Aug 24, 2026, 02:00 AM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a US-supported 15-point peace proposal for Gaza, declaring that Israeli armed forces will not leave the enclave without the complete disarmament of Hamas.

Addressing his cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu directly dismissed the framework recently endorsed by Hamas and promoted by US President Donald Trump. He stated that the military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces."

The stance highlights visible friction between Israel and Washington, even as Israeli combat operations have reportedly slowed following American diplomacy. Netanyahu faces complex political dynamics, balancing the demands of right-wing coalition partners ahead of elections scheduled for 27 October against ongoing strategic coordination with the United States.

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

The United States has escalated its financial offensive against Iran following stalled diplomatic negotiations, with President Donald Trump announcing sweeping measures aimed at total economic isolation. The White House warned that foreign entities assisting Tehran would face severe penalties, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent prepared to outline specific enforcement actions.

In response, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, warned that Tehran would counter aggressively and target the interests of regional neighbours that cooperate with Washington's economic measures.

Concurrently, Iranian forces maintain their naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has resisted US efforts to negotiate a standalone reopening of the strategic maritime corridor, demanding the complete implementation of a 14-point memorandum negotiated in June, which includes lifting economic sanctions, unfreezing foreign assets, and restoring unimpeded access to Iranian ports.

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

Russian air attacks struck multiple Ukrainian regions overnight, causing casualties and extensive damage across Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces launched coordinated barrages of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones aimed at civilian infrastructure, while Ukrainian drones were also reported targeting Moscow.

In Kyiv, domestic political tensions intensified after dismissed defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov urged authorities to restore democratic elections, asserting that governance cannot remain indefinitely suspended during wartime. The demands coincide with anti-corruption operations scrutinising individuals connected to the administration, as parliament considers the confirmation of Yevhenii Khmara as the new defense minister.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica