🌍 IRAQI DRONES, U.S. STRIKES FROM ISRAEL AND TURKEY-QATAR WARNINGS
🕑 Published: July 28, 2026 · 8:00 PM Israel time
🛡️ IRAQI DRONE ACTIVITY: The Israeli Air Force intercepted a UAV near the Jordanian border before it entered Israeli territory, while Jordan separately reported shooting down a drone over its eastern desert. Israel believes the aircraft were launched from Iraq.
Iran-backed Iraqi factions have reportedly launched 20 drones toward Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia over recent days. The IDF also assesses that three attacks targeting Israel last week originated from Iraq.
✈️ U.S. OPERATIONS FROM ISRAEL: Defense Minister Israel Katz said American fighter jets are departing from Israel, including for refueling, before conducting strikes in Iran. He argued that this activity has contributed to Iranian deterrence but cautioned that Tehran’s calculations could change.
Katz said Israel has warned that any Iranian attack would trigger a forceful response and that it remains prepared to strike Iran again. He also disclosed that Washington is currently withholding approval for Israeli strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington from Nevatim Air Base rather than Ben Gurion Airport due to security concerns and fears of possible Iranian retaliation. The flight left without accompanying journalists.
⚓ IRANIAN SHIPPING WARNING: Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters accused the United States of threatening Iranian commercial vessels and oil tankers near Iranian waters. It warned that any attempted blockade would be treated as a further escalation of the war and would draw an Iranian response.
🌐 TURKEY AND THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AXIS: Katz said Israel had severely weakened the Iranian-led Shiite axis and Hamas but warned that the Muslim Brotherhood network involving Turkey and Qatar could pose a comparable threat.
He accused the network of acting against Israel and attempting to undermine the governments of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah. Katz said Israel must protect its interests even where its threat assessment differs from Washington’s and specifically warned against Turkey strengthening Syria.
Katz said Israel is not seeking another conflict but would not retreat from defending its strategic interests. Israeli security officials separately accused Turkey of attempting to interfere in Israel’s upcoming elections, according to i24 News.
🏛️ BENNETT TARGETS QATAR: Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett pledged to designate Qatar an enemy state if he leads the next government. He accused Qatar of financing Hamas and the IRGC, sponsoring Islamist terrorism and operating a global influence campaign through Al Jazeera and activity on American university campuses.
Bennett said an investigation into the failures surrounding October 7 should conclude that Qatar and its leadership seek Israel’s destruction.
📦 HEZBOLLAH WEAPONS DEPOT: The Lebanese Army informed the coordination mechanism that it had discovered a Hezbollah weapons depot in one of the designated pilot zones, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.
📍 JUDEA AND SAMARIA OPERATION: The IDF has been instructed to prepare to take control of another refugee camp, following the model of its operations in Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur al-Shams, according to the Defense Minister’s Office.
🚨 KISSUFIM FALSE ALARM: Sirens sounded in the Kissufim area early in the morning. The IDF later determined that the alert resulted from a false identification.
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