★ SYRIA
Bedouin Tribes Overwhelm Druze Forces, Israel Requests Syrian Intervention
Despite four Israeli airstrikes on Suwayda targets early Friday, Bedouin tribes advanced into the province after government forces withdrew from the province per the U.S.-mediated agreement. Fighting reignited as armed reinforcements from northern provinces reached Suwayda, while the Syrian army blocked roads to prevent further escalation. Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri called on Damascus to send conflict-resolution forces to contain the escalating violence. His appeal came after tribal forces entered the city and seized large western countryside following clashes with Druze armed groups. Subsequently, Israel announced it will allow Syrian internal security forces entry into Sweida province for 48 hours due to ongoing southern Syria, an Israeli official told reporters. Israel has not intervened in the southern fighting, with no indication of assistance to Druze allies. Damascus rejected reports of regime forces returning to Sweida, claiming ceasefire compliance.
UN Envoy: Syria Cannot Impose Loyalty Through Military Force
UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen condemned Israeli strikes on Syrian territory and called for immediate cessation of military interventions. Pedersen said loyalty to the state cannot be imposed by military force and criticized strict sovereignty enforcement without recognizing Syria’s transitional period. He called for comprehensive dialogue between Damascus authorities and local actors in Sweida regarding long-term security arrangements. The envoy dismissed calls for international protection as unrealistic, stating such intervention requires Security Council approval. Pedersen emphasized that legitimacy ultimately comes from the Syrian people, not external parties, requiring credible political processes.
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★ ISRAEL
Mediators Revise Ceasefire Deal, Propose New Prisoner Ratio
Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. submitted a revised Gaza ceasefire proposal to Israel and Hamas. The updated draft redefines the extent of Israeli military withdrawal during the truce and introduces a new ratio of Palestinian prisoners per Israeli hostage.
Trump Forces Netanyahu to Apologize for Gaza Church Strike Casualties
Trump phoned Netanyahu Thursday, demanding accountability after IDF tank shell fragments struck Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Church, killing three civilians, including two women, and injuring others. Hours later, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement of regret and thanked Pope Leo XIV for his response. The IDF confirmed a preliminary inquiry found the shell mistakenly hit the church during operations in Gaza City, reiterating its policy of targeting only military objectives and avoiding religious sites. Parish Priest Fr. Gabriel Romanelli was wounded. The Vatican urged an immediate ceasefire and renewed dialogue. Netanyahu called Pope Leo XIV on Friday. Israel expressed regret and vowed to protect civilians and holy sites. The Vatican urged renewed ceasefire talks and emphasized safeguarding religious sanctuaries. Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pizzaballa and Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III visited Gaza on Friday to comfort Christians.
Mossad Assets Remain Active Inside Iran
Mysterious explosions across Iran suggest Israeli intelligence assets remain active despite the June ceasefire. A July 14 blast near Qom injured civilians, with similar incidents near Tehran and Karaj. An Israeli expert confirms Mossad likely maintains ground capabilities, noting precision strikes resemble operational signatures. Iran expelled thousands of Afghan workers with access, potentially creating internal sabotage networks. Meanwhile, Israel’s Nachshon 122 Squadron continues providing aerial intelligence support for potential operations, conducting reconnaissance missions across the region with specialized aircraft that led IAF attacks throughout Iran during Operation “Am Kalavi.”
Israeli Brigade Disbands Platoon After Soldier Suicide Attempts
The Kfir Brigade commander disbanded the “Hachod” platoon following command failures after a soldier attempted suicide twice when ordered into Gaza for the third time. The platoon commander ignored the distressed soldier’s mental health crisis and denied leave after suicide threats. The soldier placed a rifle barrel in his mouth before a sergeant intervened. After continued command neglect, soldiers abandoned their Gaza operation to report directly to battalion leadership. This marks the second platoon dissolution in recent weeks, with most soldiers reassigned to non-combat roles.
