★ ISRAEL

1. Seven Killed In Jerusalem Terror Shooting, Israel Threatens Gaza

Two terrorists opened fire at a crowded bus stop in Jerusalem’s Ramot Junction, killing at least seven civilians and wounding at least fifteen before being neutralized by security personnel and an armed civilian, on Monday morning, Israel time. Attackers used improvised submachine guns, triggering scenes of mass panic as buses and vehicles were hit by heavy gunfire. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed a “powerful hurricane” would strike Gaza in retaliation, signaling imminent escalation. 

2.  Sirens Sound Near Dimona as IDF Intercepts Multiple Houthi UAVs  

Just hours after the Jerusalem attack this Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted multiple Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) launched from Yemen. Initial detection did not trigger sirens, but alerts were subsequently activated in the Arava and Dimona areas following protocols. No casualties or damage were reported. 

3. Houthi Drone Strike Hits Ramon Airport, Injures Civilians

On Sunday, September 7, 2025, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis conducted multiple drone attacks targeting Israel’s Ramon International Airport near Eilat. One drone penetrated Israeli air defenses, striking the arrivals hall, injuring two civilians with minor shrapnel wounds, causing window damage, and temporarily halting flights for two hours. Israeli forces intercepted three additional drones before they reached Israeli airspace. Since late August 2025 strikes that killed top Houthi officials, including their prime minister, Houthis launched about 10–15 missile and drone attacks on Israel, hitting civilian airports like Ben Gurion and Ramon, populated Tel Aviv areas, and strategic sites.

4. Settlers Armed Through Regional Defense Attack Palestinians Near Hebron

Israeli settlers assaulted a Palestinian family in Wadi al-Saba near Hebron after demanding they vacate privately owned land, with regional defense soldiers reportedly present. Many settlers have been recruited into these battalions since the war began, giving them military weapons and authority often used against Palestinians outside formal missions. The clash followed a separate incident where settlers fired on residents between Sa’ir and al-Shuyuh and set fires, underscoring rising settler-driven violence destabilizing the West Bank.

5. Trump Promises Gaza Deal Soon; Hamas Ready to Negotiate

President Donald Trump said a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal “may be reached very soon,” with hopes to secure the return of all hostages, living or deceased. His new proposal calls for the release of all 48 hostages on day one in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel. The deal envisions ending the war with direct negotiations overseen by Trump, pausing fighting during talks. Hamas stated it is “ready to immediately sit at the negotiating table” while emphasizing conditions including Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a binding ceasefire. 

6. Bennett, Eisenkot Meet; Plan United Centrist Party

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met with ex-IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot to discuss forming a united centrist party aimed at replacing the current government ahead of 2026 elections. Bennett criticized current ministers as “stupid” and plans to ally with opposition figures including Avigdor Liberman. Recent polls show a united centrist bloc with Bennett and Eisenkot could surpass Netanyahu’s Likud, improving opposition prospects significantly. 

7. Israel Land Authority Chief Slams Smotrich Over Housing Failures

Israel Land Authority CEO Yankee Quint attacked Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich at the Capital Market Conference, saying he ignores the housing market and focuses only on sectoral issues. Quint accused Smotrich of failing to deliver promised 50% land discounts for reservists, blocking rental and public housing initiatives, and delaying subsidies for new apartments in the periphery. He contrasted Smotrich’s inaction with prior finance ministers, stressing urgent government decisions are needed but absent.

8. Spain Bans Israeli Arms Ships, Flights; Imposes Settlement Goods Embargo

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a ban on Israeli-bound weapons ships and flights, an embargo on goods from Israeli settlements, increased aid to Palestinians, and barred entry to those involved in Gaza war crimes, calling the conflict genocide. 

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★ IRAN

9. Parliament Advances $46 Billion Military Budget Despite Economic Collapse

Despite UN snapback sanctions worsening Iran’s economic collapse and rial trading above one million to the dollar, Iran’s parliament approved a $46 billion military funding bill. The budget draws on oil revenues, frozen assets, air transit fees, and public expenditure savings to boost defense and soldier welfare. This follows a 200% military budget increase last year. Iran also plans four satellite launches by March 2026 amid missile concerns.

