Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to intensify attacks against Hezbollah, declaring that Israel will completely eliminate the group. His statement came despite an agreement between Lebanese and Israeli officials to extend the existing ceasefire, signaling a possible escalation in tensions.

According to Al Jazeera correspondent Obaida Hito reporting from southern Lebanon, the current ceasefire appears to exist only on paper, suggesting that hostilities have not meaningfully subsided. The situation highlights the fragile nature of the truce and the ongoing volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border.

The announcement underscores the uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire’s durability and raises concerns about renewed conflict in the region if military operations continue.

Seven months after a ceasefire was brokered to halt Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, the agreement has effectively become a cover for continued attacks. According to Gaza’s health ministry, Israeli forces have killed at least 880 Palestinians since the truce, bringing the total death toll to 72,797. Analysts and human rights officials say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is deliberately stalling the peace process ahead of Israel’s expected September elections to maintain support from his right-wing coalition.

Mai El-Sheikh of the UN Human Rights Office in Palestine accused Israel of using the ceasefire as a pretext for ongoing war crimes and warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis caused by restrictions on food and medicine. The Gaza Rights Center documented at least 12 forced evacuations in May before Israeli forces destroyed residential blocks in central Gaza camps. Rights groups say these demolitions and phone warnings are part of a broader policy of forced displacement.

The international mechanism enforcing the ceasefire, led by the US-based Board of Peace, has faltered due to internal divisions. Observers warn that without a reconstruction plan, Gaza’s devastation will persist indefinitely.

On Wednesday, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing Israeli security officers abusing Sumud flotilla activists who were attempting to break Israel’s siege of Gaza. In the footage, activists are seen kneeling with their hands tied while Ben-Gvir taunts them, and a female activist is violently forced to the ground. The incident drew immediate condemnation from several countries, including Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, which summoned Israeli ambassadors in protest.

The video follows a series of reports and investigations documenting systemic abuse by Israeli forces against Palestinians and foreign nationals. Human rights group B’Tselem’s August 2024 report described the mistreatment of detainees as state policy, while leaked videos and UN findings have detailed sexual violence and other abuses. The article argues that such acts reflect a broader culture of impunity, reinforced by political and media figures who have celebrated or justified violence.

The backlash to Ben-Gvir’s video, including criticism from Israeli figures such as Benny Gantz and Gideon Saar, signals growing discomfort even within Israel’s establishment. The incident may further strengthen international legal and diplomatic pressures, including South Africa’s ongoing genocide case at The Hague.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed deep concern to US President Donald Trump regarding a possible new agreement between Iran and the United States. According to Israel’s state broadcaster Kan, Netanyahu directly conveyed his worries to the Trump administration, particularly about clauses related to Lebanon and the postponement of discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. The draft memorandum reportedly includes a proposal to extend a 60-day ceasefire.

A key provision of the proposed deal seeks a permanent end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, while maintaining Israel’s right to respond if Hezbollah launches any attacks or provocations. However, the delay in addressing Iran’s nuclear activities has emerged as the most contentious issue for Israel.

Netanyahu fears that deferring nuclear discussions could complicate Middle East security. Israeli sources said he has cautioned Trump that failing to prioritize Iran’s nuclear issue immediately may heighten regional instability.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly no longer as strong as before, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The report indicates that Israel’s overall influence on Trump has diminished, particularly in the context of recent diplomatic developments involving Washington and Tehran.

Haaretz’s military and security editor noted that the potential terms of a forthcoming agreement between the United States and Iran are not favorable for Israel. Following reports that Washington and Tehran are nearing a diplomatic settlement, concern has grown among Israeli political and security circles about the implications for Israel’s strategic interests.

The report, citing Middle East Eye as a source, underscores a shift in the dynamics of U.S.-Israel relations as regional diplomacy involving Iran progresses.

Former head of Israel’s National Security Council Giora Eiland has stated that Iran has emerged as the clear winner in its war against the United States and Israel. Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12, Eiland said that although Iran’s victory may have been by a narrow margin, it was nonetheless decisive. He described both Washington and Tel Aviv as now facing a difficult strategic situation.

Eiland explained that Iran’s leadership has remained intact throughout the conflict and demonstrated resilience, which has strengthened Tehran’s position in negotiations with the United States and its allies. He added that Washington appears to be caught in a clear dilemma, as current diplomatic efforts are focusing more on ending the war rather than addressing Iran’s nuclear program.

According to Eiland, this shift in focus represents a challenging scenario for both the United States and Israel, as it underscores Iran’s growing leverage in regional and diplomatic affairs.

Former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of humiliating Israel. Speaking on Channel 12, Lieberman criticized Netanyahu’s approach to halting the war with Iran and warned that any agreement allowing Iran’s current leadership to remain in power would be disastrous for Israel.

He also objected to reported terms of a potential deal, including the release of frozen Iranian assets and the possible lifting of restrictions on Iran’s oil and gas exports. Lieberman further claimed that former U.S. President Donald Trump humiliated Israel with Netanyahu’s blessing.

The remarks, reported by Middle East Eye and aired on Israeli television, highlight internal divisions within Israel’s political leadership over how to handle Iran and its regional influence.

In late February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of joint attacks on Iran, predicting the Islamic Republic’s collapse. However, within weeks, the situation reversed. Israeli defense officials said the Trump administration sidelined Israel from U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks, leaving it dependent on regional contacts and intelligence sources for information. The shift marked a sharp decline in Israel’s influence over wartime decisions.