Sara Netanyahu Sneaks Into Knesset at Midnight
Maariv reported that Sara Netanyahu entered the Knesset near midnight Monday to prevent coalition legislative failures. Her covert entry coincided with threats to fire Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein. Associates said Netanyahu appeared short-tempered and tired, occasionally falling asleep during proceedings. The couple later slipped out undetected through a side exit. The midnight maneuver reflects the coalition’s precarious minority status and demonstrates Sara’s direct intervention in parliamentary affairs as political pressure mounts on the Netanyahu family.
Senator Ted Cruz Discusses Syria Policy with Israeli Defense Minister
Texas Senator Ted Cruz met with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday in Washington to discuss Syrian developments. Katz told Cruz that southern Syria must be demilitarized, and Israel will not allow harm to the Druze population. The defense minister warned that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa could deploy jihadist groups against Israeli Golan Heights villages. Cruz received details of Israeli strikes on government targets in Sweida and Damascus that forced Syrian withdrawal. The meeting occurred as Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern and urged de-escalation, while Trump administration officials asked Israel to stand down.
Haaretz Editorial: Protecting Syrian Druze Cannot Replace Gaza Hostage Recovery
Israeli editorial criticizes opening new Syrian military front to protect Druze communities without clear strategic policy. Haaretz argues recent Israeli actions, including strikes on Sunni militias and Syrian regime forces in Sweida, plus attacks on Damascus General Staff building and presidential palace, lack orderly policy framework. The editorial suggests Israeli military resources devoted to Syrian Druze protection should not substitute for the primary mission of freeing Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Israeli Media: Syria Policy Pushes Al-Sharaa Toward Confrontation
Israel Hayom reported Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa took positive steps toward Israel over eight months, including canceling Palestinian refugee status, stopping Iranian smuggling, and relinquishing Golan Heights claims. Israel responded by bombing Damascus presidential palace and General Staff building while promising to protect Syrian Druze. Al-Sharaa now threatens war with Israel for the first time after Israeli strikes on Syrian forces attempting to halt Bedouin-Druze clashes. Israeli policy shifted from calling al-Sharaa a “terrorist in a suit” to potential peace partner, then back to terrorist, undermining Israeli security interests.
Israeli Religious Group Views Iran War as Messianic Sign
Influential Israeli religious circles interpret the recent war with Iran as a messianic event rather than a military-political conflict. The group believes the June conflict signals the coming of the Messiah, representing a significant theological interpretation of current regional warfare. This perspective emerged immediately after hostilities with Iran began, demonstrating how religious ideology shapes certain Israeli responses to military events.
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★ LEBANON
US Explores New Approach to Disarm Hezbollah in Lebanon
US Ambassador Thomas Barrack introduced two dramatic shifts to break the Hezbollah disarmament deadlock in Lebanon. Barrack suggested distinguishing between Hezbollah’s political and military wings, potentially enabling direct US-Hezbollah negotiations similar to Hamas engagement. He also proposed selective disarmament, focusing only on weapons threatening Israel while allowing Hezbollah to retain other arms. The approach replaces former envoy Morgan Ortagus’s confrontational demands for detailed disarmament timetables. The Lebanese government claims inability to compel Hezbollah disarmament without risking civil war. Hezbollah demands Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon positions before discussing weapons surrender, while Israel insists on the opposite sequence.
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★ IRAQ
Quds Force Chief Warns Iraq of Imminent Israeli Strikes During Baghdad Visit
Iran’s Quds Force leader Esmail Qaani warned Iraqi officials during a Baghdad visit that Israeli strikes on over 300 Iran-linked targets are imminent. He urged tighter security against suspected Israeli infiltration and warned of Syrian conflict spillover. Qaani met senior leaders, including President Rashid, stressing Tehran’s fears of chaos spreading across Iraq.
U.S. Allows Return of Diplomats to Iraq as Risk of Conflict Recedes
The United States has authorized its diplomats to return to the embassy in Baghdad and the consulate in Erbil, nearly a month after a precautionary departure following Iranian strikes. The decision signals a de-escalation in regional tensions and a diminished likelihood of broader conflict. The State Department continues advising U.S. citizens against Iraq.
