Aug 3, 2026, 10:30 PM UTC

A severe European heatwave and prolonged drought have reduced major rivers to historic low water levels, triggering energy supply warnings and emergency measures across the region.

Record low levels were reported along the Rhine at Cologne in Germany and Lobith in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, critical conditions along the Danube have disrupted regional energy infrastructure. Romanian authorities conducted controlled underwater detonations to clear water flow toward the Cernavodă nuclear power station.

In Serbia, power production at the Đerdap hydroelectric facility dropped to its lowest level since its commissioning in the early 1970s. Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut convened an emergency headquarters session as the government urged citizens to conserve electricity while daily temperatures reached up to 39 degrees Celsius.

Sources: Avaz, Beta, Danas, HRT Vijesti, N1

Following a massive border crossing into Ceuta, local authorities estimate between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remain in the Spanish enclave, out of an estimated total of up to 80,000 who entered. Moroccan authorities reported lower figures, acknowledging 40,000 entries into Ceuta, 1,135 into Melilla, and 11 deaths on Moroccan territory.

In Madrid, the crisis triggered political friction between Spain's Interior and Defense ministries over military involvement. Additionally, the central government dismissed a National Security Department communications official after a brief report claimed 49,000 people had crossed. Spain now faces a mandatory 15-day deadline to relocate hundreds of unaccompanied migrant minors to mainland autonomous communities.

Sources: Canarias7, Diário de Notícias, El Día, El Mundo, La Vanguardia

Following formal security concerns raised by Jerusalem regarding Donald Trump’s Gaza peace initiative, the U.S. President’s Board of Peace assured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas fully disarms.

The clarification follows pushback from Israel over an earlier draft calling for a phased troop pullout and an immediate cessation of strikes. Israeli leadership rejected any military exit preceding total disarmament, deeming disarmament a prerequisite and warning that a premature withdrawal could enable further attacks by Hamas.

While Hamas representatives had previously stated that their compliance on weapons depended on initial pullback steps by Israeli forces, Washington’s updated stance explicitly conditions any troop withdrawal on Hamas's complete disarmament first.

Sources: FAZ, France24, Le Monde, ORF, Tagesschau.