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.

A video showing Israeli forces abusing detained activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla has sparked widespread global outrage. Despite the international condemnation, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has remained defiant, defending the actions of the Israeli forces. The footage, released by Ben-Gvir’s office, shows him waving the Israeli flag and mocking flotilla supporters as the national anthem plays, while activists are seen being violently restrained.

Governments around the world have criticized Israel for abducting the activists from international waters. However, Ben-Gvir justified the treatment of the detainees and criticized Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar for suggesting the video harmed Israel’s image. In a post on social media platform X, Ben-Gvir stated that Israel would no longer act weakly toward those supporting Hamas or terrorism.

Foreign Minister Sa’ar publicly rebuked Ben-Gvir, saying he does not represent Israel’s official stance. The incident has deepened divisions within Israel’s leadership and intensified international scrutiny of its actions at sea.

International criticism of Israel has intensified following the release of video footage showing the treatment of workers detained from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. The footage allegedly depicts workers with their hands tied and being mistreated, prompting strong reactions from several countries.

Germany’s ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, described the behavior as completely unacceptable in a post on social media platform X. Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot also expressed deep concern, noting that Belgian citizens were among those detained and calling the situation unacceptable.

The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, was recently intercepted by Israeli forces. The videos circulating online have raised alarm among governments and human rights organizations, leading to growing international condemnation of Israel’s actions.

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has taken a significant step toward early elections after a bill to dissolve the legislature passed a preliminary vote on Wednesday. Out of 120 members, 110 lawmakers supported the measure. The bill will now proceed to committee review and must pass three further readings before becoming law.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to favor holding the general election as scheduled at the end of October, despite the preliminary approval. He is expected to continue talks with ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) parties to delay the dissolution process. Haredi factions have recently shown willingness to back opposition-led dissolution bills, though their cooperation remains uncertain.

Several controversial legislative proposals remain under discussion, including plans to divide the attorney general’s powers, place the police internal affairs unit under the justice minister, and reform media oversight. These measures require Haredi support, which has been inconsistent. Additionally, the Knesset’s Foreign and Defense Committee is set to discuss bills on extending mandatory military service and exempting Haredi men from conscription, reportedly at Netanyahu’s direction.

Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has claimed that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has secretly applied for an arrest warrant against him. In response, he warned that he would wage a “war” against the Palestinian Authority. Smotrich also stated that he had ordered the evacuation of the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar in the occupied West Bank, describing it as a move to weaken the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the territory under limited self-rule agreements with Israel.

He accused the Palestinian Authority of supporting international legal actions against Israel, which he said had fueled current tensions. Palestinian official Wasel Abu Youssef called the eviction plan “very dangerous” and urged international intervention. The ICC prosecutor’s office declined to comment, citing confidentiality, and reiterated its commitment to neutrality in investigations and warrant processes.

The ICC previously issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes. Analysts noted that any new ICC warrant against an Israeli official could further strain relations between Israel and its allies, including the United States.

Israeli forces have intercepted at least ten ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza in international waters west of Cyprus, according to the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF). The group reported that communication was lost with several vessels and that many activists were detained. The flotilla was stopped about 250 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast, within the area Israel enforces as a maritime blockade zone. GSF described the incident as an act of “illegal piracy.” No immediate comment was issued by Israeli authorities.

Israel’s foreign ministry had earlier labeled the flotilla a “provocation” and alleged involvement of two violent Turkish groups. The same flotilla was detained near Crete last month, when 175 activists were arrested and later released under international pressure. The remaining vessels resumed their journey from Marmaris, Turkey, last Thursday with around 50 boats heading toward Gaza.

GSF participants said they sought to deliver emergency aid amid Gaza’s severe humanitarian crisis, despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seven months ago. The UN recently warned that restrictions on imports and fuel shortages are severely disrupting humanitarian operations in Gaza.

A new Israeli death penalty law has been criticized for being designed solely to target Palestinians. According to the report, the law does not apply to Israelis, even those convicted of terrorist acts or labeled as terrorists by Israel itself. The measure is seen as formalizing what are described as extrajudicial killings already carried out by Israeli forces across occupied territories.

The report states that injured Palestinians at attack sites are often denied medical treatment, and evidence has emerged of medical neglect toward Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Several human rights organizations have documented cases of torture and deaths occurring inside prisons. The law is viewed as a political tool that helps members of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, maintain power by appealing to public support for harsh measures against Palestinians.

The legislation has reportedly intensified fear among Palestinian families in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, underscoring the extent to which Israel is prepared to punish Palestinians, according to the report.

A scheduled court hearing in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption case was again canceled, according to a report by Israel’s Channel 12. The hearing was postponed following an emergency defense request citing confidential security and political reasons. Netanyahu’s lawyer informed the court that he could not attend the session, and details of the reasons were submitted in a sealed envelope to the court and prosecution.

The corruption case, launched in 2020, involves allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Netanyahu first testified in December 2024, but his cross-examination has been repeatedly delayed. Throughout 2025 and into the current period, his legal team has successfully sought postponements, citing wartime conditions, diplomatic obligations, and security concerns.

Critics have accused Netanyahu of exploiting regional geopolitical tensions to delay the judicial process, though the court has not commented on these claims.

Several US cargo planes carrying ammunition from a German military base landed in Tel Aviv within the past 24 hours, according to Israel’s Channel 13. The report said the deliveries are part of Israel’s preparations for a possible renewed conflict with Iran. Israel’s Defense Ministry confirmed that multiple aircraft carrying military equipment from the United States and Germany had arrived to strengthen the army’s operational readiness.

At the White House, former US President Donald Trump told reporters that he faced no pressure and predicted a complete victory. He accused Iranian leaders of changing their stance after nearing an agreement, citing the Iranian military’s refusal to meet US demands. Trump warned that the ceasefire was now at risk of collapse, describing it as being on “life support.”

In response, Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari wrote on X that Iran would not design any plan to please Trump, emphasizing that negotiations must respect Iran’s rights. He added that Trump’s dissatisfaction would be a positive sign for Iran.

Israeli media reported that the country’s military has been placed on high alert amid fears of renewed conflict with Iran. According to state broadcaster Kan, Israel is prepared to join a potential US-led attack targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure if Washington decides to strike. The report added that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone conversation lasting over half an hour on Sunday, during which possible escalation with Iran was discussed.

Channel 12 reported that the discussion took place under the shadow of renewed war preparations with Iran, and that Israel’s defense forces have already been placed on heightened readiness. Tel Aviv expects to be informed in advance if the United States decides to proceed with any attack, though the timing remains uncertain.

The report also noted that Trump is facing pressure from several parties, including China, to seek a diplomatic resolution rather than entering another conflict with Iran.