Situation report, Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Israel: Lebanese army says troops deploying in 'pilot zone' after Israeli withdrawal
Israel
The Lebanese army said troops are deploying in a 'pilot zone' after Israeli withdrawal, according to the BBC. The IDF and Shin Bet killed two Hamas commanders linked to the October 7 kidnappings of Gaza hostages in weekend strikes, the Jerusalem Post reports. A woman and three children were killed in an Israeli strike on a Gaza City home despite a ceasefire, Anadolu Agency says.
Iran
Houthi rebels threatened to blockade another key strait amid a U.S.-Iran war, NPR reports. The U.S. conducted strikes on Iran for the tenth consecutive night, while Tehran struck a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Independent. Iran hit U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan after ten nights of U.S. attacks, Middle East Eye reports. A proposal for a 10-day truce between Washington and Tehran is under discussion, Axios reports via Al Jazeera.
Russia
A Russian Navy ship conducted military exercises off the coast of the United Kingdom, Lenta reports. The FBI director Kash Patel is set to visit Russia weeks before midterms, according to The Independent. Falling drone debris injured a child in Russia’s Black Sea city of Sochi, TASS reports. Russia expelled an Italian military attaché in a retaliatory move, Mehr News reports.
Gaza
The occupation is building a massive earthen barrier inside Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.
Lebanon
For the second time in a week, Syrian customs seized an ammunition shipment bound for Lebanon, Al Jazeera reports.
Ukraine
The first half of 2026 saw a sharp rise in civilian casualties in the Russia-Ukraine war, France 24 reports.
Compiled from 306 reports on the morning wire, grouped by region, and published under the responsibility of Editor Kian Jamasbi, J.D. Section summaries are drafted with AI strictly from the day’s sourced reporting; outlet names in each summary link to the original articles. Read the full AI & automation policy.