Overview

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to occupy the entire Gaza Strip, declaring “the die is cast” despite warnings about the operation’s feasibility.
• Military Chief Eyal Zamir has opposed extending the ground offensive into the remaining 25% of Gaza, warning tunnel destruction could take months and put dozens of hostages at risk.
• More than 600 former intelligence and military leaders have published an open letter demanding an immediate ceasefire and hostage negotiations, intensifying domestic criticism of Netanyahu’s strategy.
• President Trump has given Russia until Friday to agree to a Ukraine ceasefire or face new sanctions; envoy Steve Witkoff is en route to Moscow to press for terms.
• Kremlin sources tell Reuters that President Putin plans to ignore the ultimatum and continue offensives aimed at fully occupying Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson before any talks.