10. Iran-China Relations Deepen: Strategic Partnership Expands

Ayatollah Khamenei demanded faster Iran-China cooperation and called for oil sector reform amid sanctions. China hailed Pezeshkian’s historic visit and key deals advancing the 25-year partnership. Concurrently, Iran joined BRICS naval drills in South African waters with China and others to boost maritime security and strategic ties. 

11. Iran Stands with Venezuela During Rising U.S. Military Presence and Sanctions

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reaffirmed strong ties with Venezuela in a call with FM Yvan Gil Pinto, condemning U.S. naval deployments near Venezuela and recent sanctions. Both officials emphasized defending sovereignty and urged BRICS and regional states to oppose Washington’s measures. 

12. Iran, Iraq Leaders Stress Growing Parliamentary Cooperation, Regional Stability

In Tehran, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Iraqi National Wisdom Movement leader Ammar al-Hakim emphasized expanding parliamentary cooperation to deepen Iran-Iraq ties and boost regional stability. They highlighted their parliaments’ key roles in advancing strategic integration and confronting regional threats, particularly Israeli actions, to prevent escalating violence. 

13. Pezeshkian Opens 39th Islamic Unity Conference, Labels U.S., Israel Threat

At Tehran’s 39th Islamic Unity Conference, President Masoud Pezeshkian urged Muslim leaders to end sectarian divisions, blaming disunity for enabling U.S. and Israeli aggression. He accused Israel of killing women and children without accountability and stated that Iranian unity, not military strength alone, thwarts enemy plans. Pezeshkian reinforced Iran’s narrative framing the U.S. and Israel as existential threats to the Islamic world.

14. Vanished in Cairo: The Disappearance of Amir al-Mousawi

Amir al-Mousawi, ex-Iranian diplomat and head of the Asbar Center for Strategic Studies, has reportedly vanished after arriving at an Egyptian airport on an official invitation. His account manager, the only source of information, says he disappeared without a trace, while Egyptian authorities remain silent. Known for his outspoken praise of Hezbollah, Amal, and other pro-Iranian groups, al-Mousawi has a history of diplomatic expulsions and media bans. 

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★ IRAQ

15. Iraq’s Rivers Drying, Water Crisis Threatens 20 Million Lives

Iraq faces its worst water crisis since 1933 as the Tigris and Euphrates rivers near collapse. A steep decline—down to 27% of last year’s inflows—is driven by climate change, upstream damming by Turkey and Iran, drought, and internal mismanagement. Southern Iraq’s agricultural lands are drying up, forcing mass migration and threatening food security, livelihoods, and national stability. Reservoirs hold only 8% of capacity; water pollution and salinity damage ecosystems and health. Iraqi officials call for urgent upstream water release and reforms, warning a humanitarian disaster looms without coordinated action. The crisis endangers 20 million Iraqis, undermining economic, social, and environmental resilience.

16. Shia Groups Move to Enforce Hashd Law by Executive Decrees

Shia factions in Iraq’s Coordination Framework plan to enforce the Hashd al-Shaabi law through government decrees, bypassing parliament despite US opposition. They aim to activate the 2016 law recognizing the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), using a diwani order from ex-PM Abdul-Mahdi as legal basis. Formal legislative efforts are paused amid diplomatic pressure, but Shia groups remain committed to this alternative path.

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★ The GULF

17. OPEC+ Plans to Reverse 1.65 Million Barrels Daily Cuts in October

OPEC+ announced it will start gradually reversing 1.65 million barrels per day of oil production cuts beginning October 2025. The decision is expected to boost Saudi Arabia’s market share and strengthen its political capital after efforts to balance global oil supplies. Riyadh aims to reinforce its influence within OPEC+ and improve relations with the United States by stabilizing prices and addressing supply concerns. 

18. Internet Disruptions Hit Gulf as SpaceX Starlink Passes 2,000 Satellites

Multiple undersea internet cables near Jeddah in the Red Sea were recently severed, disrupting connectivity across Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait. Telecom networks reported slowdowns amid speculations of sabotage linked to regional tensions. Concurrently, SpaceX achieved a major milestone by deploying its 2,000th Starlink broadband satellite of 2025, vastly expanding satellite internet coverage in the Gulf and globally. 

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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.