★ISRAEL

★BREAKING:  Houthis Launch Drone Strike On Israel’s Eilat City, Causing 15 Injuries

All major networks in the region are reporting live, a Houthi-launched explosive drone from Yemen struck southern Israel’s city of Eilat, wounding at least 15 people and causing property damage. The drone hit a hotel entrance area, igniting a small fire but resulting in no fatalities. Israeli defenses intercepted additional drones and missiles launched in the region, while the Houthis claim these attacks show solidarity with Palestinians amid escalating Israel-Houthi conflict. 

1. Trump Proposes Gaza Withdrawal Linked To Arab-Muslim Peacekeepers Deployment

President Trump unveiled a Gaza withdrawal plan at the UNGA, seeking Israeli military pullback coupled with deployment of Arab-Muslim peacekeeping troops excluding Hamas. Turkiye and Qatar conditionally offered forces, requiring an Israeli ceasefire and PA governance role. Trump briefed Arab-Muslim leaders before formal Israeli talks, raising coordination questions. Israeli officials reject full Palestinian Authority control and Hamas exclusion, remaining skeptical of the plan’s feasibility.

2. Starmer Sets Four Compliance Conditions For Full Palestinian Recognition

UK Prime Minister Starmer requires Palestinian statehood recognition contingent on four conditions: durable Gaza ceasefire, substantial UN humanitarian access, Israel halting West Bank annexation plans, and both parties committing to restart two-state negotiations. Recognition will be withheld unless conditions are fulfilled. Starmer stressed Hamas must play no governance or security role and face further UK sanctions. Opposition accused premature recognition rewards terrorism and damages UK national interests.

3. Spain Imposes Comprehensive Arms Export Ban on Israel

The Spanish government issued a royal decree banning all arms exports, defense equipment, and dual-use technologies to Israel, citing “genocide in Gaza” and support for Palestinians. The sanctions also prohibit imports from illegal settlements and related advertising. Officials framed the measures as a demonstration of Spain’s commitment to human rights and political pressure on Israel.

4. Israeli Soldier Seriously Wounded in Northern Gaza Fighting

The Israeli army reported that a soldier was seriously injured during clashes in northern Gaza and was hospitalized for treatment. The military has been reinforcing all combat fronts—air, land, and sea—amid ongoing operations, according to spokesperson Avichai Adraee. Tensions continue as fighting escalates along Gaza’s northern sectors.

===========

★SYRIA

5. Netanyahu and Al-Sharaa Expected to Meet in Washington

Israeli and Syrian officials are preparing for a potential historic meeting in Washington, likely under U.S. President Trump’s patronage. The leaders aim to finalize a security agreement covering border security, counterterrorism, and Golan Heights escalation prevention. While details remain sensitive, the accord could reshape regional dynamics and mark the first formal Israel-Syria deal in decades.

6. Syria Rejects US Conditions for Lifting Caesar Sanctions

Syria has rejected US amendments requiring security, human rights, and Israel-related conditions for lifting the Caesar Act sanctions. Damascus demands full revocation without preconditions, calling binding requirements “unacceptable” and coercive. Experts warn the amendments could delay economic recovery, hinder investment, and prolong Syrian suffering, while Damascus seeks relief following the Assad regime’s fall and ongoing post-war reconstruction.

7. Wildfires Rage Across Latakia And Homs With Unverified Targeting Claims

Since September 22, 2025, wildfires have spread across Latakia and Homs provinces. Villages threatened include al-Rihaniyah, al-Sakriyah, Habnamrah, and Wadi al-Nasara. Christian advocacy groups claim deliberate targeting of minority communities through social media statements. No verified evidence supports arson or sectarian intent behind the current outbreak. The Syrian government faces criticism over slow emergency response during the political transition period.

