★ISRAEL

1. Jordanian Shooter Kills 2 Israelis At Allenby Border Crossing

A Jordanian attacker driving a humanitarian aid truck opened fire at Israel’s Allenby Crossing, killing two Israelis. Israeli forces killed the assailant on site. The attacker reportedly held an Israeli permit and was involved in aid delivery to Gaza. Security forces are investigating possible accomplices. The Allenby Crossing, a key transit point between Jordan and the West Bank, was temporarily closed as Israel tightened security following the attack, which marks the second deadly incident at this crossing in one year.

2. Israel Deploys Iron Beam Laser After Successful Defense Trials

Israel’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the Iron Beam laser system achieved operational status after intercepting rockets, mortars, aircraft, and UAVs in recent trials. The high-power laser, renamed “Ohr Eitan,” will integrate into Israel’s air defense by year-end, complementing Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow. Defense Minister Israel Katz called the system a historic breakthrough. Rafael chairman Yuval Steinitz said it is the first effective laser weapon, forecasting long-range capability within five years.

3. UK to Recognize Palestine After Trump’s State Visit

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will announce formal recognition of Palestine after U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit, The Times reports. Britain delayed the move to avoid overshadowing Trump’s Chequers press conference. Announcement is expected before the UN General Assembly next week, with France, Canada, and Australia also planning recognition. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned Israel’s Gaza City operation as “reckless,” underscoring London’s rationale.

4. US Spent $500 Million on Interceptors Defending Israel from Iran

New Pentagon documents reveal the US fired 100–150 THAAD missiles, costing $12.7 million each, to intercept Iranian ballistic attacks on Israel during a 12-day war. The US requested $498 million to replace spent interceptors and additional funds to replenish precision bombs and laser-guided missiles used in strikes on Iranian nuclear and air defense targets.

5. Israeli Intelligence Reports Hamas Rebuilding Tunnels, Preparing Prolonged Fight

Yedioth Ahronoth reports Israeli military intelligence briefed the Knesset that Gaza City will be fully encircled by October 6. The briefing said evacuation of residents, not full occupation, will be complete by that date; full control will begin thereafter. Intelligence estimates at least 7,500 militants in Gaza City—about 5,000 Hamas and 2,500 Islamic Jihad. Reports say Hamas is recruiting, rebuilding tunnel networks, preparing explosives, and studying prior battles for sustained urban warfare.

6. Emirati Study: Israel Faces $33 Billion Annual Loss from Arab Flight Ban

Emirati billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor revealed a study showing that a unified Arab ban on Israeli air traffic could cost Israel $28–33.5 billion annually, about 5% of its GDP. The study highlights disruptions to tourism, trade, and investments, stressing that coordinated economic measures could pressure Israel without violence, urging Arab states to consider airspace restrictions and investment reviews.

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★SYRIA

7. Syrian Foreign Minister To Meet US Lawmakers In Washington

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani will meet U.S. lawmakers in Washington this Thursday to discuss lifting sanctions, Senator Lindsey Graham told Axios. Shibani is also expected to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. The visit follows Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s statement that talks with Israel could yield results “in the coming days.” Israel’s Ron Dermer met Shibani Wednesday on a potential deal involving Israeli withdrawal from southern Syria, restrictions on Iran-linked activity, and U.S.-backed sanctions relief. Officials cautioned no breakthrough or Netanyahu–al-Sharaa meeting is expected next week.

8. US Removes Syria Diplomats As Pro-Damascus Strategy Advances

Several senior US diplomats overseeing Syria from Istanbul were abruptly dismissed this week, according to Reuters and allied officials. The move, linked to a shift supporting Kurdish integration into Syria’s new government, affects diplomats reporting to Special Envoy Thomas Barrack. US sources claim the reorganization will not change Syria strategy, though Western diplomats suggest an internal dispute over the Syrian Democratic Forces’ unification plan played a role.

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★IRAN

9. Iran Uses Global Criminal Networks to Conduct Terror and Assassinations

Intelligence reports reveal Iran systematically outsources terror operations to international criminal groups, including drug cartels, biker gangs, and local operatives, targeting Jewish communities, Israeli interests, and Iranian dissidents worldwide. The IRGC and Ministry of Intelligence exploit these proxies to maintain plausible deniability, with foiled plots from North America to Europe and Australia highlighting the scale of Tehran’s narco-terrorism strategy.

10. Iran Networks Spread Disinformation After Charlie Kirk Assassination

US officials and researchers report Iran-, Russia-, and China-linked outlets amplified false claims after Charlie Kirk’s Sept. 10 killing. Monitoring firm NewsGuard counted over 6,000 mentions framing conspiracies, including Iran-linked outlets alleging Israeli involvement. Utah Governor Spencer Cox cited “tremendous” bot-driven disinformation urging violence. Analysts note Kremlin actors tied the case to Ukraine, Beijing stressed US gun violence, while Tehran amplified anti-Israel narratives. 

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★THE GULF

11. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Sign Historic Mutual Defence Pact

Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan signed a mutual defence agreement strengthening decades-long security ties, stipulating that aggression against one is aggression against both. The pact follows Israel’s Sept. 9 strike on Qatar and reflects Gulf states’ concerns over US reliability. It formalizes military cooperation while balancing Pakistan’s relations with India and regional stability.

12. Saudi-US Forces Hold Region’s Largest Counter-Drone Drill

US Central Command said American and Saudi forces conducted the Middle East’s largest live-fire exercise against unmanned aerial systems under “Red Sands” in northeast Saudi Arabia. The multi-day drill, involving 300 personnel and 20 counter-drone systems, tested advanced radars, electronic warfare tools, and joint air sorties, boosting interoperability against evolving drone threats.

13. Qatar Pursues Legal Action at ICC Over Israeli Attack

Qatari Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi met ICC officials in The Hague to discuss Israel’s Sept. 9 strike on Doha, calling it a grave violation of sovereignty and international law. Qatar vowed to pursue all legal avenues, with its cabinet forming a special team to ensure accountability under international criminal justice.

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★LEBANON

14. IDF Eliminates Senior Hezbollah Weapons Dealer In Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces said Thursday it killed Hezbollah weapons dealer Hussein Saifo Sharif in Baalbek, northeast of Beirut. The IDF stated Sharif directed operatives in Syria to plan attacks on Israel, violating the November 27, 2024 ceasefire. Israeli forces also struck Hezbollah positions in Nabatieh and Yater this week, killing additional militants. On Sunday, Hezbollah weapons developer Muhammad Ali Yassin was eliminated in Southern Lebanon. Israeli officials said control of five southern positions will remain until the Lebanese army demonstrates it can secure the area.

15. Lebanese Army Seizes 64 Million Captagon Pills in East

The Lebanese Army announced the seizure of approximately 64 million Captagon pills in the eastern Bekaa region, along with 79 barrels of chemicals and production equipment, marking one of the largest drug busts in the country. Authorities continue pursuing those involved as Lebanon intensifies efforts against drug manufacturing and trafficking near the Syrian border.

16. Lebanon Bonds Quadruple As Restructuring Hopes Clash With Risks

Reuters reports Lebanon’s defaulted bonds rose from 6 to 24 cents in a year as investors bet on recovery following a new government and banking reform law. Analysts warn uncertainty over the “financial gap” and pending legislation could stall gains. IMF staff visit Beirut this month to advance bailout talks, though recovery value estimates vary widely from 20–40 cents. Lebanon defaulted on $31 billion bonds in 2020; central bank negative equity remains near $48 billion. High global interest rates and delayed reforms complicate debt restructuring prospects.

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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.