Evening Brief: Israeli Demand to Keep Troops in Gaza’s Morag Corridor Threatens Ceasefire Deal with Hamas, Ukraine Detains Chinese Nationals Attempting to Smuggle Missile Tech

· Guy D. McCardle

IDF soldiers operate in southern Gaza in April, establishing and securing the Morag Corridor to isolate Rafah from Khan Younis. (Image grab via X)

It’s Wednesday, July 9, 2025, and tonight’s brief brings sharp turns on multiple global fronts: Israel’s Gaza ceasefire talks hit a critical snag, the Houthis sink another ship in the Red Sea, and Washington sanctions a top UN official over Gaza war criticism. Meanwhile, the US Army moves forward with next-gen missile production, Europe braces for conflict with new emergency stockpiling plans, and Ukraine foils a Chinese espionage attempt. Let’s break down the afternoon’s most consequential developments.

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Israeli Demand to Keep Troops in Gaza’s Morag Corridor Threatens Ceasefire Deal with Hamas

As ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas near a potential breakthrough, Israel’s insistence on retaining troops in Gaza’s Morag corridor is emerging as a major sticking point that could derail the deal.

The 60-day truce plan, backed by US President Donald Trump, aims to pause hostilities, facilitate hostage releases, and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, Israel’s proposed continued military presence in the southern corridor could undermine the fragile agreement.

An Israeli official confirmed that maintaining control of the Morag corridor—a 12-kilometer (7-mile) strip between Rafah and Khan Younis seized in April—is a key condition for Israel.

Officials say it would serve as a screening zone to separate Hamas fighters from civilians and enable the creation of a “humanitarian city” along the Egyptian border for hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians.

Critics, including rights groups and regional analysts, warn this could amount to forcible population transfer, further displacing civilians and paving the way for de facto Israeli control over Gaza.

Hamas has rejected any truce that allows an ongoing Israeli military presence, making troop withdrawal a core demand in the negotiations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has compared Morag to the Philadelphi corridor, another Gaza buffer zone Israel claims it must control to stop arms smuggling.

The ceasefire talks have not yet addressed Israeli troop positions in other corridors, including the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza, which is also under Israeli control.

Analysts say the Morag condition signals to Hamas that Israel may not withdraw after the ceasefire ends, which could collapse negotiations. Hamas still holds dozens of hostages and shows no sign of surrendering.

Israel’s continued military posture in the enclave suggests the war may persist despite international pressure for peace.

 

Houthi Attack Sinks Liberian-Flagged Cargo Ship in Red Sea, Killing 3

Yemen’s Houthi rebels sank the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Eternity C in the Red Sea on Wednesday, killing at least three crew members and leaving 19 missing, according to a European Union naval mission.

Only six of the 25 people onboard were rescued—five Filipinos and one Indian—after a coordinated assault using rocket-propelled grenades, small arms, drones, and drone boats packed with explosives.

The Eternity C, owned by a Greek firm, was likely targeted for business ties to Israel. The attack marks the most severe assault to date in the Houthis’ ongoing maritime campaign, which has disrupted global trade through the Red Sea since late 2023 in response to Israel’s war in Gaza.

The strike comes days after another bulk carrier, Magic Seas, was also sunk, raising new alarm over maritime security. Neither ship requested protection from the EU naval force, and US destroyers in the region were not nearby.

The US maintains a ceasefire with the Houthis following an earlier airstrike campaign ordered by President Trump.

Houthi forces released video of the missile launch and sinking, accompanied by anti-American and anti-Israeli chants. The bridge of the ship appeared destroyed, and oil was seen leaking as the vessel went under.

The US and EU condemned the attack, warning it threatens freedom of navigation and global commerce. The UN’s special envoy to Yemen warned that such attacks risk dragging the country deeper into regional conflicts. Meanwhile, satellite images confirmed Israeli airstrikes damaged parts of Hodeida port, which Israel claims is used to smuggle arms into Yemen.

The Eternity C sinking highlights the increasing danger to international shipping in the Red Sea and the geopolitical volatility as ceasefire talks and US-Iran nuclear discussions remain unresolved.

 

Trump Administration Sanctions UN Human Rights Investigator Over Gaza Criticism

The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, in response to her outspoken condemnation of Israel’s war in Gaza.

The move marks the latest effort by Washington to punish international figures critical of Israeli military actions during the 21-month conflict.

Albanese, an Italian human rights lawyer, has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and called for global sanctions to pressure Tel Aviv to halt its campaign. She also supports the International Criminal Court’s war crimes indictments against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and has named major US companies allegedly aiding the conflict.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions Wednesday, accusing Albanese of waging “political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel.”

The State Department had previously tried, unsuccessfully, to have her removed from her UN post, citing what it described as a history of anti-Israel bias and anti-Semitic rhetoric.

The sanctions are part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on pro-Palestinian advocacy. Earlier this year, it began arresting and deporting US university faculty and students engaged in demonstrations supporting Palestinian rights.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s response has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which claims most of the dead are women and children.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with widespread displacement and limited access to medical care.

 

US Army Advances Precision Strike Missile Program into Production and Deployment

The US Army has officially moved its Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) program into production and deployment, following Milestone C approval earlier this month.

The decision enables the full-scale manufacturing and deployment of the next-generation missile across artillery formations, aiming to replace the aging Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).

