★ISRAEL

1. Israel, Hamas Swap Bodies as Tensions Strain Gaza Deal

The Gaza ceasefire remains fragile yet intact. Hamas has handed over the bodies of two additional Israeli hostages—Tamir Adar and Aryeh Zalmanowicz—through the International Committee of the Red Cross, bringing the total repatriated to 15 under the current ceasefire deal. Israel simultaneously transferred the bodies of 15 deceased Palestinians as stipulated in the arrangement. Hamas officials, however, accused Israel of violating the ceasefire by keeping the Rafah crossing closed and limiting humanitarian access, a stance echoed by Al Jazeera and UN observers.

1. Cairo-Washington Rift Freezes Gaza Force Decision

A widening policy clash between Washington and Cairo has stalled President Trump’s Gaza stabilization efforts, complicating ceasefire enforcement and regional security coordination. Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel rejected  Vance’s accelerated timeline for phase two of Trump’s 20‑point Gaza plan, citing the need for Arab-led supervision in Rafah before Israeli withdrawal proceeds. Additionally, Prime Minister Netanyahu privately opposed the presence of Turkish troops in any future international monitoring force, challenging aspects of President Trump’s Gaza peace plan.  Egypt is pressing for a UN‑authorized force under Cairo’s command, involving troops from Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Indonesia, while the White House insists on immediate demilitarization benchmarks before deployment. Israel has blocked any foreign troop entry pending Hamas’s full hostage release, accusing Egypt of slowrolling verification. 

2. Hamas Loses Fighters but Retains Strength in Gaza

Hamas still has 10,000–20,000 fighters despite losing 20,000. The IDF claims to have destroyed most rockets and production sites, yet 70–80% of tunnels remain. Experts warn Hamas can quickly recruit new fighters, while the group reportedly plans a post-conflict technocratic government to maintain control over Gaza.

3. UK Deploys Troops to Israel for Gaza Ceasefire Monitoring

The UK has sent troops, led by a senior officer, to Israel to assist the U.S.-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre monitoring the Gaza ceasefire. British forces will focus on planning and coordination, supporting regional stability and post-war governance, while other countries, including Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, also contribute to the multinational effort.

4. Israel Showcases Defense Technology at Seoul Exhibition Despite Protests

Israel is participating in South Korea’s ADEX 2025 defense exhibition after bans from similar events in Europe, led by SIBAT with five major companies including IAI, Rafael, and Elbit. The delegation aims to boost defense ties with Asia-Pacific nations. Local activists protested, urging Seoul to ban Israel over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

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★IRAN

5. Khamenei Mocks Trump as Iran Faces Economic Collapse

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei mocked President Trump over nationwide “No King” protests across America, challenging him to quell dissent “if he’s capable” while rejecting Washington’s overtures for renewed talks on Tehran’s nuclear program. In the same 24-hour period, Iranian media showcased the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ upgraded ballistic missile stockpile, including Qadr and Fattah-1 systems, signaling a hardened stance after fully abandoning the 2015 nuclear accord. Meanwhile, officials warned of hyperinflation nearing 90 percent and a deepening recession triggered by renewed UN sanctions, with senior insiders admitting protests inside Iran are “unavoidable.” Western analysts say Tehran now views U.S. and Israeli actions as part of a coordinated effort to destabilize the regime.

6. Iran Formally Joins the International Convention Against Terror Financing

President Masoud Pezeshkian informed Iran’s key ministries and judiciary of the country’s accession to the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, following parliamentary approval and conditional endorsement by the Expediency Council. The move revives debate over Iran’s FATF commitments, a Pezeshkian campaign pledge, after its 2020 return to the financial watchdog’s blacklist.

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★EGYPT

7. Israeli Report: Egypt Seeks to Reduce Its Reliance on a Single Arms Source

Israel’s Walla news site reported that Egypt has signed multibillion-dollar deals to strengthen its armored corps and is working to diversify its weapons suppliers to lessen dependence on any single source. The report noted Israeli concern over the Egyptian army’s growing capabilities and modernization efforts.

