Overview
- Israeli officials say remains returned by Hamas did not match the list of 13 hostages and are under forensic review, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered operations beyond the “yellow line” and new strikes in Gaza.
- Hamas accused Israel of blocking coordinated recovery teams for the handover of bodies and asserted it is adhering to the ceasefire, with both sides trading claims of violations linked to the remains dispute.
- In Beirut, U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus pushed leaders to choose direct talks with Israel or an indirect mechanism to address Hezbollah’s arms, warning of consequences if Lebanon fails to act while the army cites limited capacity.
- Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces seized El Fasher and advanced in Kordofan, shifting the conflict’s balance and heightening escalation risks in a war that has killed about 150,000 people and displaced roughly 15 million, according to local reporting.
- The United Nations warned Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with sustained winds near 280 km/h, threatens millions in the Caribbean and activated $4 million in anticipatory funding, with shelters opened and early fatalities reported.