Aug 13, 2026, 02:30 PM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point US peace framework for Gaza championed by President Donald Trump.

Addressing his cabinet, Netanyahu stated that Israeli military forces "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed" and confirmed that "Israel rejects the 15-point document." The announcement highlights an explicit diplomatic rift between Washington and Jerusalem over the roadmap, which Hamas had endorsed in late July.

Despite Netanyahu's public refusal, Israeli offensives in the enclave have largely halted under White House pressure. The prime minister's refusal comes amid mounting domestic political pressure ahead of Israel's upcoming national election on October 27, as he balances relations with Washington against demands from far-right coalition partners.

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

Tensions across key Middle Eastern waterways continue to mount as diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran remain deadlocked. Iranian negotiators maintain that the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until Washington fulfills all terms of the June memorandum, including sanctions relief and releasing foreign assets. Conversely, US officials assert military authority over the passage.

Operational hostilities have heightened alongside the political impasse. US forces targeted the container ship Vela Nova in the Gulf of Oman for violating blockade rules. Simultaneously, Houthi strikes hit Yemen's Al Makha port and a merchant vessel near Bab el-Mandeb, leaving four seafarers dead and driving up global crude prices. Diplomatic strain has also widened after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared Israel will not withdraw from occupied areas in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, drawing criticism from Washington.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica, Shipping Italy

Ukraine has targeted Russian energy infrastructure, triggering a fire at an oil facility in Salavat following a drone strike, with another plant expected to remain offline for months. The actions come as Ukrainian authorities prepare for a challenging winter, fearing renewed Russian strikes against their own power grid.

Concurrently, US intelligence reports suggest Moscow might test NATO's resolve through cyber operations or limited ground incursions along the alliance's eastern flank. Kremlin pressure on Nordic nations has also intensified, marked by the designation of several Norwegian non-governmental groups as undesirable entities. Meanwhile, Russian authorities are increasing domestic controls, penalizing citizens who post online footage documenting local strike damage.

Sources: Aftenposten, Dagens Næringsliv (DN), Finansavisen, TV 2 Nyheter, VG (Verdens Gang)

Capital Area Police in Reykjavík are investigating a series of recent physical assaults involving young people downtown. Police official Hjördís Sigurbjartsdóttir confirmed that multiple victims required emergency hospital treatment, though officers determined that no weapons were used despite initial reports of a knife.

The investigations coincide with broader European concerns about youth recruitment into organized crime. Katrín Sif Oddgeirsdóttir, a criminologist with the National Police Commissioner, emphasized that minors involved in criminal networks are frequently victims of exploitation themselves. Icelandic authorities are continuing their inquiries into the incidents while reviewing youth crime trends.

Sources: Morgunblaðið, Vísir

Western and Southern Europe are facing severe weather conditions as the continent encounters its fourth major heatwave of the year. Italian health authorities issued top-level red alerts for all 27 major cities, including Messina and Reggio Calabria, as temperatures near 40°C are predicted to last through the coming week. At least four heat-related deaths have been recorded in Italy, prompting official recommendations to remain indoors during peak daytime hours.

In Central Europe, Austria's national meteorological service reported a preliminary record temperature of 40.8°C in Stammersdorf, near Vienna, surpassing the previous record set in 2013. Meanwhile, France and the United Kingdom are preparing for renewed high temperatures alongside ongoing risks of drought and severe wildfires.

Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, DR, TV 2 Nyheter, VG (Verdens Gang)