Al-Monitor (Unofficial)

Trump to host Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders for peace talks on Friday, US official says By Steve Holland(Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump will host the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for peace talks at the White House on Friday, a U.S. official told Reuters.The official said it was possible that the framework for a peace agreement could be announced at Friday's meeting. The Washington Post was first to report on the talks.

Trump to host Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders for peace talks on Friday, US official says - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/trump-host-armenia-azerbaijan-leaders-peace-talks-friday-us-official-says

Russia protests to Israel over alleged attack on diplomatic vehicle (Reuters) -Russia lodged a formal protest to Israel following an alleged attack on a Russian diplomatic vehicle near the settlement of Givat Assaf near Jerusalem, according to a statement issued by the Russian foreign ministry.

Russia protests to Israel over alleged attack on diplomatic vehicle - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/russia-protests-israel-over-alleged-attack-diplomatic-vehicle

Trump declines to say if he supports or opposes potential Gaza takeover by Israel WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump declined to say whether he supported or opposed a potential military takeover of Gaza by Israel and said his administration's focus was on increasing food access to the Palestinian enclave under assault from Washington's ally."As far as the rest of it, I really can't say. That's going to be pretty much up to Israel," Trump told reporters on Tuesday.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met senior security officials on Tuesday, with media reporting he favored a complete military takeover of Gaza.

Trump declines to say if he supports or opposes potential Gaza takeover by Israel - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/trump-declines-say-if-he-supports-or-opposes-potential-gaza-takeover-israel

UN calls reports about possible expansion of Israeli Gaza operations 'deeply alarming' (Reuters) -The United Nations on Tuesday called reports about a possible decision to expand Israel's military operations throughout the Gaza Strip "deeply alarming" if true.U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca told a U.N. Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza that such a move "would risk catastrophic consequences ... and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza."International law is clear in the regard; Gaza is and must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state," he added.

UN calls reports about possible expansion of Israeli Gaza operations 'deeply alarming' - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/un-calls-reports-about-possible-expansion-israeli-gaza-operations-deeply-alarming

Lebanon plans to disarm Hezbollah by year end Lebanon's cabinet on Tuesday tasked the army with developing a plan to disarm Hezbollah by year end, an unprecedented step since civil war factions gave up their weapons decades ago.The thorny decision follows heavy US pressure and comes as part of implementing a November ceasefire that sought to end more than a year of hostilities between Israel and militant group Hezbollah including two months of all-out war.

Lebanon plans to disarm Hezbollah by year end - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/lebanon-plans-disarm-hezbollah-year-end

Death toll in Yemen migrant shipwreck tops 90 More than 90 people were killed when a migrant boat sank off Yemen's coast, Yemeni officials and a source at the International Organization for Migration told AFP Tuesday, updating earlier tolls.The boat carrying mostly Ethiopian migrants sank on Sunday as it headed towards Abyan governorate in southern Yemen, a frequent destination for boats smuggling African migrants hoping to reach the wealthy Gulf states.

Death toll in Yemen migrant shipwreck tops 90 - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/death-toll-yemen-migrant-shipwreck-tops-90

German hesitation on Gaza could encourage atrocities, Israeli academics say BERLIN (Reuters) -More than 100 Israeli academics have warned in a letter that a failure by Germany to put pressure on Israel could lead to new atrocities in Gaza."Further hesitation on Germany's part threatens to enable new atrocities - and undermines the lessons learnt from its own history," the academics wrote in the letter, addressed to senior Social Democrat (SPD) lawmakers Rolf Muetzenich and Adis Ahmetovic and seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

German hesitation on Gaza could encourage atrocities, Israeli academics say - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/german-hesitation-gaza-could-encourage-atrocities-israeli-academics-say

S.Africa urges more countries to stand up to Israel's 'genocidal activities' More countries must recognise a Palestinian state and stand up to Israel to stop its "genocidal activities", South Africa's Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told AFP in an interview Tuesday.Pretoria has been a leading critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, bringing a case before the UN's top court in December 2023 arguing that its war in the Palestinian territory amounted to genocide.As some of Israel's allies "are now also saying, no, this can't continue, it means that it is bringing us closer and closer to the Israel regime (stopping) the genocidal activities", Lamola said.

