Sep 7, 2026, 01:00 AM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explicitly rejected a US-backed 15-point peace proposal for Gaza previously accepted by Hamas. In televised remarks to his cabinet, Netanyahu stated that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" and asserted that the military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed."

The prime minister emphasized that Israeli forces would continue to counter security threats, despite a recent reduction in military strikes prompted by diplomatic pressure from Washington.

The stance highlights growing friction between Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, who recently announced the plan. Netanyahu also faces internal political pressure from far-right coalition partners demanding a firm posture ahead of Israel's upcoming general election scheduled for October 27.

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

Ukraine is pursuing domestic defense technologies to address severe vulnerabilities to Russian ballistic attacks while facing delays in obtaining Western air defense systems. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that licensing and setting up domestic manufacturing for American Patriot systems could take from a year to several years due to bureaucratic hurdles.

To counter these shortfalls, two local defense firms are developing indigenous ballistic missiles, though technical hurdles delay immediate mass production. Additionally, Ukraine is deploying the "Equalizer" precision conversion kit created by DG Industry and Brave1. The system converts standard free-fall bombs into standoff precision munitions compatible with Soviet-built and Western aircraft, offering a faster effort to reduce dependence on foreign arms supplies.

Sources: NEXTA, NV, Point, The Insider, Українська правда

American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have traveled to Eastern Europe as part of a renewed diplomatic push by US President Donald Trump to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

After arriving in Moscow, where they were received by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, the delegation traveled onward to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian leadership, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump stated that the negotiators are carrying a fresh proposal aimed at resolving the conflict, though specific terms of the initiative have not been released publicly.

The diplomatic push comes as hostilities continue, with international observers expressing caution regarding whether the renewed talks will yield a breakthrough.

Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, Cyprus Mail, France24, Politico Europe (Defense)

Rising domestic tension in Russia precedes upcoming parliamentary elections, marked by widespread citizen anxiety over potential post-election military mobilization. Despite official denials from Moscow, reports indicate some residents are liquidating assets ahead of a possible draft.

Simultaneously, the state has tightened political control. Courts recently banned the anti-war party Yabloko and handed an 11-year prison sentence to opposition figure Lev Schlosberg.

These domestic developments coincide with late-summer economic and political strain—historically referred to as "Black August"—and broader uncertainty regarding long-term succession for 73-year-old President Vladimir Putin. Abroad, Moscow is concentrating foreign policy efforts on Serbia, warning against potential "color revolutions" to preserve its regional influence.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti

Military tension in the Strait of Hormuz has escalated following a major US crude oil transit and subsequent military strikes on Iran's Larak Island. In response, Iranian forces deployed rocket-launched sea mines in the strategic waterway. Tehran reiterated that the maritime corridor will not reopen until Washington fulfills several conditions, including unfreezing Iranian financial assets, ending port blockades, lifting sanctions on oil exports, and ceasing military operations.

Prior to the current conflict, approximately 20 million barrels of crude oil passed through the strait every day. The United States utilized extensive naval, aerial, and space monitoring assets during its recent transit operation, marking its largest crude transport through the passage since hostilities began.

Sources: Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)