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A curated weekday guide to major news and developments over the past 24 hours. Here’s today’s news:
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR — U.S. RESPONSE
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Egypt’s president yesterday to continue a diplomatic push to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. The New York Times reports.
Hamas directly criticized President Biden yesterday, saying his comments at the Democratic National Convention that the group is “backing away” from a ceasefire deal demonstrated “blind bias” toward Israel. The rare direct criticism casts doubt on the prospects of an agreement, which the Biden administration had hoped to reach this week. John Hudson, Shira Rubin, and Heba Farouk Mahfouz report for the Washington Post.
A senior U.S. official pushed back at reported comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he had “convinced” Blinken the ceasefire deal must see Israeli troops remain in parts of Gaza. Tom Bateman reports for BBC News.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR
An Israeli airstrike on a crowded area in central Gaza killed at least nine people yesterday, Gaza civil defense said. The New York Times reports.
Protesters marched in front of the Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv yesterday to demand a ceasefire deal and the release of hostages. The New York Times reports.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR — REGIONAL RESPONSE
Turkey’s foreign minister spoke with Blinken yesterday about the latest ceasefire negotiation efforts, a Turkey foreign ministry spokesperson said. Reuters reports.
ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH CONFLICT
The Israeli military and Lebanon’s Hezbollah traded cross-border strikes today, leaving at least one person dead deep inside Lebanon. Israel said it struck a Hezbollah weapons storage facility. In response, Hezbollah said it targeted an Israeli military base in the Golan Heights. The New York Times reports.
ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT
A senior Iranian military official hinted yesterday that a retaliation against Israel over the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran may be delayed. U.S. officials believe Tehran is exercising restraint amid Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Farnaz Fassihi reports for the New York Times; Lara Seligman, Alexander Ward, and Alan Cullison report for the Wall Street Journal.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
Russian authorities said today that Moscow came under the largest attack yet by Ukrainian drones since the start of 2022, and that it destroyed all of them. Russia’s military also said it captured the town of Niu-York in eastern Ukraine, a claim Ukraine has not confirmed. NBC News reports; Paul Kirby reports for BBC News.
Ukraine’s parliament passed a bill yesterday creating a legal path to ban a Russian-aligned branch of the Orthodox church. The measure, awaiting Zelenskyy’s signature, would further a post-Soviet split between two of the world’s largest Orthodox communities. Andrew E. Kramer reports for the New York Times.
OTHER U.S. DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS
In a classified document approved in March, Biden authorized a secret nuclear strategy, ordering U.S. forces to prepare for possible coordinated nuclear confrontations with Russia, China, and North Korea. David E. Sanger reports for the New York Times.
A California man accused of attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh will go on trial before a jury next June, a federal judge ordered yesterday. Josh Gerstein reports for POLITICO.
A police officer who recently worked in North Carolina has been arrested for his alleged actions during the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. John Carl faces five years in prison if convicted. Kyle Melnick reports for the Washington Post.
An independent commission tasked with reviewing last October’s mass shooting in Maine found there were several missed opportunities to prevent the rampage. Dakin Andone and Chris Boyette report for CNN.
A U.S. veteran who fled the country in January to avoid child pornography charges has resurfaced in Russia’s propaganda videos, describing his service in the Russian military as a drone operator in eastern Ukraine. Alex Horton reports for the Washington Post.
An active duty U.S. army soldier was charged with lying to the military about his ties to an insurrectionist group dedicated to overthrowing the government and illegally selling firearms, according to federal prosecutors in North Carolina. Sara Ruberg reports for the New York Times.
The Justice Department yesterday launched a civil rights investigation into reports of widespread abuses at a privately operated state prison in Tennessee, including murders, sexual abuse, and other violence. David Nakamura reports for the Washington Post.
Disciplinary charges against a top New York police official have been dismissed. Jeffrey Maddrey, the city’s second-highest officer, had faced disciplinary action after he “improperly influenced an arrest” of a retired officer. Maria Cramer reports for the New York Times.
U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate says he is considering joining forces with former President Trump’s campaign, or forming a third party. Nicole Shanahan said they were considering the two options to avoid the “risk” of a Kamala Harris presidency. Rachel Looker reports for BBC News.
GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS
The United States imposed sanctions against former Haitian President Michel Martelly for drug trafficking and money laundering, the Treasury Department said yesterday. The Department said Martelly’s actions have contributed to the unraveling of security in the country. David C. Adams reports for the New York Times.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang is set to meet with Russian leaders in Moscow today during a four-day trip to Russia and Belarus for talks on strategic bilateral ties and cooperation. Simone McCarthy reports for CNN.
Panama yesterday started returning undocumented migrants on U.S.-funded flights. The move comes less than two months after José Raúl Mulino was sworn in as Panama’s president, after he campaigned on a promise to “close” the Darién Gap. Vanessa Buschschlüter reports for BBC News.
The Taliban has barred the U.N. human rights special rapporteur entering Afghanistan, accusing the human rights watchdog of “spreading propaganda.” Reuters reports.
A former Philippine mayor accused of spying for China and having ties with criminal syndicates has fled the country, stirring anger. Joel Guinto reports for BBC News.
A Thai MP will be investigated after he hit a journalist last week who asked him a question about the new prime minister. BBC News reports.
MILITARY CONFLICT WITH THE HOUTHIS
Oil products tanker Sounion was attacked by two small boats and struck by three projectiles in the Red Sea off Yemen today, the U.K. maritime agency UKMTO said. No injuries were reported. Separately, British security firm Ambrey reported another incident in the same area, saying the “vessel was engaged by small arms fire.” Reuters reports.