedures and helps to reduce the risk of infections. The development is described as a “wartime innovation,” prompted by the urgent need to treat severe burn injuries resulting from the ongoing conflict in the region.

Iraqi nationals repatriated from Syria’s Kurdish-controlled al-Hol camp, which holds family members of suspected Islamic State group fighters, are confronting a harsh reality upon their return, Al-Monitor said in a report. After years in detention, returnees find they must navigate immense social and personal challenges. These include being compelled to publicly disown sons accused of jihadist ties to be accepted back into their communities, and discovering their homes and property are gone, leaving them with no resources or support.

A Palestinian Israeli soccer player claims he was threatened by the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, regarding his professional move to a soccer club in Qatar, Haaretz says in a report.

An internal BBC review concluded that the corporation breached its accuracy guidelines in the documentary “Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone” by not informing viewers of the narrator’s familial connection to a Hamas official, BBC said in a report. The finding, self-reported by the broadcaster, determined that this omission constituted a failure of transparency and due diligence. The breach was not related to the factual accuracy of the documentary’s content itself, but to the lack of crucial context about the narrator that could influence audience perception.

A man has been arrested in Jerusalem after he allegedly spat on a female soldier and threatened her, The Jerusalem Post said in a report. The incident reportedly involved the suspect chasing the soldier as she attempted to take refuge in a nearby business, at which point he allegedly threatened her by saying, “I will kill you tomorrow.”

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who served from 2006 to 2009, stated that Israelis are committing “war crimes” in the occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera says in a report. His comments come amid a period of escalating violence in the region and an ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into alleged crimes in the Palestinian territories. Olmert’s statement adds a significant voice from within the former Israeli establishment to the internal political debate regarding the long-term consequences of the occupation.

A United Nations summit focused on a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel, which was previously postponed due to tensions between Israel and Iran, has been rescheduled for July 28-29, according to a report in The Guardian. However, French President Emmanuel Macron is not expected to attend, which the report suggests makes it less likely that the event will lead to a series of high-profile announcements on the recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron’s anticipated absence comes despite his recent advocacy for a two-state solution, and the report notes that the lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel is complicating such diplomatic efforts.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted several Syrian tanks near the Golan Heights on Monday after the vehicles crossed into the demilitarized buffer zone separating the two countries, as per a report in Israel National News. The buffer zone, officially the Area of Separation, was established under the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and is monitored by the United Nations. An incursion by military hardware into this demilitarized area is considered a violation of the long-standing ceasefire agreement.

Iran has publicly released what it claims are new details of an alleged assassination attempt by Israel targeting the leaders of the country’s three main government branches, Asharq Al-Awsat said in a report. The alleged plot was aimed at the heads of the executive, legislative, and judiciary, which would represent an attempt to decapitate the Iranian state’s leadership. This disclosure of the high-stakes allegation occurs amid a period of significantly heightened regional tensions between the two nations.

Lebanon’s central bank has contracted a US risk management advisory firm to help strengthen its measures against illegal financial activities, according to a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. The agreement is aimed at enhancing the bank’s capacity to combat money laundering and corruption, a key demand from international bodies. This development occurs as Lebanon navigates a severe economic crisis and seeks a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has conditioned aid on significant governance and financial reforms. The move is also viewed as an effort by the central bank’s leadership to rebuild trust and address international pressure, particularly from the US, to improve financial transparency following past allegations of corruption and illicit practices within the institution.

The Saudi stock market experienced a decline in the first half of 2025 driven by a combination of four key factors, as per a report in Asharq Al-Awsat. These include continued volatility in global oil prices stemming from geopolitical tensions and uncertain demand, alongside challenges in the implementation of the Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, such as attracting foreign direct investment and managing mega-project timelines. Furthermore, a global environment of high interest rates has made developed markets more appealing to investors, potentially diverting capital from Saudi Arabia. Finally, persistent geopolitical instability and security concerns across West Asia have increased the perceived risk for investors in the Kingdom.

An anonymous video has surfaced claiming responsibility for an arson attack targeting cars at Lovitt Technologies in Melbourne, Australia, as per a report in The Times of Israel. A masked individual in the video asserted that an “anonymous cell” conducted the attack over the company’s alleged supply of parts for planes linked to Israel. The video also contained threats of further action against company workers and included denunciations of Israel, Australia, and the United States. The claim of responsibility for the incident has not been independently verified.