Designed for deep-strike operations, the PrSM can hit targets at ranges exceeding 400 kilometers (249 miles), with potential for extended reach in future configurations. The missile is intended to neutralize enemy force projection assets and anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) systems, enhancing US and allied battlefield dominance.

Lockheed Martin is the program’s lead contractor under a $4.9 billion deal through 2029 to deliver over 1,200 missiles.

Recent testing from an M270A2 launcher in New Mexico confirmed PrSM’s compatibility with both the M270 and HIMARS platforms.

US Army officials, including Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, emphasized that the PrSM will significantly bolster long-range strike capabilities, offering soldiers a crucial edge in deterring aggression and defeating high-value targets across future conflict zones.

 

Anduril Secures $310M Grant to Build Drone Manufacturing Hub in Ohio

Defense contractor Anduril Industries has secured a $310 million grant from JobsOhio to construct a massive, advanced manufacturing facility near Columbus.

The 30-year agreement requires the California-based firm to create 4,008 new jobs, generate over $530 million in payroll, and invest at least $910.5 million in capital within the next decade.

Dubbed “Arsenal 1,” the 5-million-square-foot facility will produce military drones and autonomous air vehicles. It is scheduled to open in July 2026 on a 500-acre site near Rickenbacker International Airport in Pickaway County.

The project marks a major expansion of Anduril’s defense manufacturing footprint and a significant economic boost for Ohio’s aerospace and defense sector.

 

Trump Assassination Suspect Seeks to Remove Court-Appointed Lawyers Ahead of Trial

Ryan Routh, the 59-year-old man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, has filed a motion to remove his court-appointed federal public defenders ahead of his trial.

A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Thursday in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Routh did not specify why he wants to terminate attorneys Kristy Militello and Renee Michelle Sihvola, and it remains unclear if he intends to hire new counsel or represent himself.

Routh faces multiple federal charges, including attempted assassination of a then-major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms offenses. The charges stem from a September 15, 2024, incident where prosecutors allege Routh aimed a rifle at Trump as he played golf at his West Palm Beach club.

A Secret Service agent spotted Routh before he could fire, prompting a confrontation in which Routh dropped the weapon and fled.

Authorities arrested Routh shortly after with the help of a witness and aerial support. He has pleaded not guilty and also faces state charges of terrorism and attempted murder. His trial is scheduled for September, and he could face life in prison if convicted.

 

EU Launches First-Ever Stockpiling Plan Amid Fears of Russian Conflict

The European Union has unveiled its first comprehensive stockpiling strategy to secure essential goods—such as food, water, fuel, and medicine—in the face of potential crises, including the threat of war with Russia.

The plan comes as NATO warns that Moscow could be ready to launch an attack on the alliance within five years.

EU Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib announced the initiative Wednesday, stating the goal is to ensure life-saving supplies remain available during emergencies like energy blackouts, pandemics, conflicts, or natural disasters.

The plan includes coordinated national stockpiles, a European inventory system, and efforts to identify and fill supply gaps.

The 27-nation bloc is ramping up its overall defense readiness with a goal of ensuring self-reliance by 2030. Nations closer to Russia, like Finland, have long maintained strong civil preparedness, while others are now being urged to catch up.

The EU also recently advised households to maintain a three-day emergency kit with basic survival items. Lahbib emphasized that regardless of the type of crisis, its impact on citizens—such as losing power or access to essential supplies—warrants a uniform approach to preparedness across the continent.

 

Ukraine Detains Chinese Nationals Attempting to Smuggle Missile Tech

Ukraine’s SBU security service has detained a Chinese father and son in Kyiv for allegedly attempting to smuggle classified missile technology related to the RK-360MC Neptune system out of the country.

The 24-year-old son, a former technical university student in Kyiv, reportedly received instructions from his father, who traveled from China to oversee the espionage operation.

If convicted, both face up to 15 years in prison.

The Neptune missile system, which Ukraine famously used to sink Russia’s Black Sea flagship Moskva, remains one of the country’s most closely guarded defense assets.

The arrests come amid heightened tensions between Kyiv and Beijing. Ukraine and Western allies accuse China of enabling Russia’s invasion through trade and technological support, including components used in drone attacks.

Ukrainian officials also claim that dozens of Chinese nationals have been recruited to fight for the Russian military, a charge Beijing denies.

Since forging a “no limits” partnership just before Russia’s 2022 invasion, Moscow and Beijing have expanded cooperation across military, economic, and political domains. The espionage case is likely to further strain Ukraine-China relations.

 

Czech Republic Bans Chinese AI Firm DeepSeek from Government Use Over Security Concerns

The Czech Republic has banned the use of artificial intelligence (AI) products from Chinese startup DeepSeek in state administration due to cybersecurity risks, Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced Wednesday.

The decision follows a warning from the national cybersecurity authority, which cited concerns about unauthorized access to user data and DeepSeek’s legal obligation to cooperate with Chinese state authorities.

Founded in 2023 in Hangzhou, China, DeepSeek released its first large language model later that year.

The move aligns the Czech Republic with countries like Italy and Australia, which have already restricted or blocked access to the company’s chatbot over similar data security fears.

The Czech government previously banned the use of hardware and software from Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE in 2018 for national security reasons.

 

Sources: News Agencies