Morning Brief: Trump, Netanyahu Plot Ceasefire as Hezbollah Vows Resistance

· Guy D. McCardle

Aerial view of Rafah’s destruction following Israeli withdrawal as ceasefire begins in Gaza earlier this year. (Wikimedia Commons)

The week begins with high-stakes diplomacy, rising drone warfare, and deepening fault lines across the Middle East. Hezbollah defies disarmament calls, Israel pounds Gaza while eyeing a ceasefire, and maritime attacks flare in the Red Sea. In Washington, Trump and Netanyahu gear up for a critical meeting with F-35s and Gaza top of the agenda. Meanwhile, Texas reels from deadly floods, Ukraine ramps up drone production, and BRICS tries to navigate a divided world. Here’s your intel this July 7, 2025, to start the day locked in.

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Hezbollah Defies Disarmament Pressure Ahead of US Envoy Visit

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared Sunday that the group will not surrender or disarm despite mounting Israeli threats and international pressure.

Speaking to thousands of supporters in Beirut during Ashura commemorations, Qassem dismissed any possibility of disarmament, “not now, not later,” insisting Israel must first stop its aggression, release Lebanese prisoners, and withdraw from occupied areas.

His comments precede a Monday visit by US envoy Thomas Barrack, during which Lebanese officials are expected to respond to a US request for Hezbollah to disarm by year’s end.

Qassem, who took leadership after the September assassination of Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli strike, emphasized that Hezbollah’s weapons remain essential as long as Israeli strikes continue and the ceasefire remains unfulfilled.

Despite a ceasefire agreement signed last November requiring Hezbollah’s retreat north of the Litani River and Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, Israeli forces remain in several areas and continue targeting Hezbollah positions. Lebanon claims it is dismantling Hezbollah’s military presence in the south.

Qassem also rejected any normalization with Israel, responding to recent Israeli overtures. Meanwhile, Ashura processions across Lebanon and the wider region, particularly in Syria and Iraq, drew reduced crowds due to security concerns and ongoing Israeli airstrikes, especially in southern Lebanon.

 

Israel Pushes Gaza Ceasefire Talks Amid Heavy Strikes, New Proposal Details Emerge

Israel has sent a negotiating team to Qatar ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, as new details surfaced Sunday about a proposed 60-day Gaza ceasefire deal.

The proposal, confirmed by multiple sources, includes the release of 10 living and 18 deceased hostages by Hamas, a partial Israeli troop withdrawal to buffer zones, and a major humanitarian aid influx managed by the United Nations and Palestinian Red Crescent.

The draft deal stops short of a permanent ceasefire but promises that negotiations for one would occur during the truce. US President Donald Trump is named in the document as the guarantor for Israel’s compliance with the agreement, vowing to personally announce and ensure adherence to the ceasefire.

Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s objective to eliminate Hamas and secure the return of all hostages.

“We are determined to bring them all back,” he said before departing, adding that Gaza must no longer pose a threat to Israel.

Despite the diplomatic push, Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed at least 38 Palestinians. Gaza officials reported 20 deaths in Gaza City and 18 more in Muwasi, a coastal displacement camp in southern Gaza.

The Israeli military stated it had struck 130 targets across Gaza in 24 hours, including Hamas infrastructure and militants.

Hamas has reportedly issued a “positive” response to the proposal but seeks further amendments. The group demands a firm guarantee that a full Israeli withdrawal and permanent end to the war will follow the initial truce.

Netanyahu’s office, however, dismissed Hamas’s demands as “unacceptable” and reiterated that Israel intends to resume operations if necessary to eliminate the group.

The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel that left 1,200 dead and 251 taken hostage, has resulted in over 57,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry. The majority of those killed are reported to be women and children. The UN considers the ministry’s figures the most consistent data source on the conflict’s casualties.

 

Israel Strikes Houthi Ports After Red Sea Ship Hit by Drone Boats

Israel launched airstrikes early Monday against Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen following a drone boat attack Sunday on the Liberian-flagged Magic Seas in the Red Sea.

The bulk carrier caught fire and was abandoned by its crew after being hit by explosives and projectiles from eight skiffs and bomb-laden drone boats. The Houthis have not officially claimed responsibility, but their media acknowledged the incident. Yemen’s exiled government blamed the Iran-backed group.

The Israeli military said its strikes hit Houthi facilities in Hodeida, Ras Isa, Salif, and the Ras Kanatib power plant, as well as the Galaxy Leader, a ship seized by the Houthis in November 2023.

