Israel has suspended planned strikes on Iranian energy sites following reports that the United States and Iran may be close to reaching a deal to ease tensions. The decision comes after President Donald Trump announced a pause in military action pending renewed negotiations to de-escalate the conflict and restore cargo traffic through the Strait of Hormuz (AP). Israeli officials were reportedly kept in the dark when Trump called off the strikes, having been told by Qataris that Tehran had agreed to open the strait (timesofisrael.com).
The suspension of attacks follows growing concerns over the potential for further escalation. Trump had previously threatened to strike Iran "very hard," but now appears to be prioritizing diplomatic efforts. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is said to have urged the U.S. to hold off on attacks in exchange for peace talks (nationalpost.com). Meanwhile, Israel has expressed serious security concerns over a proposed disarmament deal with Hamas, warning that the plan could undermine its national security (latimes.com).
Israeli military strikes on Gaza continued, targeting military operatives in cities such as Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Deir el-Balah, with at least 13 casualties reported (bbc.co.uk). The strikes were reportedly aimed at disrupting Hamas operations, despite ongoing discussions about a potential disarmament agreement. Israeli officials have been in communication with the White House to voice their concerns over the Hamas deal, which they believe could pose a threat to regional stability (torontosun.com).
