Evening Brief: Israel Launches Intense Bombardment on Gaza Ahead of US Ceasefire Talks, Denmark Expands Military Draft to Women

· Guy D. McCardle

Israeli airstrikes hit homes in Gaza City and Jabalia Al-Nazla, northern Gaza, following mass evacuation orders on Monday, June 30. (Image grab via X)

As the sun sets on the month, tensions remain sky-high across global fault lines. The Israel-Iran ceasefire holds for now, but threats (both nuclear and digital) still simmer beneath the surface. Gaza burns again as ceasefire talks begin in Washington, while ICE crackdowns spark fear among Iranian American communities. A deadly ambush in Idaho shocks first responders, Denmark retools its military playbook, and unlikely alliances form from Manila to Vilnius. Here’s your no-BS rundown of today’s flashpoints and shifting frontlines.

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US-Brokered Israel-Iran Ceasefire Holds, But Key Questions Remain Unresolved

A week after the US brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, following American strikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites, the truce is holding—but uncertainty looms over the future of regional stability, US-Iran relations, and the war in Gaza.

Iran’s Nuclear Setback Unclear

President Trump claimed the targeted Iranian facilities were “obliterated,” but US defense and intelligence assessments indicate only partial destruction.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed substantial damage to uranium enrichment sites at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan but warned Iran retains enough capability to restart operations if inspectors aren’t granted access.

US-Iran Relations at a Crossroads

Initial post-ceasefire dialogue between Washington and Tehran faltered quickly.

Trump floated easing sanctions if Iran abandoned its nuclear ambitions, but Ayatollah Khamenei’s defiant remarks shut the door on immediate diplomacy. Iran’s Foreign Ministry says no talks are scheduled, and Trump has given mixed signals, telling NATO leaders a deal “may” be possible but “not necessary.”

Khamenei’s Role Still Central

Despite health rumors and time spent in a bunker during the strikes, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains firmly in control. He continues to command Iran’s military and internal apparatus, particularly through the Revolutionary Guard, and shows no signs of shifting his hardline stance.

Cyber Threats Rising

While Iran’s missile response to US strikes was limited, cybersecurity agencies warn of a growing threat from Iranian-backed hackers. The Department of Homeland Security and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have issued alerts to US critical infrastructure operators amid concerns Tehran may turn to cyberwarfare.

Ceasefire Stability in Doubt

Though the ceasefire ended the immediate fighting, it lacks terms for dismantling Iran’s nuclear program.

Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Israel will strike again if Iran resumes nuclear activities. Trump, meanwhile, expects Iran to eventually accept inspections, but no agreement has been reached.

Gaza Ceasefire Hopes Tied to Diplomatic Momentum

Trump is now pressuring Netanyahu to finalize a ceasefire deal with Hamas and secure the release of hostages in Gaza. He told reporters he expects progress “within the next week,” though no details were provided.

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is in Washington for high-level talks on Gaza, Iran, and regional security.

While the truce marks a temporary de-escalation, it leaves major geopolitical and security challenges unresolved.

 

Israel Launches Intense Bombardment on Gaza Ahead of US Ceasefire Talks

Israeli forces unleashed one of the heaviest bombardments in northern Gaza in weeks on Monday, just hours before top Israeli officials arrived in Washington for US-led ceasefire talks.

At least 25 Palestinians were killed, including 10 in Gaza City’s Zeitoun suburb, amid widespread shelling of schools and homes following mass evacuation orders.

Despite a new push by President Donald Trump to end the 20-month war, on-the-ground fighting showed no signs of slowing. Residents reported relentless explosions, with Israeli tanks entering eastern Gaza City and the military issuing fresh warnings for civilians to evacuate the north.

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer was expected at the White House for discussions on the Gaza conflict, Iran, and broader regional diplomacy. In Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s security cabinet prepared to review next steps in the war effort.

Mediators Qatar and Egypt are intensifying talks with both sides, but no new date has been set for formal ceasefire negotiations.

Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal and end to the war, while Israel insists Hamas must first disarm—an outcome the militant group rejects.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and abducted 251 in a surprise cross-border attack. Israel’s retaliation has killed over 56,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, and displaced nearly the entire population.

According to the United Nations, more than 80% of Gaza is now either militarized or under displacement orders.

