Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has announced that Israel will continue its military operations in southern Lebanon regardless of circumstances. He stated that the Israeli military is considering the possibility of conducting additional operations in Lebanon and indicated that the scope of attacks could expand depending on the situation along the border.

According to Katz, Israel’s immediate goal is to completely remove Hezbollah’s weapons from areas under Israeli control south of the Litani River. In the longer term, Israel’s main objective is to fully disarm Hezbollah. The statement reflects Israel’s ongoing military focus on countering Hezbollah’s presence near its northern border.

The announcement underscores Israel’s intent to maintain pressure on Hezbollah and signals potential escalation if border tensions persist.

A Russia-linked oil tanker suspected of being part of the country’s so-called “shadow fleet” arrived at a French port on Tuesday after being detained by the French Navy. According to AFP, the vessel, named Tagr, was seized on suspicion of using a false flag. This marks the fourth ship France has detained since September of the previous year. The French Navy, supported by the United Kingdom, intercepted the tanker in international waters on Sunday morning after its Russian captain refused to comply with orders.

The Kremlin condemned the seizure, describing it as an act of “international piracy.” The tanker reached the Bay of Douarnenez in the Brittany region of western France on Tuesday morning, AFP reported. Open-source database OpenSanctions.org indicates that the ship is suspected of transporting oil for Russia or Iran in violation of international sanctions.

The incident underscores ongoing Western efforts to enforce sanctions against Russia’s oil trade and highlights tensions over maritime enforcement in international waters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that strengthening air defense capabilities for both Ukraine and Europe is essential following Russia’s latest deadly drone and missile strikes. He urged the United States to provide additional assistance, according to AFP.

In a message shared on social media, Zelensky emphasized that Europe needs its own anti-ballistic air defense system to help end the ongoing war. He also described U.S. support in supplying missiles for the Patriot air defense system as critically important.

The appeal comes amid continuing Russian attacks, highlighting Ukraine’s dependence on Western defense aid to protect its skies and maintain security across the region.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported on Tuesday that Russia launched 656 drones and 73 missiles across Ukraine overnight, resulting in at least nine deaths. The attack included ballistic missiles, which are more difficult to intercept, according to the report cited by AFP.

The Ukrainian Air Force stated that its defense systems successfully destroyed 602 of the drones and 40 of the missiles. The large-scale overnight assault marks one of the most intense barrages reported recently, underscoring the ongoing escalation in aerial warfare between the two countries.

The report did not specify which regions were targeted or provide further details on the extent of the damage beyond the reported casualties.

Russia launched extensive drone and missile attacks early Tuesday on Kyiv, Dnipro, and several other Ukrainian cities, killing at least 10 people and injuring around 100, according to Ukrainian authorities. The strikes caused major explosions near residential buildings in Kyiv, where Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported four deaths and 58 injuries, including children. A 24‑story apartment building partially collapsed after being hit, and debris ignited fires in multiple locations, including near a kindergarten.

The attacks follow Moscow’s warning of continued strikes after a drone attack last week on a student dormitory in Russian‑controlled Luhansk killed 21 people, an incident Ukraine denied involvement in. Both sides have repeatedly denied targeting civilians, though Russia has continued to hit Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and key facilities, while Ukraine has intensified counterattacks on Russian oil and military sites.

Thousands of Kyiv residents took shelter overnight in metro stations as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming missiles. Rescue teams continued searching damaged buildings for survivors as explosions were still heard in parts of the capital after dawn.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated on Monday that maintaining UN peacekeepers in Lebanon remains essential even after the current mission’s mandate expires later this year. The statement follows a 2023 UN Security Council decision, influenced by the United States, to end the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on December 31, 2026. Guterres submitted three alternative proposals recommending the continued deployment of 2,000 to 5,500 UN personnel to monitor the 120-kilometer Blue Line and support the Lebanese Armed Forces.