S.Africa urges more countries to stand up to Israel's 'genocidal activities' - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/safrica-urges-more-countries-stand-israels-genocidal-activities-0

UK couple held in Iran speak to relatives by phone: family - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/uk-couple-held-iran-speak-relatives-phone-family

'He must be saved!': Brother of emaciated Israeli hostage pleads for his release The brother of Israeli hostage Evyatar David called on the world to "come together" to secure his freedom following the publication of a video in which the emaciated captive was shown purportedly digging his own grave.David, 24, is one of 251 people taken captive by Hamas and its allies during their October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza.

'He must be saved!': Brother of emaciated Israeli hostage pleads for his release - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/he-must-be-saved-brother-emaciated-israeli-hostage-pleads-his-release

Hezbollah chief says missiles will fall on Israel if it resumes war on Lebanon BEIRUT (Reuters) -Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem threatened Israel directly for the first time in months in a televised speech on Tuesday, saying missiles would fall on it if it resumed a broad war on Lebanon. His comments came as Lebanon's cabinet met to discuss the fate of Hezbollah's arsenal, after Washington pressured Lebanese officials to commit to disarming the Iran-backed group and amid fears that Israel could intensify strikes if they fail to do so.

Hezbollah chief says missiles will fall on Israel if it resumes war on Lebanon - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/hezbollah-chief-says-missiles-will-fall-israel-if-it-resumes-war-lebanon

S.Africa urges more countries to stand up to Israel's 'genocidal activities' More countries must recognise a Palestinian state and stand up to Israel to stop its "genocidal activities", South Africa's Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told AFP in an interview Tuesday. Pretoria has been a leading critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, bringing a case before the UN's top court in December 2023 arguing that its war in the Palestinian territory amounted to genocide.As some of Israel's allies "are now also saying, no, this can't continue, it means that it is bringing us closer and closer to the Israel regime to stop the genocidal activities", Lamola said.

S.Africa urges more countries to stand up to Israel's 'genocidal activities' - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/safrica-urges-more-countries-stand-israels-genocidal-activities

Ali Larijani reappointed secretary of Iran's top security body DUBAI (Reuters) -Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has appointed Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to the supreme leader, as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Tuesday. The appointment takes place amid institutional changes following a 12-day air war with Israel in June, the Islamic Republic's most severe security challenge since a war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq in the 1980s.

Ali Larijani reappointed secretary of Iran's top security body - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/ali-larijani-reappointed-secretary-irans-top-security-body

UN experts call for GHF to be dismantled United Nations special rapporteurs called Tuesday for the Israel- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to be immediately dismantled, saying aid was being "exploited for covert military and geopolitical agendas".An exceptionally-large group of the UN-mandated experts voiced grave concerns over the GHF's operations.The private organisation began distributing food in Gaza Strip in May as Israel began easing a more than two-month aid blockade on the Palestinian territory that had exacerbated existing shortages.

UN experts call for GHF to be dismantled - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/un-experts-call-ghf-be-dismantled

Turkey sets up parliamentary commission to oversee PKK disarmament By Huseyin HayatseverANKARA (Reuters) -Turkey's parliament launched a commission on Tuesday to oversee the disarmament of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group following its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan's call for it to end its insurgency.Thirty PKK militants burned their weapons in a ceremony in northern Iraq last month, marking a symbolic first step towards ending a decades-long struggle with Turkey in which more than 40,000 people have been killed.

