Save the Children has confirmed that at least 21,000 children have died in Gaza during 1,000 days of war, according to a report cited by Turkey-based TRT World on Thursday. The organization said hundreds of thousands more children have been displaced and deprived of education. Despite losing homes, schools, and a sense of safety, many children continue to hope for peace.

Ahmad Alhendawi, the organization’s regional director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, stated that the world has failed to protect one million children in Gaza over the past 1,000 days by not intervening to stop killings and injuries. Save the Children reported that about 80 percent of Gaza’s children—over 800,000—are displaced, and 625,000 school-age children have been out of formal education for three years.

The group called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, accountability for crimes against children, and a halt to arms supplies to Israel. It noted that despite a ceasefire declared in October 2025, Israeli attacks have continued, leaving more than 73,000 people dead and Gaza largely in ruins.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is traveling to Tehran to attend the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Al Jazeera. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andarabi told reporters that Sharif will visit Iran and Turkey from July 3 to 5. The funeral ceremonies for Khamenei will begin in Tehran on July 4 and conclude with his burial in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9.

Ayatollah Khamenei, aged 86, served as Iran’s Supreme Leader for 36 years and was widely known as a strong critic of the United States. He was reported to have been killed on February 28, during the first day of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has called for a large turnout at the funeral to honor Khamenei’s legacy.

The visit by Pakistan’s prime minister underscores the close diplomatic ties between Islamabad and Tehran, as regional leaders prepare to pay their respects during the multi-day funeral events.

Following indirect talks between the United States and Iran in Doha, Washington has delivered a clear message to Tehran regarding the Hormuz Strait. According to a report by Saudi-based Al Arabiya citing sources, the US stated it would not accept any change to the current status quo in the strategic waterway. Washington reportedly told Tehran that any attempt to alter the existing situation would be considered a violation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries. The US also views Iran’s conduct in the strait as the first test of its commitment to implementing the agreement.

Sources added that the US is closely monitoring Iran’s activities in the area and has linked future progress on releasing Iran’s frozen funds to Tehran’s compliance with the MoU. Earlier, Iran warned that any US interference in the Hormuz Strait would be met with a “swift and severe” response. Iranian state media reported that its military headquarters accused US aircraft deployments of endangering regional security.

Mediators indicated that the next round of indirect US-Iran talks will take place after the funeral of Iran’s supreme leader. Despite progress in reopening the strait and reducing tensions, several key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, remain unresolved.

Iran’s military headquarters has issued a strong warning to the United States, declaring that the Strait of Hormuz is not a playground for Washington and asserting it as an undisputed part of the Islamic Republic’s sovereignty. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that any U.S. interference in the area would be met with a swift and decisive military response.

According to the statement, all commercial vessels must use Iran-designated maritime routes for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, or face consequences. Citing Fars News Agency, the statement described the security and stability of this vital waterway as a “red line” for Iran’s armed forces. The warning follows heightened tensions after the United States and Israel reportedly began military actions against Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to block the strait.

The declaration underscores Iran’s determination to maintain control over the strategic passage, signaling potential risks for international shipping and regional stability if tensions persist.

Major General Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Command, has warned the United States, Israel, and their allies against making any wrong decisions regarding Iran. Speaking on July 2, 2026, he said that any miscalculation about Iran would lead to devastating consequences. His remarks came in a message issued on the occasion of the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Abdollahi credited Khamenei’s leadership for strengthening Iran’s defense capabilities through advancements in missile and drone technology, scientific progress, and national security. He claimed that despite possessing modern weapons, Iran’s enemies had suffered heavy losses and humiliation in past confrontations. He also urged citizens to attend Khamenei’s funeral in large numbers to demonstrate national unity.

The commander affirmed that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to defend the country’s independence, security, and territorial integrity, and he expressed full allegiance to the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

The United States is reducing its military presence in Saudi Arabia as tensions between Washington and Riyadh escalate over the ongoing war with Iran. Reports from multiple media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and The Times of Israel, indicate that Saudi Arabia’s refusal to allow the use of its bases and airspace for a planned US operation, codenamed 'Project Freedom', has strained bilateral relations. The operation aimed to weaken Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, but was canceled after Saudi denial.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House reacted angrily to Riyadh’s stance, threatening to suspend the supply of missile interceptors that Saudi forces use against Iranian drones and missiles. US officials confirmed that Washington is now considering scaling back its military footprint in the kingdom. The diplomatic chill was further underscored when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio skipped Saudi Arabia during a Gulf tour, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declined to attend the G7 summit in France.

The reports suggest that Saudi Arabia’s frustration stems from its limited influence over US policy despite close ties, and from fears that prolonged conflict with Iran could destabilize the region and global energy markets.

At least eight Buddhist monks were killed and 14 others injured when a pickup truck struck a group of pilgrims in northeastern Thailand on Thursday. The accident occurred in Mukdahan province, about 600 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, as 35 monks were walking toward Ubon Ratchathani province on a 260-kilometer pilgrimage. Five monks died at the scene, and three more succumbed to injuries in hospital, according to Mukdahan governor Warayan Bunnarath.

Security footage released by the Ruam Jai Mukdahan Rescue Association showed the monks walking in a line along the roadside when the pickup lost control and veered into them. Police said the vehicle was being driven by an 11-year-old boy, who has been taken into custody. Child protection officials are expected to question him once they arrive.

Authorities said the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Some monks reported seeing the truck swerving before it left the road and hit them.

