Aug 28, 2026, 11:30 PM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump and accepted by Hamas, declaring that Israeli troops will not pull back until the militant group disarms.

Speaking in televised remarks to his cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu stated that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" and reaffirmed that military forces "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed." The refusal underscores growing diplomatic tension between Israel and the United States, despite a recent reduction in Israeli offensive operations in Gaza following American pressure. Netanyahu is balancing demands from far-right coalition partners against US diplomatic pressure ahead of Israel's national election scheduled for October 27.

In a separate development, Houthi militants in Yemen claimed responsibility for recent military strikes targeting Yemen's port of Mokha and a Saudi Aramco oil facility.

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

Ukrainian drone operators stationed in the Zaporizhzhia region are grappling with the mental toll of conducting high-definition aerial warfare from hidden positions along the southern front. Service members from the 82nd Air Assault Brigade's 1st Battalion operate out of abandoned civilian homes, relying on concealed satellite connectivity to coordinate reconnaissance and targeted strikes.

While incoming artillery remains a persistent hazard, personnel report that monitoring high-resolution live video feeds of battlefield engagements presents severe psychological stress. Continuous surveillance mandates extended observation of targets, requiring operators to view close-range lethal impacts in real time. Despite these emotional challenges and physical risks, Ukrainian units maintain active flight schedules to monitor troop movements and defend frontline positions.

Sources: Die Presse

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has formally submitted a proposal to parliament to confirm Yevhen Khmara, former head of the security service, as Defence Minister. The Verkhovna Rada is expected to vote on Wednesday regarding Khmara and Foreign Minister nominee Andrii Sybiha.

The leadership shift follows last month's dismissal of Mychajlo Fedorov, which triggered public protests. Fedorov has since criticized state corruption and urged national elections despite the ongoing war, warning of a governance crisis.

Simultaneously, newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Mychajlo Drapatyj has initiated reforms to restructure the armed forces and dismantle patronage networks established under former leadership.

Sources: Ekonomický deník, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Respect, Seznam Zprávy

United States President Donald Trump stated that talks mediated by Oman are advancing and suggested a deal could emerge soon, while warning Tehran would be hit "very strongly" if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened quickly. Iranian officials countered that the strategic corridor will remain closed until Washington meets key conditions, including lifting oil sanctions, unfreezing Iranian assets, and ending military operations.

Despite confirming a technical agreement with Oman to establish a safe transit route, senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders promised "strategic surprises" for the US and rejected American pressure. Maritime traffic through the waterway remains severely constrained, with daily transits down to around 15 compared to 95 prior to the six-month blockade.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, Jornal Económico, RTP.

German security services are evaluating more than 100 potential state-sponsored sabotage and espionage incidents, with suspicion primarily directed at Russian intelligence services.

According to investigative reports, authorities discovered a hidden weapons cache containing two loaded handguns in a forest along Berlin's border last year. Intelligence officials suspect Russian operatives placed the arms to facilitate physical attacks within Germany. Investigators are also examining an August incident at Leipzig Airport, where an unexploded drone carrying high explosives was discovered near Ukrainian transport aircraft.

Other suspected hybrid operations include underwater cable disruption, railway sabotage, and targeted disinformation campaigns aimed at weakening democratic institutions. German law enforcement agencies continue efforts to determine the full scope of foreign state involvement in these activities.

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