Turkey sets up parliamentary commission to oversee PKK disarmament - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/turkey-sets-parliamentary-commission-oversee-pkk-disarmament

Turkey names new army chief in unexpected reshuffle ANKARA — Turkey on Tuesday replaced Army Chief of Staff Metin Gurak before the end of his four year-term, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency.Gurak has been succeeded by Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, the current ground forces commander.Gurak, who was appointed as the country’s chief of staff in 2023, was retired due to staffing shortages, according to reports. He had been expected to remain in his position for several more years.

Turkey names new army chief in unexpected reshuffle - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/turkey-names-new-army-chief-unexpected-reshuffle

Unresolved property issues haunt stalled Cyprus peace process NICOSIA (Reuters) -Decades-old property disputes stemming from Cyprus's unresolved division are stirring tensions on the island, threatening to derail fragile progress in United Nations-led reconciliation attempts.Recent detentions on both sides over disputed property claims have exposed the enduring grievances of tens of thousands of internally displaced people."I'm very concerned. I fear the property issue will cause major problems in the coming months," outgoing U.N. envoy Colin Stewart said in an interview with Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen.

Unresolved property issues haunt stalled Cyprus peace process - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/unresolved-property-issues-haunt-stalled-cyprus-peace-process

Lebanon's cabinet meets to discuss Hezbollah's arms after US pressure - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/lebanons-cabinet-meets-discuss-hezbollahs-arms-after-us-pressure

Israeli cabinet may order complete Gaza takeover By Maayan Lubell and Nidal al-MughrabiJERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Israel's cabinet could authorise on Tuesday a complete military takeover of Gaza for the first time in two decades, media reported, despite international pressure for a ceasefire to ease appalling conditions in the besieged Palestinian territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leaning towards an expanded offensive and taking control of the entire enclave after 22 months of war against militant group Hamas, Israeli Channel 12 reported.

Israeli cabinet may order complete Gaza takeover - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/israeli-cabinet-may-order-complete-gaza-takeover

Israel poised to order new Gaza war plan Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared Tuesday to unveil an updated Gaza war plan designed to destroy Hamas and secure the release of dozens of hostages, with Israeli media reporting he would order the total occupation of the Palestinian territory.Netanyahu was expected to meet security chiefs in Jerusalem to issue new orders, even as Israel's diplomats convened a UN Security Council meeting in New York to highlight the plight of Israelis held in Gaza.

Israel poised to order new Gaza war plan - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/israel-poised-order-new-gaza-war-plan

Anti-drone system propels Greek plans for home-grown defence industry By Lefteris PapadimasATHENS (Reuters) -It took just minutes for a new Greek-made anti-drone system to show what it is capable of.On its first test run with a European Union patrol in the Red Sea a year ago, the Centauros system detected and swiftly brought down two aerial drones launched by Yemen's Houthis, who have been attacking merchant vessels in the busy shipping lane.

Anti-drone system propels Greek plans for home-grown defence industry - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/anti-drone-system-propels-greek-plans-home-grown-defence-industry

Saudi Aramco profit drops for 10th straight quarter Oil giant Saudi Aramco announced its 10th straight drop in quarterly profits on Tuesday as a slump in prices hit revenues, putting more pressure on the key driver of the Saudi economy.Second-quarter profits slid 22 percent year-on-year to 85 billion riyals ($22.67 billion), extending a decline that stretches back to late 2022."The decrease in revenue was mainly due to lower crude oil prices and lower refined and chemical products prices," Aramco said in its quarterly report.

Saudi Aramco profit drops for 10th straight quarter - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/saudi-aramco-profit-drops-10th-straight-quarter

Saudi Aramco profit drops 22 percent on lower prices Saudi Aramco's profit slid 22 percent in the second quarter to 85 billion riyals ($22.67 billion) as a slump in prices hit revenues, the oil giant said on Tuesday.Aramco, the world's biggest oil exporter and driver of the Saudi economy, has now seen profits decline for 10 straight quarters since record results in late 2022."The decrease in revenue was mainly due to lower crude oil prices and lower refined and chemical products prices," Aramco said in its quarterly report.