 

US Arrests Longtime Iranian Immigrants Amid Rising Deportation Pressure After Strikes on Iran

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Mandonna “Donna” Kashanian—an Iranian woman who lived in the US for 47 years—at her New Orleans home while she was gardening, sparking alarm among advocacy groups and her family.

The 64-year-old, who is married to a US citizen and has a daughter, had complied with immigration check-ins for decades after losing an asylum bid in the 1980s.

Her arrest comes as ICE ramps up detentions of Iranian nationals following recent US military strikes on Iran.

Homeland Security officials have not disclosed the total number arrested but confirmed at least 11 Iranians were detained over the same weekend as the missile strikes. Officials claimed these arrests target individuals linked to national security threats, though no evidence has been presented.

Kashanian’s case mirrors that of other long-term Iranian residents facing sudden detention despite years of legal compliance.

In Oregon, ICE detained an Iranian man, identified only as S.F., two weeks before a scheduled check-in. His lawyer argues that recent US-Iran tensions, combined with his Christian conversion and family ties in the US, put him at grave risk if deported.

Advocacy groups warn the Biden administration appears to be enforcing a hardline shift on Iranian immigration under mounting security concerns. Iran’s inclusion on a new US travel ban list, coupled with efforts to deport individuals to third countries, has raised fears among immigrant communities.

Kashanian’s family insists she poses no threat and has deep ties to the US, including years of volunteer work and community engagement. Her daughter, Kaitlynn Milne, said in a report the Associated Press that the arrest was unjust: “She tried to do everything right.”

ICE has not commented directly on her case.

 

Armed Suspect Sets Wildfire, Kills Two Firefighters in Idaho Ambush

A man armed with a rifle deliberately started a wildfire and then ambushed first responders in Canfield Mountain, just north of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Sunday, killing two firefighters and critically wounding a third, authorities confirmed.

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said the suspect, identified as Wess Roley, acted alone and was found dead near the fire zone with a firearm after tactical teams used cellphone data to track him down.

Investigators believe he started the blaze to lure emergency crews before launching a planned attack.

Firefighters came under sniper fire shortly after arriving on the scene around 1:30 p.m. local time. A shelter-in-place order was issued and later lifted Sunday night, though the fire continues to burn.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is assisting with the investigation and tactical response.

The wounded firefighter remains in stable condition following surgery.

Officials described the chaotic scene, with first responders calling urgently for backup as gunfire erupted. Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the attack as a “heinous direct assault” on public servants.

Canfield Mountain, a forested recreation area outside Coeur d’Alene, remains under close watch due to both the active fire and shaken local residents. Authorities warn the situation remains fluid as the fire’s status evolves.

 

UK, France, Germany Condemn Iranian Threats Against IAEA Chief

France, Germany, and the United Kingdom condemned threats against International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi after Iran accused him of bias and complicity following Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear sites.

The joint statement urged Tehran to resume full cooperation with the IAEA and ensure the safety of its personnel.

The backlash follows a hardline Iranian newspaper article linked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, which called for Grossi to be tried and executed if he enters Iran. Iranian officials have not officially endorsed the article, but President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have sharply criticized Grossi’s role, accusing him of “double standards” and “malign action.”

Tehran has threatened to end cooperation with the IAEA and can no longer guarantee inspectors’ safety, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei. He noted that a new parliamentary law mandating reduced IAEA engagement has been approved by the Guardian Council.

Tensions escalated after the IAEA declared Iran in violation of its nuclear obligations, shortly before Israeli and US forces struck Iranian nuclear sites.

Iran raised the death toll from those strikes to 935, including 38 children and 132 women. Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Israel killed 28 people, according to Israeli officials.

Iran, a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, now questions its commitment to treaty obligations, citing the IAEA’s failure to condemn strikes on its nuclear infrastructure, while Israel remains outside the treaty and exempt from inspections.

The diplomatic standoff signals deepening instability around Iran’s nuclear future.

 

Denmark Expands Military Draft to Women

Denmark will begin drafting women into military service for the first time starting summer 2025, as part of a broader effort to strengthen its armed forces in response to increasing global security threats, including Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The change, passed by parliament in June, puts women on equal footing with men in the country’s lottery-based conscription system.

Previously, women could only volunteer for military service. Now, all physically fit 18-year-old Danes—regardless of gender—will be eligible for the draft. The policy accelerates a defense reform originally slated for 2027, reflecting Denmark’s urgency to boost its military readiness.

