Key development: Hamas agreed to disarm in Gaza under a Trump-backed deal, but Israel hasn’t officially responded yet.
Diplomacy
Hamas says it’ll disarm in Gaza as part of Trump’s 20-point peace plan. Israel hasn’t publicly signed off yet, which is kind of the whole ballgame. (Al Jazeera, France 24)
Context: Trump announced the deal on July 31, which includes Hamas gradually giving up weapons in exchange for Israel slowly pulling troops out of Gaza. Hamas confirmed to AFP they’ve agreed to it. Trump’s calling it a path to a new Palestinian government in Gaza, but without Israel’s formal yes, it’s just words on paper.
Sources: Al Jazeera | France 24 | France 24
Military Operations
(Update) Baghdad says it never approved those US-Saudi strikes that killed 20 Iraqi militia members. Awkward position for Iraq, caught between its US relationship and Iran-backed militias on its soil. (France 24)
Context: The strikes happened Wednesday and hit Iran-backed Hashed al Shaabi fighters. Iraq’s government spokesperson made it official Thursday: they didn’t approve or even know about it beforehand. The casualty count is now confirmed at 20 killed.
Sources: France 24
(Update) US hasn’t hit Iran in days, possibly because it’s running low on air defense missiles. US media reporting Patriot interceptors and other munitions are getting scarce after two weeks of nightly strikes. (France 24) [UNCONFIRMED]
Context: After nearly two weeks of bombing Iran every night, the US suddenly paused. American outlets are now saying it’s about dwindling stockpiles of Patriots and other defensive missiles, not a strategic choice. If true, that’s a logistics problem becoming a strategic constraint.
Sources: France 24
Regional Actors
(Update) Saudi Arabia just launched a 14-country naval coalition to protect Red Sea shipping. The Houthis immediately threatened “full escalation” in response. (Euronews)
Context: Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi warned Saudi Arabia hours before Riyadh made it official. The coalition includes Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt among 14 countries that signed a founding statement. This formalizes what’s been an ad-hoc effort to keep shipping lanes open against Houthi attacks.
Sources: Euronews
International
British-Azerbaijani guy arrested in Cyprus for allegedly spying on UK military bases for Iran. First British espionage investigation abroad under the new National Security Act. (Euronews)
Context: The 44-year-old is being held in Cyprus while the UK tries to extradite him. This is the first time Britain has used its National Security Act to investigate suspected spying outside the country, so it’s a test case for how those new powers work internationally.
Sources: Euronews
What to watch: Whether Israel actually confirms the Hamas disarmament deal or if this becomes another announcement that goes nowhere.