According to AFP, Guterres emphasized that peacekeepers are vital for reducing tensions, strengthening dialogue, and assisting Lebanon’s military. The Blue Line, marking the de facto border between Lebanon and Israel, remains a flashpoint amid ongoing clashes involving Hezbollah. Lebanon’s government and its UN envoy expressed support for the UN presence, while the United States and Israel oppose extending the mission. China’s ambassador urged the Security Council to act responsibly to avoid a security vacuum.

UNIFIL currently includes about 7,500 peacekeepers from 50 countries stationed in southern Lebanon. Established in 1978, the mission has sought to maintain stability despite recurring hostilities.

US President Donald Trump sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him ungrateful and accusing him of escalating tensions with Lebanon. According to a report by Axios, Trump told Netanyahu during a heated phone call that without his support, the Israeli leader would have been imprisoned. The exchange occurred as Israel expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon and threatened airstrikes on Beirut.

The Axios report said Trump intervened to halt Israel’s planned strikes on Beirut, warning Netanyahu that such actions would isolate Israel globally and endanger ongoing US-Iran peace talks. US officials cited Trump’s concern over civilian casualties and his opposition to Israel’s strategy of destroying entire buildings to target a single Hezbollah commander. Following the call, an Israeli official confirmed that Israel had suspended plans for attacks in Beirut.

Trump later described the conversation as productive, announcing that Israeli troops would not advance toward Beirut. Netanyahu confirmed the call but framed Trump’s remarks as a caution rather than an obstruction, saying Israel would continue operations in southern Lebanon if Hezbollah attacks persisted.

A newly married Indian-origin pilot, Dave Fizi, aged 26, was killed in a helicopter crash in Georgia, United States, just hours after his wedding. The accident occurred as he and his wife, Jesni, were traveling to DeKalb-Peachtree Airport for their honeymoon. The helicopter, a Robinson R-66, crashed in a remote forest area of Dawson County before reaching its destination. Both Fizi and the pilot were killed, while Jesni survived with injuries and severe psychological trauma after being trapped in the wreckage for nearly six hours.

Fizi, a first officer with Delta Air Lines, had family roots in Kerala, India. He had married Jesni, a nurse, in Dawsonville in front of about 400 guests. According to his father, George Fizi, Dave had expressed concern about poor weather and low visibility before takeoff, but the pilot reportedly assured him it was safe to fly at higher altitude.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash. No official cause has been confirmed yet.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he convinced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from launching a large-scale attack on Lebanon. Trump disclosed on his Truth Social account that after his request, Netanyahu withdrew Israeli troops. The phone conversation between the two leaders was described as heated, with Trump reportedly telling Netanyahu that without his intervention, the Israeli leader would already be in prison.

According to reports cited by Axios, Trump sharply criticized Netanyahu during the call, accusing him of escalating tensions and damaging Israel’s global image. The exchange followed Iran’s threat to suspend peace talks with the United States over Israel’s attacks in Lebanon. Trump also claimed to have spoken with representatives of Hezbollah’s leadership, who agreed to stop firing at Israeli forces, while Israel also agreed to cease fire.

The developments came amid renewed hostilities between U.S. and Iranian forces that threatened a two-month ceasefire. Despite the truce, Israeli troops had advanced deeper into Lebanon than at any time in the past 26 years.

New Zealand has imposed travel bans on three Israeli settlers accused of promoting illegal settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced the decision on June 2, 2026, identifying the individuals as Itamar Yehuda Levi, Harel David Libi, and Eliav Libi.

In a statement, Peters said the three had actively contributed to expanding illegal settlements through violent and coercive means, posing threats to the peace and security of both Israelis and Palestinians. He emphasized that their actions were worsening tensions in the region and reaffirmed New Zealand’s support for a two-state solution for Palestinians and Israelis.

The decision aligns with New Zealand’s stated policy of supporting peace and stability in the Middle East through adherence to international law and opposition to settlement activities deemed illegal under global norms.

A Bangladeshi migrant worker from Hauli Union in Damurhuda upazila of Chuadanga district has died while working in Malaysia. The deceased was identified as Aynul Islam, a resident of Puratan Bastapur village under the Gobindpur post office. His family has appealed to the authorities to bring his body back to Bangladesh as soon as possible.

