For review:

1. Hamas negotiators in Cairo this week signaled a willingness to come down from demands they made last month that led to the collapse of hostage talks in Doha.

Arab mediators passed along the development to Israel, but Jerusalem responded that it is not interested in another partial ceasefire.

2. The IDF on Friday said it destroyed dozens of “terror targets” in its new offensive on Zeitoun on the outskirts of Gaza City. In addition, the IDF said Friday that seven kilometers (4.3 miles) worth of Hamas tunnels in northern Gaza’s Beit Hanoun were sealed with concrete.

3. Hezbollah Chief Threatens Lebanese Government Over Seizure of Arms.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem claimed that there would be “no life in Lebanon” should its weapons be taken by force.

4. US President Trump early Saturday ruled out an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine after his inconclusive summit with Russian counterpart President Putin, saying a direct peace agreement would end the war.

5. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday.

6. Australia and Philippines Conduct Combined Military Exercise. Military officials said defense forces from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Indonesia will join as observers.

For review:

1. Mossad Chief to Qatar. Mossad Director David Barnea was in Doha on Thursday to meet with the Qatari Prime Minister al-Thani. The Mossad Director conveyed to the Prime Minister that Israel was not bluffing with its plan to conquer Gaza, and intends to do so unless there’s progress in the talks to free the hostages.

2. IDF CoS Approved Gaza City Take Over Plan.

3. During a meeting in Beirut with Ali Larijani (secretary of Iran’s top security body), Lebanon' President Joseph Aoun warned against foreign interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs, saying the country was open to cooperation with Iran but only within the bounds of national sovereignty and mutual respect.

4. Turkey and Syria inked a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday after meetings between their foreign and defense ministers and intelligence chiefs.

Under the accord, Turkey will provide weapons and logistical tools to Syria- and potentially could train the Syrian army in using such equipment if needed.

5. Still A Go: President Trump to Meet Russian President in Alaska Friday.

The top-level Russian delegation will include President Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and President Putin's longtime friend and investment envoy- Kirill Dmitriev.

6. Switzerland Committed to Procure F-35As.

7. The United States is disputing China’s claim that it chased away an American warship conducting a freedom of navigation operation near Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday.

8. South Korea aims to reclaim wartime operational control (OPCON) from the US, a role Washington has assumed from around the time of the Korean War.

S. Korean President Lee Jae-Myung signaled a firm commitment to achieving this goal as a key part of his administration’s foreign and security policy under a five-year policy roadmap, the Korea Times reported.

For review:

1. Australia will recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Monday.

2. Israel - Hamas Hostage & Ceasefire Negotiations Could Restart This Week.

Israel may send negotiators to Doha this week for meetings on a comprehensive agreement for the release of hostages held by Hamas and a ceasefire in Gaza.

3. New US CENTCOM Commander.

Incoming Commander US Navy Admiral Brad Copper replaced US Army General Michael Kurilla.

4. President Trump to Meet with Russian President Without Ukraine.

5. Azerbaijan has warned that it could lift its arms embargo on Kyiv- if Russia keeps targeting energy infrastructure in Ukraine linked to the South Caucasus country.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Azerbaijan has refrained from transferring weapons to either side.

6. Finland has planned a live-firing event to assess the potential of laser-guided artillery munitions. The demonstration event is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.

7. Japan & Philippine Defense Agreement starts next month. The agreement will permit troops from both countries to train within their respective territorial waters, territories, and air spaces.

8. A China Coast Guard vessel and People’s Liberation Army Navy ship crashed into each other in the South China Sea on Monday while chasing a Philippine Coast Guard vessel.