Amid severe fuel shortages in Gaza, residents are burning plastic to create makeshift fuel, a practice that poses significant health and environmental risks, according to a report in Al Jazeera. The scarcity of conventional fuels, a result of the long-standing blockade and the ongoing conflict, has forced people to resort to this desperate measure for cooking, heating, and electricity. The process releases highly toxic fumes and chemicals, including carcinogens like dioxins, leading to immediate respiratory problems and long-term risks of cancer and other severe illnesses. This activity also causes significant environmental contamination of the air, soil, and water in the territory.

An investigation by Israeli news outlets 972 Magazine and Local Call has found that the Israeli military is killing civilians in Gaza using commercial drones, as per a report in Al Jazeera. The probe concludes that the drones are being used to deter displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes. According to the findings, the alleged tactic is intended to “teach Palestinians ‘through blood’” not to attempt to go back to areas they were forced to leave during the ongoing conflict.

Israeli authorities have prevented medical equipment from entering the Gaza Strip, stating the action was taken due to the potential for Hamas to repurpose the items for military use, as per a report in Haaretz. The move is justified by Israel as a security measure to prevent the entry of so-called ‘dual-use’ items, which could have both civilian and military applications. This action is part of the ongoing blockade of the territory, which Israel states is necessary to restrict Hamas’s military capabilities.

The Emir of Kuwait has begun an official visit to France aimed at bolstering the strategic partnership between the two countries, Asharq Al-Awsat says in a report. This diplomatic engagement occurs as France seeks to increase its influence in West Asia and aligns with Kuwait’s long-standing foreign policy of balancing relationships with various global powers. The visit is expected to address areas of mutual interest, including economic cooperation, energy security, and regional stability.

Turkish authorities have issued an order for the detention of eight suspects in connection with an investigation into alleged stock market manipulation, Asharq Al-Awsat says in a report. This action is part of the government’s stated efforts to ensure financial stability and combat economic crime. The detentions are a preliminary step in the legal process, with the individuals being held for questioning pending a formal investigation into activities intended to artificially influence security prices.

A new database containing patents from the British Mandate for Palestine (1920-1948) has been made publicly accessible, according to a report in Haaretz. The collection provides a historical record of inventions submitted by residents of the region before the establishment of the State of Israel. Among the documented innovations are practical items such as a tent that could also function as a bag and a process for producing seedless juice, offering a glimpse into the technological developments and daily life solutions of the era.

An explosion has occurred at a housing complex near the city of Qom in Iran, resulting in injuries to several individuals, according to a report in Al Jazeera. The initial investigation points to a gas leak as the cause of the blast. However, the incident has raised suspicions of a possible drone attack, given the context of a series of similar unexplained explosions that have affected Iran in recent times.

An Israeli Knesset subcommittee is scheduled to hold a special meeting to discuss the practical implications of applying Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, the territory internationally recognized as the West Bank, according to a report in Israel National News. The meeting will feature representatives from key Israeli ministries who are expected to present the logistical, legal, and administrative steps required for such a move. This discussion marks a shift towards concrete planning on an issue that has been a long-standing goal for right-wing parties in the current Israeli government.

Israeli security forces have killed several individuals who were previously released as part of the 2011 ‘Shalit deal’ prisoner exchange, according to a report in Israel National News. A joint operation by the Shin Bet security agency and the Israel Defense Forces targeted the men, who Israeli authorities say were responsible for fatal attacks that occurred in Jerusalem and Dotan in the 1990s. The report states that security forces alleged the individuals had returned to militant activities following their release.

Haredi leaders in the Diaspora have issued a warning to their communities, urging parents to exercise caution before obtaining Israeli citizenship for their children, according to a report in Israel National News. The leaders advise families to consult with them before proceeding with immigration (Aliyah) or citizenship applications, citing the potential ‘risk’ that their children would become subject to the mandatory Israel Defense Forces (IDF) draft. This guidance is set against the backdrop of an intense, ongoing political and legal debate in Israel, where recent High Court rulings have challenged the long-standing exemptions from military service for Haredi men.