City in Israel’s Southern District; home to Intel Fab 28
Israel has closed the British consulate in East Jerusalem as part of retaliatory moves after the UK announced a trade ban with settlements in the West Bank. The dispute also involves discussions over a Gaza ceasefire and British officials barred from entering Israel. Several former diplomats warn the move risks harming Palestinians and destabilising regional relations.
The US-backed Board of Peace has scaled back its Gaza reconstruction plan to a small pilot camp near Rafah and authorised limited international stabilisation personnel. Hamas has dissolved its Gaza governing body but has not agreed to disarm. Israel has refused major troop withdrawals, continued strikes and delayed legal agreements needed for larger deployments; large-scale rebuilding is unlikely before Israel's October election.
Saudi Arabia launches a defensive, coalition-led effort to secure Red Sea shipping routes as Houthi attacks and US-Iran tensions threaten freedom of navigation. The alliance aims to coordinate intelligence, exercises, and joint operations across signatories, with a focus on protecting vital energy corridors and maritime trade.
Ceasefire negotiations in Gaza have stalled as Israeli air strikes resume, killing civilians and police officials. Mediators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar are pressing for a second phase of the ceasefire, including Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal. Health authorities report multiple casualties from coastal Gaza strikes, underscoring fragile hopes for a durable halt to hostilities.
AP and partners report a thriving illicit trade at Gaza's border, with cigarettes, dual-use goods, tech, and daily essentials flowing in despite restrictions. The trade is profiting both sides, fueling prices for residents while supporting militant and military actors. Authorities say flows have increased since a fragile ceasefire, though remain well below prewar levels.
Uganda has approved troop deployment to the Gaza stabilization force; Burundi is eyeing participation, with talks ongoing. The push involves a planned 20,000-strong multinational operation led by the United States, while the African Union weighs its stance as contributing nations discuss numbers, funding, and guarantees for troops.