US Israel Iran War Latest Live News: The Israeli military said it carried out a targeted drone strike against a man identified as a Hamas commander in northern Gaza on Wednesday, despite calls from officials involved in peace efforts to stop such attacks. The strike came as diplomatic efforts continue to ease the wider Middle East conflict.
US Israel Iran War Latest Live News: Israel says Gaza drone strike targeted a Hamas commander
The Israeli military said a drone strike in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, targeted a man it identified as a Hamas commander. However, the military did not provide his name or confirm whether he was killed. It was the first targeted Israeli strike publicly announced since August 3. The attack comes at a sensitive time as efforts continue to advance a proposed Gaza peace arrangement.
U.S. President Donald Trump has backed a plan that includes stopping targeted strikes as part of efforts to move toward a broader peace agreement. Hamas has accepted the proposal to give up its weapons, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the plan earlier this week, saying Hamas must completely disarm before Israel accepts the terms.
Officials involved in the Board of Peace initiative have urged Israel to halt such strikes, arguing that doing so could help move negotiations forward.
The Israeli military did not release further information about the person targeted. Officials at Shifa and Nasser hospitals said four wounded people were brought to the facilities following the strike. Gaza’s Health Ministry said 45 people had been killed in the territory since August 1.
US Israel Iran War Latest Live News: Three Pakistanis killed in Houthi attack on ship
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condemned a Houthi attack on a ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. He said three Pakistani nationals were killed and another was injured in the attack, which left six people dead in total.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over shipping through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, an important maritime route near Yemen.
The disruption is particularly significant because the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed amid the US-Iran confrontation. With the Hormuz route severely restricted, attention has increased on alternative shipping routes through the Red Sea.
The latest Houthi attack comes amid growing violence involving the Iran-aligned group, including attacks against Yemeni government forces, Saudi interests and shipping in the Red Sea.
US Israel Iran War Latest Live News: Trump claims US has “total control” of Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States has “total control” of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Referring to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, Trump wrote: “I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!”
The Strait of Hormuz was previously a major global energy route, carrying roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil. Its closure and severe disruption during the war have created major concerns for international shipping and energy markets.
Iran, however, disputes Washington’s claim of control. Tehran has said the waterway will not reopen unless the United States meets its demands, including ending the blockade and addressing other issues linked to the conflict.
US Israel Iran War Latest Live News: Pakistan pushes for renewed US-Iran peace talks
Pakistan is continuing its diplomatic efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to negotiations and prevent further escalation. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam in Islamabad on Wednesday. The meeting came one day after Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi travelled to Tehran for discussions with senior Iranian officials.
A temporary agreement reached in June to halt the fighting is due to expire Monday. The arrangement followed more than two weeks of direct attacks between the United States and Iran before the fighting paused.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the June agreement remains valid and suggested that its deadline could be extended.
“We are not closing the chapter,” Andrabi said. However, negotiations remain difficult. A senior Iranian source said Wednesday that talks aimed at reviving the interim agreement had stalled, with Washington and Tehran still divided over issues including the blockade and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
US Israel Iran War Latest Live News: Turkey condemns Colombia’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights
Turkey has condemned Colombia’s decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, saying the move would “legitimize Israel’s occupation” of the territory. Colombia became only the second country to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights after conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella took office.
Israel captured the territory from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in 1981. The United Nations continues to recognize the Golan Heights as Syrian territory. The United States was the first country to formally recognize Israeli sovereignty over the territory during Trump’s first presidential term.
US Israel Iran War Latest Live News: Kuwait says it foiled planned terrorist attack
Kuwait’s Interior Ministry said authorities had prevented a “terrorist plot” targeting an unspecified vital facility. A Kuwaiti citizen linked to the Islamic State group was detained shortly before authorities said he was preparing to carry out the planned attack.
The ministry said the suspect had received training in making explosives and operating drones that were allegedly intended for use in the attack. Authorities did not identify the facility that was allegedly targeted or provide additional information about the suspected plot.