Iraq Expands Combined-Cycle Power Plants To Save $3 Billion
Iraq will expand combined-cycle power projects to save $3 billion annually, Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadel said. The government launched a 375-megawatt project at Qayyarah and aims to produce 4,000 megawatts without fuel or gas consumption. Additional projects in Ninawa, North, and Dibis will double output and ease budget pressure by cutting fuel costs.
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★ IRAN
Iran Resumes Major Arms Shipments to Allies
Iran resumed large-scale arms transfers to proxies, including record missile shipments to Houthis seized by coalition forces in Yemen. Additional weapons bound for Hezbollah, intercepted in Syria and Lebanon, included Grad and anti-tank missiles. U.S. officials say that Tehran is quickly replenishing allied stockpiles to sustain operations against Israel and maritime targets. Iran’s foreign ministry denied these reports, calling the reports a deceitful attempt to distract global attention from the root cause of regional insecurity — the Zionist regime’s aggression and America’s destructive interference.”
Iran–Russia Partnership Pact Enters Force Without Mutual Defense Clause
Iran and Russia’s 20-year strategic partnership agreement, signed in January 2025, officially entered into force today after both countries completed internal ratification procedures. The pact emphasizes cooperation in defense and security but excludes mutual defense obligations, unlike Russia’s deal with North Korea. Its activation coincides with recent Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Iranian President Injured During Israeli Attack, U.S. Sources Confirm
U.S. intelligence sources confirmed that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was injured in last month’s Israeli strike. Despite official reports showing his presence at a national security council meeting during the attack, he was wounded in the leg while escaping through an emergency exit. Whether he was a direct target remains unclear.
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★ TÜRKIYE
Türkiye Arrests 23 in FETÖ Financial Crackdown, Seizes Major Assets
Turkish authorities arrested 23 suspects linked to FETÖ’s financial network, including retail tycoon Zeki Doruk, following coordinated raids across nine provinces. Doruk’s will bequeathing his assets to FETÖ was found alongside valuables and a talisman. Trustees now control 22 companies involved in funding the group. Separately, 270 additional suspects were arrested in Izmir-based operations.
Türkiye Rises to Global Top Four in Energy Fleet Ranking
Türkiye added two next-generation deep-sea drilling ships, raising its fleet to six vessels and joining the world’s top four energy fleets. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar emphasized expanded exploration and production in the Black Sea. President Erdoğan confirmed the move, citing progress in the Sakarya Gas Field and 170,000 barrels of daily oil output as key national energy milestones.
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★ GULF COUNTRIES
Saudi Arabia Offers Platform For U.S.-Russia Talks, Reinforcing Global Role
Saudi Arabia offered to host the U.S.-Russia talks. Industry Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef confirmed Riyadh’s readiness, echoing February hosting efforts. Russian leaders, including Lavrov and Putin, praised the Kingdom’s mediation, as analysts see this bolstering Saudi standing as a neutral power and future hub for global negotiations.
Saudi-EU Trade Surpasses $19 Billion in Q1 2025 Amid Partnership Talks
Saudi-EU trade reached $19.19 billion in Q1 2025, after totaling $83.97 billion in 2024 and over $350 billion since 2020, showing 14.7% growth. Strategic partnership talks began after a Riyadh meeting between Saudi and EU officials. The deal includes annual political dialogues and expanded cooperation in energy, tech, infrastructure, and culture.
Bahrain Signs $4.6 Billion Deal for 18 Boeing Jets
Bahrain signed a $4.6 billion agreement with Boeing to purchase 18 787 Dreamliner aircraft during Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s U.S. visit. Gulf Air said the deal supports its long-term fleet modernization and network expansion. The jets will use GE Aerospace engines, increasing capacity by 20% and enhancing operational sustainability and passenger experience.
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★ Disclaimer: The Early Phoenix is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.