===========

★IRAN

8. Iran Announces Nuclear Rebuild While Retaining Post-Strikes Capabilities

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization announced plans to rebuild nuclear facilities damaged in June attacks by Israel and the U.S., stressing uranium enrichment is for precision tools, not weapons; IAEA Director Rafael Grossi confirmed Iran retains centrifuges and enrichment capacity despite Fordow destruction, inspections resuming with limited access to 60% enriched uranium, while Supreme Leader Khamenei warned negotiations are futile and vowed resistance, keeping regional and international tensions high.

9. Iran Receives Russian Jets And Awaits More Advanced Systems

Iranian lawmaker Abolfazl Zohrevand said Russian MiG-29 fighter jets have arrived in Shiraz as an interim measure while Iran awaits delivery of Sukhoi Su-35s, adding that China’s HQ-9 and Russia’s S-400 systems are also being supplied in significant numbers, though Moscow and Beijing have not confirmed, following Israeli strikes that destroyed Iran’s last Russian-provided S-300 systems earlier this year. 

10. Watchdog: Iran Executes Over 1,000 People in 2025

Iran has executed at least 1,000 people in 2025, including 64 in the past week, according to Iran Human Rights. The NGO called it a “mass killing campaign” and crimes against humanity. Executions, mostly by hanging, are rising despite international criticism. IHR warns the real number may be higher due to reporting restrictions.

===========

★LEBANON

11. Hezbollah Maintains Financial Network Despite Lebanon’s $14 Billion War Losses

Lebanese officials report more than 5,000 dead, 300,000 displaced, and $14 billion in destruction since Hezbollah joined the Gaza war against Israel, while U.S. envoy Tom Barak states Hezbollah still receives $60 million monthly; despite sanctions and banking restrictions, Hezbollah continues paying fighters $500–$700 and has spent $1 billion compensating 50,000 families since the November 2024 ceasefire.

===========

★YEMEN

12. Houthis Deepen Ties with Al-Qaeda and ISIS

A PTOC Yemen Center report states Houthis repurpose al-Qaeda and ISIS detainees through prison recruitment, secret training camps, and frontline deployment, citing leaders Abdul Hakim Al-Khaiwani, Abdul Qader Al-Shami, Abdul Karim Al-Houthi, and Abdullah Yahya Al-Muayyad as responsible for “terrorist recycling,” with released militants involved in assassinations and district collapses in Ma’rib, Al Jawf, and Al Bayda

===========

★TURKIYE

13. New Corruption Allegations Hit Ankara Municipality, $3.7M Loss

Turkish authorities arrested 13, including former Ankara municipality officials and event organizers, over corruption in 32 concerts from 2021 to 2024, causing $3.7 million in losses. The investigation targets opposition CHP-run municipalities amid broader probes against party leaders, including jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. CHP recently re-elected Özgür Özal amid ongoing legal disputes.

===========

★AFRICA

14. Egypt and Türkiye Launch First Joint Naval Exercise

Egypt and Türkiye began their first joint naval drills in 13 years, “Friendship of the Sea 2025,” in the Eastern Mediterranean. The exercises aim to strengthen military cooperation amid regional tensions, particularly Israel’s actions in Gaza. Relations thawed since 2022, with renewed embassies, defense collaborations, and agreements on drones and fighter jet production.

15. India, Morocco Launch Armored Vehicle Plant for Africa Exports

India and Morocco inaugurated an armored vehicle plant in Berrechid to produce WhAP 8×8 vehicles for the Moroccan army and for export to Africa. Backed by India’s defense ministry and Tata, the project will create 340 jobs, produce up to 100 vehicles annually, and gradually increase local sourcing to strengthen Morocco’s military self-sufficiency.

===========

★IRAQ

16. Basra Activists Seek Federal Status Similar To Kurdistan

Supporters of federalism in Basra province submitted a formal request to Iraq’s Election Commission to begin collecting signatures from at least 2% of registered voters as a first step toward a local referendum on forming a Basra federal region, modeled on the Kurdistan Region; proponents cite legal provisions allowing provinces to seek autonomy, while opponents warn the move risks dividing Iraq and exacerbating tribal disputes, and the current government offers only conditional support.

==========

★ 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.