Aug 11, 2026, 08:30 AM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his rejection of a 15-point US-backed peace plan for Gaza, declaring in televised cabinet remarks on Sunday that Israeli forces "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed." The statement comes despite pressure from US President Donald Trump, under which major Israeli military strikes in Gaza have reportedly paused.

Netanyahu's formal refusal to accept the framework, which was endorsed by Hamas in late July, highlights a growing policy rift between Jerusalem and Washington. Caught between far-right cabinet coalition partners opposing concessions and American demands for diplomatic progress, Netanyahu faces mounting domestic political friction ahead of Israel's upcoming national election on October 27. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue operations to thwart potential threats.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.

US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have rejected media reports claiming American military operations against Iran severely depleted missile stockpiles. Trump asserted that the United States maintains vast reserves of ammunition and warned that individuals leaking military inventory details face severe prison sentences. The administration's pushback follows reports suggesting diminished weapons reserves had forced a pause in further military strikes.

Simultaneously, Trump announced that diplomatic discussions with Tehran have resumed, describing them as a last chance for Iran to reach an agreement, though Iranian officials previously denied any ongoing talks. Domestically, the administration faces legal actions from several US states over new trade tariffs alongside falling public approval ratings ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

Sources: Der Standard, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

German authorities are grappling with an escalation in hybrid warfare threats, including drone overflights, critical infrastructure sabotage, and targeted political interference. Security officials report over 100 cases where foreign state involvement is suspected, highlighted by a recent incident involving an explosive-laden drone near Leipzig/Halle airport.

Simultaneously, intelligence agencies warn of intensified Russian disinformation campaigns ahead of September regional elections. These operations focus on discrediting established mainstream political parties—including the CDU, SPD, Greens, and FDP—while notably avoiding the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD).

At the same time, military analysts are questioning the Bundeswehr’s procurement strategy, raising concerns over whether heavy armored vehicles remain effective against increasingly dominant, low-cost uncrewed aerial systems. Experts urge faster government action to bolster defensive capabilities against these evolving multi-domain challenges.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, DW, FAZ

Germany’s government is facing heightened pressure driven by opposition poll gains, internal party criticism, and public demonstrations.

According to the latest Deutschlandtrend survey, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) extended its lead over the opposition CDU/CSU, accompanied by growing public acceptance of case-by-case cooperation with the party. Concurrently, internal discontent within the Social Democratic Party (SPD) escalated as the "AG Migration und Vielfalt" group urged an autumn special party conference to replace leadership, asserting existing leaders have failed.

In Plauen, thousands gathered for anti-government protests organized by "Einigkeit für Deutschland." Attendance figures varied across media reports: FAZ cited police estimates of approximately 10,000 attendees, whereas Die Zeit reported that police and assembly authorities initially gave no exact numbers.

Meanwhile, official Federal Interior Ministry data showed initial asylum applications dropped to 4,311 in July, almost halving compared to July 2025.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau

Emergency crews in western Colombia are searching for survivors after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Chocó department near San José del Palmar. The tremor occurred at a depth of roughly 80 to 107 kilometers and caused widespread shaking across major urban areas including Medellín, Cali, and Bogotá.

In Cali, local officials reported that at least 20 structures collapsed, leaving residents trapped beneath rubble. Casualty figures fluctuate among reporting agencies as disaster response operations proceed. Initial casualty estimates vary significantly across news outlets, with reported death tolls ranging from at least 47 to over 80 people, along with dozens of injuries. Search and rescue operations remain active across impacted municipalities.

Sources: Avaz, CDM, HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix