Gaza truce fraying: Israel kills police chief as Netanyahu rejects roadmap

Israeli strike kills Gaza City police chief as lull breaks Two Palestinians died in Gaza on Thursday, including the head of the Gaza City police force, Colonel Jamal Abu Kamil, in the first reported fatalities in more than a week. The strikes came despite Israel's military scaling back targeted attacks under U.S. pressure after an October ceasefire. 12

Netanyahu rejects Gaza roadmap over Hamas disarmament terms The Israeli PM said the IDF "will not make any withdrawal until Hamas disarms," clashing with a US-backed roadmap that would store rather than destroy weapons and rely on Turkish and Qatari oversight. A JPPI poll found 58% of Israelis doubt the Hamas disarmament agreement will be fulfilled. 3

Kushner and Board of Peace officials to visit Israel and Egypt The Trump adviser and Board of Peace officials are expected in the region as the US tries to salvage its Gaza disarmament plan after Netanyahu's public rejection. 4

IDF observers warn Hamas probes Gaza Yellow Line like before Oct 7 Field observers told N12 that Hamas operatives are repeatedly approaching sensitive areas near the Yellow Line and testing response times under new rules of engagement, warning hesitation could allow preparation for attacks. 5

Crimea bomb kills defected Ukrainian submarine commander in Sevastopol Robert Shageyev, who reportedly commanded Ukraine's submarine Zaporizhzhia before defecting to Russia in 2014, was killed in an explosion that Russian officials said killed six personnel. A woman was arrested; a drone-hit Russian refinery also shut down as sanctions block repairs. 6

UN reports highest Ukrainian civilian death toll since 2022 in July At least 437 civilians were killed and 2,610 injured in July, a 30% increase from June and 70% from July 2025, with Kyiv among the hardest-hit cities. 7

Iran and US both claim control of Strait of Hormuz Iran and the US both assert control of the strategic waterway, a key route for global oil shipments amid heightened confrontation. 8

Oman says massive oil spill from tanker reaches coastline The tanker Caroline Bezengi, carrying an estimated 800,000 barrels of sanctioned Russian oil, ran aground after a suspected explosion in June; the slick now covers more than 2,000 sq km and threatens Ras Madraka and Masirah Island beaches. 9

RSF and allies advance on Sudan's key border town Kurmuk The paramilitary RSF and SPLM-N entered Kurmuk in Blue Nile State as the army withdrew, seizing weapons; the town on a key Ethiopia-Sudan route had changed hands in March and was recaptured last month. 10

Zambians await election result as Hichilema seeks second term Counting is under way after a largely peaceful vote in which unemployment and living costs dominated; the electoral commission has until Sunday to announce a result, with a run-off possible if no candidate passes 50%. 11

US urges China to end military pressure on Taiwan after navy drills The US State Department urged Beijing to cease military pressure against Taiwan after China's Honghe conducted live drills with an Indonesian frigate east of Taiwan; Indonesia called it a noncombat passing exercise. 12

Washington signals more action against Brazil over ambassador visa row The State Department said Brazil could have avoided canceling Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti's visa and warned of "additional diplomatic options" if Brasília does not approve Daniel Perez as the new US ambassador. 13

Parliamentary probe into Farage resumes after Clacton by-election win The Reform UK leader won 22,239 votes in Clacton in a contest boycotted by major parties, and Parliament's standards commissioner resumed its investigation into whether he failed to declare a £5m gift. 14