A group of Israeli settlers forcibly entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem’s Old City under heavy police protection, according to a report published on July 2, 2026. The Palestinian state news agency Wafa said the settlers performed Talmudic religious rituals inside the mosque compound during the incursion.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, located on a hilltop in East Jerusalem, was captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed, a move not recognized by most of the international community. The site holds deep religious significance for Muslims worldwide as Islam’s third holiest site, encompassing both the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the seventh-century Dome of the Rock, from where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

The report cited Al Jazeera as its source but did not provide details about any immediate response or consequences following the settlers’ entry.

India will send a high-level delegation to attend the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Al Jazeera. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced that Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Pavitra Margerita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain will travel to Iran on Friday to represent India at the ceremony.

A statement from the ministry said the high-level representation underscores the long-standing civilizational ties and people-to-people connections between India and Iran. It also reflects the strong foundation of political and economic relations between the two countries.

Khamenei’s funeral and mourning ceremonies will begin on Saturday in Tehran and conclude on July 9 in Mashhad, his hometown, where he will be buried.

Gaza has reached 1,000 days since the start of the war, with violence continuing despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 10. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 1,053 Palestinians have been killed and more than 3,400 injured since the ceasefire began, including over 350 women and children. More than two million Palestinians remain displaced, living amid widespread destruction.

Under the ceasefire, Israeli forces initially controlled over half of Gaza but have since expanded their control, aiming to hold 70 percent of the territory. Movement in and out of Gaza remains severely restricted, and post-war reconstruction and disarmament efforts have stalled. The International Committee of the Red Cross said much more needs to be done to restore even a semblance of normal life.

The United Nations has warned that Israel’s territorial expansion in Gaza is increasing deadly risks for civilians, especially in areas without clear boundaries. Since October 7, 2023, a total of 73,066 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Iran has tightened security across the country ahead of the funeral and burial of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. The Iranian military has been placed on high alert to ensure safety during the ceremonies.

Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia stated that additional forces have been deployed to protect senior officials and religious and political figures arriving from various countries to attend the funeral. He added that Iran’s ground, naval, and air forces have increased their presence along border areas to maintain control over the security situation.

According to Akraminia, Iran’s air defense units are maintaining continuous surveillance over the country’s airspace. Khamenei was killed on February 28 in the joint attack, and Iran is now preparing for his funeral and burial four months after his death.

More than 400 militants were killed in a military operation against armed groups in Burkina Faso, according to an army statement released on June 30. The clashes occurred in the Gayéri area of the Sirba region and in Solhan and Sebba of the Liptako region after coordinated attacks on several military positions last Tuesday. The army said the assaults were repelled with support from the air force.

The statement claimed that the attackers were armed groups supported by France, noting that the government had earlier announced the severance of diplomatic ties with France. During the counteroffensive, the army reported destroying over 250 motorcycles and seizing 353 weapons of various calibers, along with ammunition and communication equipment. Three soldiers were also killed in the operation.

The army added that operations are continuing to locate those who fled and to ensure the safety of civilians in the affected regions.

Police in South Africa have arrested more than 900 people during anti-immigrant protests held across the country. The arrests were confirmed on Wednesday following demonstrations on Tuesday, most of which remained peaceful. However, several areas experienced violence, looting, and gunfire. National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili said 120 marches took place nationwide, with police intervening in 12 of them to restore order.

Authorities reported that those detained face charges including illegal residence, incitement of violence, harboring undocumented migrants, and robbery. In Johannesburg’s Alexandra township, one person was killed during looting at small foreign-owned shops known locally as “spaza shops.” Additional police forces were deployed in five of the country’s nine provinces, and soldiers were stationed in Johannesburg’s Hillbrow area, where two people were injured in shootings.

Police also launched an investigation into the death of a foreign national in Durban, who reportedly jumped from a building before the protests began. The demonstrations were organized to mark a deadline set by an anti-immigrant movement demanding that undocumented migrants leave South Africa, amid rising anti-immigrant tensions in recent months.

Since the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran began in late February, the global energy sector has faced severe disruption. Oil prices have fluctuated sharply, and the Strait of Hormuz—through which about one-fifth of global oil and LNG passes—has come under tight Iranian control, forcing suppliers to seek alternative routes. Governments from Tokyo to London have taken emergency measures to shield citizens from rising energy costs. Although peace talks between Washington and Tehran have raised hopes for stability, experts believe the conflict has permanently altered the global energy landscape.

Analysts cited by Al Jazeera note that new pipelines and security systems are being planned, while shipping through the Strait remains risky despite a June memorandum pledging safer passage. Attacks on commercial vessels have deepened fears, reducing traffic and pushing exporters to rely more on land pipelines in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iraq. The war has also accelerated a global shift toward renewable energy, with countries investing more in wind, solar, and hydro power.

Experts say China, the United States, and Qatar stand to benefit most. China dominates renewable equipment manufacturing, while the US and Qatar are strengthening their positions as reliable LNG suppliers.

A new report by the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), released on Wednesday, states that combined military casualties from both sides in the Russia-Ukraine war have surpassed two million. According to the study, since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russian forces have suffered around 1.4 million total casualties, including between 400,000 and 450,000 soldiers killed. The total figure includes those killed, wounded, and missing.

The report further estimates that Ukrainian military casualties range between 525,000 and 625,000, with 125,000 to 150,000 soldiers killed. CSIS notes that the number of Russian soldiers killed in this conflict is more than four times the total number of US soldiers killed in all wars since World War II.

The study also highlights that during the first half of the current year, the casualty ratio between Russian and Ukrainian forces reached approximately 8 to 1, underscoring the heavy toll of the ongoing conflict.