★ IRAN
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Trump Warns Iran Will Be Destroyed If It Targets Him
US President Donald Trump warned that Iran would be “wiped off the face of the earth” if it attempted to assassinate him, saying he issued standing orders for total retaliation. Speaking to NewsNation, he cited past intelligence briefings on alleged Iranian threats and reiterated readiness to use military force amid tensions and protests in Iran.
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Iran’s Internet Blackout Batters Economy, Hits Small Businesses Hard
Iran’s longest-ever internet shutdown, imposed amid a violent protest crackdown, is crippling the economy and devastating small businesses reliant on online platforms. With sales collapsing, inflation soaring, and no clear timeline for restoration, the blackout is fueling public anger while costing Iran tens of millions of dollars daily, deepening an already severe economic crisis.
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Iran Accused of Missile, Drone Attack on Kurdish Forces
Iran carried out a missile and drone strike on the Kurdistan Freedom Party’s forces in Iraq overnight, the group said, targeting its Kurdistan National Army unit and killing one member. The attack follows Iran’s history of striking Kurdish dissidents in Iraq and marks a major response amid ongoing protests inside Iran.
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★ ISRAEL
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Netanyahu Joins Trump’s Board of Peace Initiative
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted US President Donald Trump’s invitation to join the Board of Peace, a new initiative initially focused on ending the Gaza conflict and potentially expanding to other global disputes, Netanyahu’s office said Wednesday, confirming Israel’s participation in the US-led diplomatic framework.
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Hamas Rebuilds Gaza Leadership Around Sinwar’s Surviving Inner Circle
Hamas is rebuilding its Gaza leadership around associates of slain leader Yahya Sinwar, with Shalit-deal release Ali al-Amodi emerging as de facto Gaza Bureau chief and other loyalists filling key roles. Despite heavy losses, surviving political, military, and policing structures remain intact, while Hamas’s external leadership continues operating from Qatar and Turkey.
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Israel Alarmed as Trump Appoints Hamas-Linked States to Gaza Board
Israel sharply criticized a US decision to include Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan in Gaza’s postwar governance under Phase Two of President Donald Trump’s plan, saying it was uncoordinated and unacceptable. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to block Turkish or Qatari troops in Gaza, warning the Hamas-linked states could undermine efforts to disarm the group.
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IDF Reserve Brigade Hits 15 Hamas Targets Near Gaza Buffer
IDF reservists from the Jerusalem Brigade struck 15 Hamas targets in 40 minutes along Gaza’s buffer zone after a breach near Rafah, killing at least 14 terrorists. The army said forces operated almost daily despite the ceasefire, disrupting Hamas regrouping, destroying tunnels and weapons, and preparing for possible renewed fighting.
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★ SYRIA
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Syrian Security Forces Enter Al-Hol Camp After Kurdish Withdrawal
Syrian security forces entered the Al-Hol camp in northeast Syria after Kurdish-led SDF forces withdrew, following a new ceasefire and integration deal with Damascus. The camp houses over 24,000 people linked to ISIS families. The move reflects shifting control as Syria’s government expands authority and the US-backed Kurdish role winds down.
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★TURKIYE
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Trump, Erdogan Discuss Syria, Gaza, and Peace Board Initiative
US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan discussed developments in Syria and Gaza during a phone call, focusing on a ceasefire with Kurdish forces, the fight against Islamic State, and Gaza’s future governance. Erdogan thanked Trump for inviting Turkey to join the Gaza Board of Peace, which Ankara is still weighing.
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★THE GULF
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UAE Strengthens Defence Ties With India During Saudi Rivalry
The UAE and India signed multi-billion-dollar defence and trade agreements during President Mohamed bin Zayed’s visit to New Delhi, including gas supplies, investment projects and plans for strategic military cooperation. The move is seen as Abu Dhabi hedging strategically as rivalry with Saudi Arabia intensifies across the Middle East and beyond.
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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.
