📍 GAZA: The IDF and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) announced the elimination of three Hamas commanders in separate precision strikes.
According to the IDF, Mohammed Emad Alrahman Abu Taima infiltrated Kibbutz Nirim on October 7 and later directed attacks, recruitment, and operational activity. Ahmad Yahya Ibrahim Batsh commanded attacks against Israeli forces throughout the war, while Hamouda Abu Daqa gathered intelligence used to plan operations against IDF troops. The announcement follows the reported elimination of Hamas training division commander Fadi Daghmash as Israel continues targeting operatives assessed as posing immediate threats.
Israeli authorities also foiled an attempted smuggling operation at Lachish Crossing after discovering thousands of concealed cigarettes hidden inside a shipment of pineapples destined for Gaza through the private humanitarian aid mechanism. The truck was confiscated, a Customs investigation was opened, and COGAT immediately suspended the participating company's authorization, reiterating a zero-tolerance policy toward abuse of humanitarian aid channels.
🇱🇧 LEBANON: IDF forces operating inside the southern Lebanon security zone located multiple Hezbollah weapons caches in Tallousa, including anti-tank weapons, explosives, ammunition, protective equipment, and Hezbollah flags. Some weapons were found inside a civilian residence.
During searches near Bint Jbeil, a Hezbollah terrorist opened fire from inside a building. An Oketz military dog was killed in the exchange, while no Israeli soldiers were injured.
The IDF is reviewing which soldiers fired the fatal shots after conflicting accounts emerged regarding the engagement. The military said the incident would be investigated transparently and that any inaccuracies would be treated as good-faith human errors.
Conflicting Lebanese media reports also emerged over an Israeli flag placed on Ali al-Tahir Hill, with differing claims regarding whether it was raised by ground forces or positioned by an Israeli drone.
🤝 ISRAEL-LEBANON DIPLOMACY: According to Al Arabiya English, Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors are expected to hold U.S.-mediated talks in Rome on July 15-16, with Italy confirming it will host the next round of negotiations.
The discussions build on last month's framework aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire, expanding Lebanese Army control in southern Lebanon, and beginning Hezbollah disarmament in designated pilot areas.
However, a Lebanese diplomatic source told Al Jazeera that Beirut opposes transferring the talks to Rome, alleging Israel sought the move to reduce American pressure. The same source also claimed Israel threatened legal action in U.S. courts accusing Lebanon of harboring terrorist organizations.
During a joint appearance with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described Hezbollah as Lebanon's primary challenge while also criticizing Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria and calling for increased humanitarian aid into Gaza.
🇮🇱 ISRAEL: The IDF announced a military exercise in the Golan Heights involving increased military activity and explosions, emphasizing there was no security incident.
Overnight, forces responding to reports of gunfire toward Kiryat Arba located a bullet that struck a home and continue operational and intelligence efforts in Hebron to identify those responsible.
Prime Minister Netanyahu argued that international support for Israel had been declining before the Gaza war and linked the trend to the rapid expansion of social media platforms, accusing hostile actors of using coordinated online campaigns and bot networks to influence younger audiences.
🌍 INTERNATIONAL: The Brussels Times reported that Belgium is preparing to recognize a Palestinian state following the dissolution of Hamas' governing institutions in Gaza.
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