Israel accused the Houthis of using the Galaxy Leader for maritime surveillance and coordination of attacks. The Houthis confirmed the strikes but claimed their air defenses confronted them.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of continued action, declaring, “Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off.” Hours later, the Houthis launched a missile at Israel, which evaded interception and reportedly struck near the Dead Sea. No casualties were reported.

The Red Sea attack marks a potential escalation in the Houthi maritime campaign, which previously targeted over 100 vessels since November 2023, disrupting global trade and prompting US and allied military responses.

The Magic Seas attack raises concern about renewed Houthi aggression, especially amid delicate Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations and heightened regional tensions involving Iran.

The Magic Seas, bound for the Suez Canal, was 100 kilometers (62 miles) off Yemen’s Hodeida when struck. A passing vessel rescued its crew after they abandoned the damaged ship. US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed awareness of the incident but gave no further comment.

The attack aligns with the Houthis’ ongoing efforts to pressure Israel over its Gaza operations, though shipping through the Red Sea has slightly recovered in recent weeks.

 

Erdogan Says Turkey to Rejoin F-35 Program Under Deal with Trump

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced confidence that Turkey will reenter the US F-35 program and receive stealth fighter jets under what he described as an “agreement” with President Donald Trump.

Speaking after a recent visit to Azerbaijan, Erdogan told state media that the deliveries would begin “step-by-step” during Trump’s term.

The US expelled Turkey from the F-35 program in 2019 and imposed sanctions in 2020 over Ankara’s acquisition of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.

Erdogan now claims the F-35 deal is back on track as part of a broader “geo-economic revolution” and views the issue as both a defense and alliance matter within NATO.

US Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack supported Erdogan’s optimism, saying over the weekend that defense sanctions could be lifted by year’s end and that Trump and Erdogan plan to direct diplomats to resolve the dispute with congressional backing.

In March, Erdogan also discussed finalizing a parallel F-16 fighter jet sale with Trump. He previously said the US began easing sanctions after Trump’s return to office, signaling renewed cooperation between the two NATO allies.

 

Trump-Netanyahu Meeting Highlights Ceasefire Push, F-35 Alliance, and Regional Strategy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump are set to meet Monday for the third time this year, aiming to build on their joint military success against Iran while tackling the ongoing war in Gaza.

The visit follows coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which both leaders hailed as a major strategic win. But behind the celebratory optics, pressure mounts for a Gaza ceasefire deal.

Trump has made clear he wants the Gaza war — now 21 months long — to end soon. A proposed 60-day ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas is on the table, potentially including hostage releases and a major humanitarian aid surge. However, a key dispute remains unresolved: Hamas demands a total Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war, while Netanyahu insists Hamas must first surrender, disarm, and go into exile.

Netanyahu praised the ongoing ceasefire discussions before departing for Washington, citing the meeting with Trump as a potential accelerator. Trump, seeking to solidify his legacy as a regional peacemaker, has also pushed for rapid resolution. He downplayed the likelihood of an imminent breakthrough but said he expects progress on the hostage front within days.

The leaders’ alignment has grown stronger since the Iran strikes, though their past meetings were marked by tension — including Trump’s surprise announcement in April of renewed talks with Iran. Trump has since pledged to be “very firm” on ending the Gaza war, and experts say Netanyahu may find it difficult to resist Trump’s demands given the US support in Iran.

Trump may also expect political payback after publicly calling for Netanyahu’s corruption trial to be dropped.

Analysts suggest Trump believes Netanyahu now “owes him” and will pressure Israel accordingly.

Beyond Gaza, the two leaders are expected to discuss expanding the Abraham Accords, Trump’s flagship Middle East initiative.


Talks may include efforts to bring Syria and Saudi Arabia into normalization agreements. But Saudi engagement hinges on real progress toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — making the Gaza ceasefire a critical piece of Trump’s broader regional ambitions.

 

Texas Flash Floods Kill 82, Dozens Still Missing After Camp Washed Away

Flash floods ripped through central Texas on Friday, killing at least 82 people and leaving 41 others unaccounted for, including 10 girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp in Kerr County.

The Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and cabins.

Families returned to the flood-ravaged site Sunday, searching for belongings and missing loved ones as rescuers continued efforts amid dangerous conditions, including snakes and debris.