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★SYRIA

8. Syrian Forces Surround Camp Housing French Fighters in Idlib Countryside

Syrian security forces surrounded a camp in the Harem area of Idlib that houses French extremist fighters led by Omar Diaby, known as “Omar Omsen,” after he allegedly kidnapped a girl and refused to surrender. Light clashes erupted overnight as security imposed a full siege. The operation reportedly aims to detain wanted French nationals for potential extradition to France.

9. UK Removes Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham from Terror List

Following Washington, the UK government on Tuesday removed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham from its list of proscribed terrorist organizations under the Terrorism Act 2000. The move aims to enhance cooperation with Syria’s new government, support U.K. priorities in counterterrorism, migration, and chemical weapons destruction, and improve coordination against ISIS, while keeping the option to reassess if new threats emerge.

10. Syrian–Iraqi Joint Operation Seizes Massive Hashish and Captagon Shipment

Syria’s Interior Ministry announced a joint anti-narcotics operation with Iraq that foiled an attempt to smuggle 108 kilograms of hashish and over 1.27 million Captagon pills across the border. The coordinated field and intelligence effort led to multiple international arrests, underscoring growing Damascus–Baghdad cooperation against cross-border drug trafficking networks.

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★TURKIYE

11. Türkiye Seeks to Buy 24 Used Eurofighter Jets from Qatar: Bloomberg

Bloomberg reported that Türkiye is negotiating to purchase 24 used Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3A jets from Qatar as part of efforts to modernize its air force. The deal, supported by Britain, may be discussed during President Erdoğan’s visit to Doha this week. Talks continue alongside Ankara’s separate bid to buy 16 new Tranche 4 jets.

12. Erdogan Uses Trump’s Gaza Ceasefire Deal to Bolster Regional Clout

By persuading Hamas to accept former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan turned a diplomatic risk into a strategic win, boosting Türkiye’s regional influence and ties with Washington. Reuters said Ankara’s pressure was key as Hamas agreed to release hostages and halt fighting.

13. Turkey Extends Military Deployments in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq

The Turkish parliament approved on Tuesday the extension of its military participation in UNIFIL in southern Lebanon for two more years and renewed a three-year mandate for deployments in Syria and northern Iraq. The moves aim to maintain regional security, counter hostile Kurdish factions, and support stability during evolving developments in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.

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★LEBANON

14. Hezbollah Rebuilds Quickly as Lebanon Fails Disarmament

Western intelligence officials told The Jerusalem Post that Hezbollah is rearming and rebuilding faster than the Lebanese army can dismantle its infrastructure, despite Beirut’s new disarmament initiative. Most reconstruction occurs north of the Litani River, while U.S. envoy Tom Barrack warned Israel may act unilaterally if Lebanon fails to curb the group.

15. Hezbollah Chief Qasem: Party’s Arms Are Part of Lebanon’s Strength

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qasem said Tuesday that the group’s weapons form part of Lebanon’s strength and that disarming Hezbollah would not resolve the country’s issues. He criticized U.S. intervention as covering Israeli actions and pursuing regional expansion, warning that Lebanon will resist any attempts at subjugation or turning it into part of “Greater Israel.”

16. IDF Strike Kills Hezbollah Commander in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli airstrike killed Issa Ahmad Karbala, a Hezbollah Radwan Force commander, in Ain Qana, southern Lebanon. Karbala was involved in weapons movement and attacks on Israel. The IDF also conducted ground operations on Mount Dov and continues drills along the Lebanon border, maintaining readiness and targeting Hezbollah infrastructure under the 2024 ceasefire agreements.

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★THE GULF

17. Saudi-Led Naval Force Seizes $1 Billion Drugs

A Saudi-led multinational naval task force operating under the Combined Maritime Forces announced the seizure of narcotics worth over $972 million in the Arabian Sea. The operation, conducted by Pakistan’s navy under Saudi command, captured over two tons of crystal meth, 350 kilograms of meth, and 50 kilograms of cocaine in one of the coalition’s largest drug busts.

18. U.S. and Qatar Warn EU Sustainability Rules Could Hurt LNG Competitiveness

Qatar and the United States expressed concern to EU leaders that corporate sustainability due diligence rules may unintentionally undermine the competitiveness of liquefied natural gas exports. Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Al-Kaabi warned that without further adjustments, Qatar might be unable to supply LNG to Europe to help close its energy gap.

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★ Disclaimer: This publication 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.