The Times of Israel is liveblogging Wednesday’s events as they happen.
Iran readied to mine Iran’s Strait of Hormuz after Israel began strikes — US sources
WASHINGTON — The Iranian military loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, a move that intensified concerns in Washington that Tehran was gearing up to blockade the Strait of Hormuz following Israel’s strikes on sites across Iran, according to two US officials.
The previously unreported preparations, which were detected by US intelligence, occurred some time after Israel launched its initial missile attack against Iran on June 13, says the officials, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters.
The loading of the mines — which have not been deployed in the strait — suggests that Tehran may have been serious about closing one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, a move that would have escalated an already-spiraling conflict and severely hobbled global commerce.
About one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz and a blockage would likely have spiked world energy prices.
Global benchmark oil prices have instead fallen more than 10% since the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, driven in part by relief that the conflict did not trigger significant disruptions in the oil trade.
Reuters was not able to determine precisely when during the Israel-Iran air war Tehran loaded the mines, which — if deployed — would have effectively stopped ships from moving through the key thoroughfare.
It is also unclear if the mines have since been unloaded.
The sources do not disclose how the United States determined that the mines had been put on the Iranian vessels, but such intelligence is typically gathered through satellite imagery, clandestine human sources or a combination of both methods.
Asked for comment about Iran’s preparations, a White House official says: “Thanks to the President’s brilliant execution of Operation Midnight Hammer, successful campaign against the Houthis, and maximum pressure campaign, the Strait of Hormuz remains open, freedom of navigation has been restored, and Iran has been significantly weakened.”
The Pentagon doesn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The Iranian mission at the United Nations also doesn’t respond to requests for comment.
Trump says Israel ‘agreed to necessary conditions to finalize’ 60-day Gaza ceasefire
US President Donald Trump announces that “Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize” a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza.
During that two-month truce, “We will work with all parties to end the war,” Trump says in a Truth Social post, summarizing the development that came out of meetings top US officials held today in Washington with visiting Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.
Trump says Qatar and Egypt will deliver the final proposal to Hamas.
“I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this deal because it will not get better — it will only get worse,” Trump writes.
Trump appears to be referring to a proposal for a temporary ceasefire that has been discussed the past several months. Those talks have been at an impasse, largely over the terms for what happens at the end of that truce, with Israel demanding that it maintain the ability to resume fighting, while Hamas seeks for the temporary truce to become permanent.
In declaring that he will “work to end the war,” Trump appears to be trying to appease both sides, mentioning an end to the war without speaking definitively.
Arab mediators have been seeking to reconvene Israeli and Hamas negotiators for proximity talks in Cairo in order to close remaining gaps.
Freed hostage Omer Wenkert says remaining captives are ‘starving, humiliated, miserable’
Thousands of people gather in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square for the weekly “Singing for Their Return” event, praying and singing for the return of the 50 hostages, with speakers from bereaved families, wives of reservists and soldiers.
Released hostage Omer Wenkert shares details from his 505 days of captivity in Gaza, including meeting former hostage Liam Or in the Hamas tunnels during those first days, and who told Wenkert not to lose hope. Or was released in the November 2023 ceasefire.
Wenkert also spent eight months in captivity with Tal Shoham, who was released with him, leaving behind Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David, who are still hostages.
“They are still living an ongoing nightmare every single moment, experiencing endless and intensifying hell, starving, humiliated, miserable, and crying out to return to freedom,” says Wenkert. “I stand here today — and I am their voice! I cry out their pain and their pleas to come home!”
Tuval Rosenberg, a reservist tank commander, speaks at the Hostages Square event, describing his personal connections to six hostages, both living and dead.
He describes meeting Matan Angrest in basic training, now held hostage and meeting Daniel Perez in the commander’s course. Perez was killed on October 7, and his body was taken captive. Rosenberg says that he, Angrest and Perez served under Omer Neutra, another soldier killed and taken hostage, along with Oz Daniel and Itay Chen, also killed and taken hostage. Hostage Nimrod Cohen was under Rosenberg’s command during training.
“He’s known to us as a kidnapped soldier,” says Rosenberg of Cohen, “but he is much more than that. He is a world in and of himself.”
Rabbi Doron Perez, father of Daniel Perez, also speaks, praying that his son will merit a dignified burial in the land of Israel, and that the hostages return home.
After rocket fire from Gaza, IDF issues evacuation order for parts of Khan Younis
The military’s Arabic spokesperson has issued an evacuation warning for residents in parts of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip ahead of expected IDF operations in the area.
The announcement comes after two rockets were fired from Gaza earlier today toward Israeli territory near the southern Gaza Strip, both of which were intercepted by the Air Force.
The statement warns that the IDF is operating with “very strong force to destroy the terrorist organizations in the area,” and will strike “any location used for launching rockets.” Residents are urged to evacuate immediately northward to known shelters in Deir al-Balah and not to return to the designated combat zones.
#عاجل ‼️ الى جميع المتواجدين في منطقة خان يونس في أحياء الجلاء، مدينة حمد، النصر والقرارة 6 في بلوكات 36, 40, 89
⭕️جيش الدفاع يعمل بقوة شديدة جداً لتدمير المنظمات الإرهابية في المنطقة وسيهاجم كل منطقة يتم استخدامها لاطلاق قذائف صاروخية
⭕️من أجل أمنكم، أخلوا فوراً شمالاً الى… pic.twitter.com/rAYYs7VNLK— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) July 1, 2025