Col. Kenneth Strøm, head of the conscription program, said increasing conscript numbers directly adds combat power and reinforces NATO’s deterrence efforts. Denmark currently has 9,000 professional troops and expects to raise the number of annual conscripts from 4,700 to 6,500 by 2033.

Military service duration will also increase from four to eleven months, including five months of basic training and six months of operational service.

The expansion is funded in part by Denmark’s new $7 billion defense fund, which aims to push military spending above 3% of GDP.

Nevertheless, challenges remain, including a shortage of facilities, concerns about equipment, and harassment. Similar gender-equal draft policies are already in place in Sweden and Norway.

 

Germany Backs Ukrainian Arms Production to Strengthen Kyiv in Peace Talks

Germany pledged Monday to help Ukraine manufacture more weapons domestically to strengthen its position in stalled peace negotiations with Russia.

During a visit to Kyiv, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, accompanied by defense industry leaders, said Berlin aims to accelerate joint arms production amid Ukraine’s critical need for weapons and manpower.

“We see our task as helping Ukraine so that it can negotiate more strongly,” Wadephul said, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s talk of peace is merely a “façade.” He confirmed plans to create new joint ventures to boost Ukraine’s defense capabilities and described the partnership as mutually beneficial.

Wadephul’s visit came just two days after Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine to date.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported detecting 107 Russian Shahed drones and decoys in one night. Russian strikes on Kharkiv killed two civilians and injured eight, including a child. Ukrainian officials described the attacks as psychological warfare aimed at demoralizing the population.

Wadephul met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and was scheduled to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Sybiha thanked Germany for its air defense support and urged further delivery of anti-missile systems, calling them critical to protecting civilians.

Germany has resisted supplying Taurus long-range missiles over fears of escalating the conflict with Russia. However, Chancellor Friedrich Merz previously pledged to assist Ukraine in developing its own long-range missile capabilities, free from NATO-imposed restrictions.

Germany remains Ukraine’s second-largest military backer after the United States.

 

Hong Kong’s League of Social Democrats Disbands Under Political Pressure

The League of Social Democrats (LSD), one of Hong Kong’s last remaining pro-democracy parties, officially disbanded on Sunday, citing “immense political pressure” amid Beijing’s sweeping crackdown on dissent.

Party chair Chan Po-ying said the decision was unanimous and made to protect members from further repercussions.

Founded in 2006, LSD was known for its grassroots activism and confrontational tactics in the legislature. The party becomes the latest casualty of China’s 2020 national security law, which has silenced most of the city’s opposition. Other key parties, including the Civic Party and Democratic Party, have already folded or are in the process of doing so.

The party faced mounting operational obstacles, including the closure of its bank accounts and the jailing of multiple members—most notably co-founder Leung Kwok-hung, who was convicted of subversion in 2023. Fellow member Jimmy Sham, recently released from prison, highlighted LSD’s advocacy for LGBTQ rights.

Authorities have reshaped Hong Kong’s political system to ensure only Beijing loyalists hold office.

Chan said she holds no hope for future liberalization, warning that LSD’s closure may trigger a broader “domino effect” among remaining civil groups. Despite the shutdown, she urged citizens to survive and continue asserting their rights where possible.

 

Philippines and Lithuania Forge Security Pact to Counter China, Authoritarian Threats

The Philippines and Lithuania signed a defense cooperation agreement Monday in Manila, aiming to strengthen their collective security against perceived aggression from authoritarian states, particularly China.

The memorandum of understanding, signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė, focuses on cyber defense, arms production, maritime security, and countering emerging threats.

Šakalienė cited growing collaboration among Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, calling it an “authoritarian axis” that threatens global democracy. She emphasized the need for democratic nations to respond jointly, pointing to China’s actions in the South China Sea and Taiwan as part of a broader pattern of coercion.

Tensions between the Philippines and China have escalated in recent years, with Chinese vessels repeatedly harassing Filipino ships and fishermen in contested waters.

Šakalienė condemned these tactics and praised the Philippines’ strategy of exposing Chinese aggression to rally international support.

Teodoro warned against unilateral efforts to reshape maritime law for the benefit of expansionist powers, stressing the importance of defending international rules.

The agreement supports Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s broader push to establish new security alliances beyond its traditional defense pact with the US, amid increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region.

 

Sources: News Agencies