Saudi Aramco profit drops 22 percent on lower prices - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/saudi-aramco-profit-drops-22-percent-lower-prices

Israel to allow gradual and controlled entry of goods to Gaza through local merchants (Reuters) -Israel will allow gradual and controlled entry of goods to Gaza through local merchants, COGAT, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, said on Tuesday. "This aims to increase the volume of aid entering the Gaza Strip, while reducing reliance on aid collection by the U.N. and international organisations," the agency said.

Israel to allow gradual and controlled entry of goods to Gaza through local merchants - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/israel-allow-gradual-and-controlled-entry-goods-gaza-through-local-merchants

Gaza war deepens Israel's divides As it grinds on well into its twenty-second month, Israel's war in Gaza has set friends and families against one another and sharpened existing political and cultural divides.Hostage families and peace activists want Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to secure a ceasefire with Hamas and free the remaining captives abducted during the October 2023 Hamas attacks.Right-wing members of Netanyahu's cabinet, meanwhile, want to seize the moment to occupy and annex more Palestinian land, at the risk of sparking further international criticism.

Gaza war deepens Israel's divides - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/gaza-war-deepens-israels-divides

Canada airdrops aid into Gaza, says Israel violating international law By Kanishka Singh(Reuters) -Canada said on Monday it delivered humanitarian assistance through airdrops to Gaza, which has been under a devastating Israeli military assault for almost 22 months, with Ottawa again accusing Israel of violating international law."The (Canadian Armed Forces) employed a CC-130J Hercules aircraft to conduct an airdrop of critical humanitarian aid in support of Global Affairs Canada into the Gaza Strip. The air drop consisted of 21,600 pounds of aid," the Canadian government said in a statement.

Canada airdrops aid into Gaza, says Israel violating international law - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/canada-airdrops-aid-gaza-says-israel-violating-international-law

UK couple held in Iran moved to 'worst' prisons: son A British couple detained in Iran for seven months on espionage charges have been moved to separate prisons in and near Tehran, heightening fears for their welfare, their son told AFP on Monday.Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both 52 and who previously split their time between southeast England and Spain, were seized in Kerman, in central Iran, in early January while on a round-the-world motorbike trip.

UK couple held in Iran moved to 'worst' prisons: son - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/uk-couple-held-iran-moved-worst-prisons-son

Israel's Netanyahu to convene cabinet on Gaza war goals JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he would convene his security cabinet this week to discuss how to instruct the military to meet his war goals in Gaza."We must continue to stand together and fight together to achieve all our war objectives: the defeat of the enemy, the release of our hostages, and the assurance that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel," Netanyahu said at the outset of a regular cabinet meeting.

Israel's Netanyahu to convene cabinet on Gaza war goals - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/israels-netanyahu-convene-cabinet-gaza-war-goals

Germany should consider Israel sanctions, senior lawmaker says after trip By Markus WacketBERLIN (Reuters) -A senior lawmaker in German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition on Monday said Berlin should consider sanctions on Israel including a partial suspension of weapons exports or the suspension of a European Union-wide political agreement. The call by Siemtje Moeller, the deputy leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) parliamentary faction, reflects a sharpening of rhetoric from Berlin against Israel which has yet to yield any major policy changes however.

Germany should consider Israel sanctions, senior lawmaker says after trip - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/germany-should-consider-israel-sanctions-senior-lawmaker-says-after-trip

Hundreds gather to mark five years since Beirut blast, but justice still elusive By Maya GebeilyBEIRUT (Reuters) -Hundreds of Lebanese gathered solemnly near Beirut's coast on Monday to commemorate a half-decade since the cataclysmic port blast of 2020, when more than 200 people were killed in one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history.Carrying Lebanese flags and portraits of some of the victims, many of those standing said they felt deeply disappointed that no one has been held to account for the devastating explosion.

Hundreds gather to mark five years since Beirut blast, but justice still elusive - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/08/hundreds-gather-mark-five-years-beirut-blast-justice-still-elusive