Authorities confirmed 68 of the fatalities occurred in Kerr County, 28 of them children. Additional deaths were reported in Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Tom Green, and Williamson counties. Gov. Greg Abbott declared Sunday a statewide day of prayer and warned more life-threatening flooding could occur as heavy rains continue through Tuesday.

President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County and announced plans to visit the region Friday.

Rescue teams used helicopters, boats, and drones to evacuate stranded individuals. Over 850 people were rescued in the first 36 hours. Survivors described clinging to trees and crossing bridges with water at their waists.

Authorities are now facing scrutiny over whether enough warnings were issued. Although flash flood warnings were sent ahead of time, officials admitted they did not anticipate the severity of the storm.

Pope Leo XIV offered condolences and prayers for the victims, especially the young girls lost at summer camp.

The Texas Hill Country, long known as “flash flood alley,” was packed with campers and tourists for the July 4th holiday, complicating efforts to track the missing.

Trump, while dodging questions about Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) cuts and staffing, acknowledged the scope of the disaster, calling it “absolutely horrible.”

 

Mass Drone Strikes Disrupt Russian Airspace as Ukraine Boosts Domestic Drone Production

Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds of drones on Sunday in one of the largest aerial duels of the war, throwing Russian air travel into chaos and causing civilian casualties on both sides.

The strikes came days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced new agreements with Western partners to significantly ramp up Ukraine’s drone production.

Russian authorities reported shooting down at least 159 Ukrainian drones over the weekend, with attacks causing major disruptions at airports in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other regions.

Photos showed stranded travelers at Sheremetyevo and Pulkovo airports as hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled. In Belgorod, Ukrainian drones injured two civilians.

The assault follows a massive Russian barrage late last week, when Moscow launched over 550 drones and missiles across Ukraine, killing at least two in Kyiv and wounding dozens. On Sunday, Russia continued its drone attacks, injuring civilians in Kyiv and Kharkiv, striking port infrastructure in Mykolaiv, and killing four people in the eastern town of Kostyantynivka with a glide bomb and drone combination.

Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine has signed deals with European allies and a leading US defense firm to produce “hundreds of thousands” of drones this year. Ukraine also plans joint production on Danish soil with Denmark.

The announcement follows a US pause in critical arms shipments, prompting Kyiv and its European partners to explore self-reliance in weapons manufacturing.

Ukraine has increasingly relied on drones to offset manpower shortages and strike deep into Russian territory, including a recent attack that destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft. Despite Russia’s intensified summer offensives, analysts maintain that the Ukrainian front line remains intact.

Zelenskyy said he had a “very important” phone call with US President Donald Trump, discussing joint drone production and possible diplomatic efforts to end the war. Trump described the conversation as “good” and remarked on the severe pressure Ukraine is currently under.

 

BRICS Summit Condemns Iran Strikes, Tariffs; Avoids Direct Criticism of US and Russia

The BRICS bloc condemned military strikes on Iran and rising global tariffs during its summit Sunday in Rio de Janeiro but carefully avoided naming US President Donald Trump or criticizing member state Russia.

The summit’s final declaration expressed concern over protectionist trade measures, calling them threats to global commerce, while also denouncing Israel’s military actions in Gaza without naming it directly.

Iran, represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, denounced US and Israeli strikes and warned that continued conflict would destabilize the wider region. He also rejected the viability of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. While BRICS leaders voiced support for a two-state framework, Iran later issued a reservation opposing that stance.

The bloc’s 31-page declaration mentioned Ukraine only once, condemning recent Ukrainian strikes on Russia. It stopped short of addressing the broader war, reaffirming each member’s individual stance.

Russia, represented by President Vladimir Putin via video due to an outstanding arrest warrant, avoided direct criticism, while China’s President Xi Jinping skipped the summit entirely for the first time since taking office.

President Lula da Silva used the summit to oppose NATO’s planned increase in military spending and called for reform of Western-dominated global institutions. Yet, Brazil avoided escalating tensions with the US, especially after Trump warned that countries aligning with BRICS could face a 10% tariff hike and threatened 100% tariffs on those undermining the dollar.

Despite internal divisions and absences, the summit focused on integrating new members — including Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates — and strengthening trade ties.

Analysts noted the bloc’s lack of unified leadership, highlighting challenges in counterbalancing Western influence. Still, BRICS leaders saw the summit as a chance to bolster economic cooperation amid rising global uncertainty.

 

Sources: News Agencies