The Times of Israel is liveblogging Saturday’s events as they unfold.
Hamas leader says he’s prepared for ‘war of martyrdom’ if ‘honorable deal’ not offered — NYT
Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the latest commander of Hamas’s military wing, is said to have told counterparts in recent weeks that he will either achieve an “honorable deal” to permanently end the war in Gaza or the conflict will become “a war of liberation or a war of martyrdom,” The New York Times reports, citing an unnamed Mideast intelligence official.
The comment highlights the hardline stance of Hamas’s Gaza leaders, as mediators work to secure a ceasefire in the coming days.
Haddad has spent time with hostages in northern Gaza and is currently believed to be in Gaza City, NYT reports.
Syrian authorities evacuate citizens amid major forest fires
Syrian rescuers evacuated residential areas in Latakia province because of major forest fires, authorities say.
Fires have spread across large parts of Syria, particularly on the coast, for several days, with firefighters struggling to control them due to strong winds and a drought.
Abdulkafi Kayyal, director of the Directorate of Disasters and Emergencies in Latakia province, told the state SANA news agency that fires in the Qastal Maaf area had moved close to several villages, prompting the evacuations.
Syria’s civil defense warns residents of “the spread of rising smoke emissions to the northern section of the coastal mountains, the city of Hama, its countryside, and southern Idlib areas.”
“Our teams recorded losses in the orchards due to the widespread spread of the forest fire in several areas of the Latakia countryside,” the civil defense adds, calling on citizens to report anyone they suspect of starting fires.
With man-made climate change increasing the likelihood and intensity of droughts and wildfires worldwide, Syria has been battered by heatwaves, low rainfall and major forest fires.
Trump signs flagship US tax and spending bill into law
US President Donald Trump has signed his flagship tax and spending bill into law, capping a pomp-laden White House Independence Day ceremony.
“That’s a good one,” he says, as he signed the document with a Sharpie marker, flanked by scores of Republican lawmakers who had fallen into line to support the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Israel has received Hamas response on Gaza ceasefire proposal, Israeli media reports
Israel has received Palestinian group Hamas’ response on the Gaza ceasefire proposal with details currently being examined, Hebrew media reports, citing Israeli officials.
Islamic Jihad says supports Gaza ceasefire talks, demands ‘guarantees’
Palestinian Islamic Jihad says it supports plans for proximity talks on a truce with Israel in Gaza but demands “guarantees” that the process would lead to a permanent ceasefire.
“We presented (Hamas) a number of detailed points on the mechanism for putting in place the mediators’ proposal, and we want additional guarantees to assure us (that Israel) will not resume its aggression after (hostages) are freed,” the terror group says in a statement after Hamas indicated it was ready for talks.