Sep 2, 2026, 06:00 AM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally dismissed a 15-point Gaza peace proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, declaring that Israeli forces will not pull back from the enclave without the complete disarmament of Hamas.

Speaking to his cabinet, Netanyahu stated that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" and reaffirmed that military operations would continue to address security risks. The rejection highlights growing tension between Washington and Tel Aviv, even as Israeli military strikes have recently quieted under American influence.

Netanyahu's decision comes ahead of Israel's national election on October 27, where he faces domestic pressure from right-wing coalition members alongside international demands. Concurrently, Yemen's Houthi rebels asserted responsibility for strikes targeting Saudi Aramco assets and the Yemeni port of Mokha.

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

Poland marked Armed Forces Day with nationwide events commemorating the 1920 Battle of Warsaw, featuring a military parade in the capital and naval demonstrations off Gdynia.

Speaking at the Gdynia naval display, Prime Minister Donald Tusk stressed deterrence as central to avoiding conflict. He outlined four main security priorities: secure borders, strong international alliances, increased military investment, and economic growth. Tusk also visited the PGZ Naval Shipyard to inspect progress on the frigate Wicher, constructed under the Miecznik defense program to strengthen Baltic maritime capabilities.

Military officials confirmed full operational readiness for the celebrations following final rehearsals along Warsaw's Wisłostrada highway.

Sources: Defence24, Money, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

Southern and Central Europe continue to face severe heatwaves as temperatures approach or exceed 40 degrees Celsius. In Italy, health authorities issued red alerts for all 27 major cities amid its fourth heatwave of the year, warning residents to stay indoors between 11:00 and 18:00.

Record-breaking conditions have also been recorded elsewhere. Austria registered its highest temperature on record at 40.8 degrees Celsius near Vienna. In France, where heatwave conditions have persisted for 52 days since mid-June, health officials reported more than 7,300 excess deaths between May and July.

Meteorologists warn that high temperatures, drought conditions, and elevated wildfire risks will persist across Western and Southern Europe, including the United Kingdom and France, over the coming week.

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

German security agencies are investigating more than 100 suspected cases of foreign state interference as Berlin prepares to formally blame Moscow for conducting covert hybrid operations. Recent findings include an explosive-laden drone discovered near cargo aircraft at Leipzig Airport and a clandestine arms cache containing active firearms hidden near the Berlin border.

Security officials assess that these actions, which also involve railway sabotage, unauthorized drone flights over military installations, and online disinformation, aim to destabilize democratic institutions and polarize public opinion. German authorities are expected to officially name Russian intelligence in the coming days while rolling out defensive and diplomatic responses.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

The United States Supreme Court has temporarily lifted a lower court injunction, allowing construction on President Donald Trump's $400 million White House ballroom to resume while legal proceedings continue.

In a 5-4 ruling, the court's conservative majority decided that the administration demonstrated a strong likelihood of dismissing the lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Chief Justice John Roberts issued the order to give the justices additional time to evaluate the administration's emergency petition.

While the court emphasized that the order does not constitute a final judgment on the legality of the project, construction crews may resume work immediately. Consequently, the structural shell of the venue could be completed before the legal dispute reaches its ultimate conclusion.

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