Netanyahu, who had long portrayed himself as uniquely capable of managing Trump, now faces political and strategic fallout. His initial war goals—toppling Iran’s regime, destroying its nuclear program, and eliminating its missile capabilities—remain unfulfilled. Instead, Washington proposed a 20-year moratorium on Iran’s nuclear activities, excluding Israel from key negotiations. U.S. officials also pressured Israel to halt further strikes after disagreements over bombing Iranian energy sites.

The episode has left Israel appearing more as a subordinate than an equal ally. With elections approaching, Netanyahu confronts domestic frustration over unmet war objectives and diminished autonomy in dealing with Washington.

Organizers of the 'Global Sumud Flotilla' have accused Israeli forces of torturing and sexually assaulting detained activists after intercepting their aid mission to Gaza. The flotilla, comprising 50 ships and 430 volunteers, was stopped in international waters last Tuesday. At least 15 participants alleged sexual abuse, and several were hospitalized. Israel’s prison authority denied the allegations, calling them false and baseless, while Reuters said it could not independently verify the claims.

Germany confirmed that some of its citizens were injured and described the allegations as serious. Italy’s prosecutors have opened an investigation into possible crimes including abduction and sexual assault. French and German participants reported severe injuries, and some were hospitalized in Turkey. A video showing Israel’s national security minister mocking detainees has intensified international outrage and pressure on Israeli authorities to explain their treatment of prisoners.

Italy stated that European Union members are discussing potential sanctions against Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Several European activists expelled from Israel are expected to return home via Turkey by Friday.

Israel has released two South Korean human rights activists who were detained while traveling on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. The South Korean presidential office in Seoul confirmed the release, identifying the activists as Kim Ah-hyun and Jonathan Victor Lee. They were detained by Israeli forces from a vessel in international waters.

According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Israel did not send the two citizens to a detention center and instead repatriated them immediately. Kang added that the government of Lee Jae-myung expressed strong displeasure over the detention of its nationals during the vessel seizure but appreciated Israel’s prompt decision to release them.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as its source, noted that the South Korean government welcomed the release and valued Israel’s cooperation in resolving the matter swiftly.

European Council President António Costa has expressed strong anger and astonishment over the behavior of Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir toward detained members of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. In a post on social media platform X, Costa said he was shocked by the treatment of the flotilla participants.

Costa described the minister’s actions as completely unacceptable and called for the immediate release of those detained. His remarks came after reports that the flotilla, carrying humanitarian assistance toward Gaza, had been intercepted and its members detained by Israeli authorities.

The statement underscores growing diplomatic concern in Europe regarding Israel’s handling of humanitarian missions to Gaza, as reflected in Costa’s public condemnation and demand for swift action.

A diplomatic crisis has erupted after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video showing armed Israeli guards forcing detained activists from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla to kneel with their hands tied. Governments across the world condemned the treatment as a violation of human dignity and summoned Israeli diplomats for formal protests.

Australia, Italy, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Canada, and Belgium have all summoned Israeli ambassadors. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong denounced the conduct as degrading, while Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called the video unacceptable and demanded an apology. France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the ambassador was summoned to express outrage and seek clarification. The Netherlands’ leaders described the incident as tragic and unacceptable, and New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters cited deep concern.

Other countries including Spain, Poland, Germany, Greece, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Korea, the United States, Qatar, and Turkey also issued strong condemnations, according to Al Jazeera.

US Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley have strongly condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for his treatment of activists detained from a Gaza-bound flotilla. In posts on social media platform X, the senators described Ben-Gvir’s behavior toward the detainees as “disgusting and inhumane,” calling it a reflection of Israel’s broader conduct toward Palestinians.

Senator Merkley said that images of Gaza’s destruction and desperate families explain why people are motivated to protest. Van Hollen questioned how Ben-Gvir might treat detainees behind closed doors if he could act this way in front of cameras. He labeled the minister’s actions “outrageous” and argued that the United States should have imposed sanctions on him long ago.

Both Democratic senators have long advocated for Palestinian rights and previously visited the Rafah border to observe conditions under Israel’s blockade of Gaza, according to the report sourced from Al Jazeera.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on social media mocking activists detained from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla known as the Global Sumud Flotilla. The video showed the detained social workers with their hands tied and kneeling while Israel’s national anthem played over loudspeakers. The caption of the post read, “Welcome to Israel.”

According to the report, the activists were captured by Israeli forces from international waters before being featured in the video. The footage and its publication have drawn attention due to the minister’s far-right political stance and the circumstances of the activists’ detention. The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding humanitarian efforts directed toward Gaza and the Israeli government’s handling of such missions, though no official responses or further developments were mentioned in the report.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he might run for Israel’s next prime minister after completing his current duties in the United States. He made the remark on May 20, 2026, while speaking to reporters before the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s commencement ceremony. Trump claimed he was extremely popular in Israel, citing a poll showing his popularity at 99 percent, though he did not specify the source of the survey. USA Today reported that the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on his remarks.

Benjamin Netanyahu is currently serving as Israel’s prime minister, having held the position across multiple terms since 1996. Trump has long been a strong supporter of Netanyahu, particularly amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, where the United States and Israel have acted as allies. When asked about Netanyahu, Trump described him as a “wonderful person” and a “wartime prime minister” who, in his view, is not properly appreciated in Israel.

Trump’s comments followed earlier statements about potential U.S. actions against Iran and the possibility of a diplomatic agreement to end hostilities.