According to the report, Hauli Union Parishad panel chairman Md. Nizam Uddin sent an application on May 29 to the Labor Counselor at the Bangladesh Embassy in Malaysia, requesting necessary steps for the repatriation of the body. Family members have also urged the relevant government offices and the embassy to assist in returning the remains promptly.

The report highlights the family's appeal for swift action but does not specify the cause of death or the timeline for repatriation.

A group of nationalist Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday, raising the Israeli flag and singing the national anthem under heavy police protection. According to the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, which manages the site, at least 199 Israelis took part in the incursion. Some participants were also seen performing Jewish religious rituals inside the compound.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites, is governed by a long-standing international status quo agreement that allows only Muslim worship within the complex. The Waqf, under Jordanian supervision, oversees its administration and maintenance. Israeli authorities have faced repeated accusations of violating this arrangement, with near-daily incursions by extremists displaying flags and performing religious acts.

Omar Rajoub, media director of the Jerusalem Governorate, told Anadolu Agency that such actions are part of a systematic policy by Israel’s far-right government to alter the historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa. He warned that these provocations aim to Judaize Jerusalem and erase its religious identity, calling them clear violations of international law.

In Jerusalem, public discussion around Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest reflected the country’s growing sense of isolation. Several European nations boycotted the event over Israel’s military operations in Gaza, where more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians. Despite finishing second in the contest, Israel faces increasing rejection in academic and diplomatic circles, with scientists reporting unexplained denials of research funding and parents fearing social exclusion for their children abroad.

Inside Israel, many view global criticism as unfair, arguing that the world ignores Hamas’s deadly October 2023 attack that killed 1,200 people. Supporters cite strong U.S. ties, particularly under former President Donald Trump, as evidence that Israel is not truly alone. Yet, officials privately fear that shifting American politics and potential U.S.–Iran negotiations could weaken Israel’s strategic position. European nations remain major trade partners, but trust is eroding.

Former security chief Ami Ayalon warned that without granting Palestinians statehood, Israel risks losing peace with Egypt and Jordan. As both Israeli and Palestinian leaderships remain divided, the article concludes that Israel’s growing solitude may deepen unless a credible path toward peace emerges.

The United States and Iran have signaled they do not intend to return to full-scale conflict after the April 8 ceasefire, despite ongoing military strikes and counterstrikes. Mediation efforts by Pakistan, Qatar, and others have continued, but tensions remain high as U.S. forces operate within striking distance of Iran. Tehran is reportedly using the ceasefire to recover from earlier attacks and reorganize its forces, while Washington seeks to maintain pressure through military presence and deterrence.

Israel’s renewed bombing in Beirut has further complicated U.S. President Donald Trump’s options, limiting prospects for a broader agreement with Iran. Iran insists that any major deal must include an end to Israeli aggression, while Trump faces domestic opposition to offering concessions. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz since February 28 has severely disrupted global oil supply, causing economic strain across Gulf states and beyond.

Regional actors such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar have taken divergent stances, with mediation continuing but progress slow. The prolonged conflict has damaged Gulf stability and global economic confidence, leaving Trump politically cornered and Iran determined to hold its ground.

U.S. President Donald Trump has informed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of his plan to attend the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey this July, according to multiple sources cited by Middle East Eye. The announcement follows a period of mixed signals from Trump regarding the United States’ role in the alliance. In April, he had said he was seriously considering withdrawing from NATO, but during a May 20 phone call with Erdoğan, he expressed interest in joining the Ankara meeting.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed that Erdoğan and Trump have spoken several times in recent weeks, and Trump never indicated he would skip the summit. Reports also suggest Erdoğan hopes to meet Trump in Los Angeles on June 25 during a U.S.–Turkey World Cup match, though no final decision has been made. European officials view the Ankara summit as one of the most significant in decades, given uncertainty over U.S. defense commitments.

NATO leaders, including Secretary General Mark Rutte, are expected to emphasize the alliance’s importance to transatlantic security. Diplomats suggest allies may seek a gradual U.S. troop withdrawal roadmap if Trump insists on reducing America’s role.