US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the June 19 strike killed Ali Husayn Al-Ulaywi, describing the operation as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt extremist networks capable of threatening American interests and allies.

In a statement, CENTCOM said the strike was intended to prevent terrorist groups from planning or carrying out attacks against the United States, its partners and its homeland.

The military did not disclose the precise location of the operation, details about the target’s role within Daesh, or whether any additional militants were killed.

The strike comes as the United States continues to conduct targeted operations against surviving Daesh elements in Syria, where the group maintains clandestine networks and sleeper cells despite losing the territory it once controlled.

Washington first deployed forces to Syria more than a decade ago to support Kurdish-led partner forces in the fight against Daesh after the group seized large areas of Syria and neighboring Iraq during its rapid expansion in 2014.

The US-led international coalition subsequently helped local forces dismantle the group’s self-declared caliphate through a series of military campaigns that recaptured major urban centers and strategic territory.

Although Daesh no longer controls significant territory, security officials have repeatedly warned that the organization remains capable of conducting insurgent attacks through decentralized cells operating in remote areas of Syria and Iraq.

In April, US and Syrian authorities announced that Syrian forces had assumed control of all major military bases previously used by coalition forces, reflecting a continued drawdown of the international mission.

American forces, however, have maintained the capability to carry out intelligence-driven strikes and special operations targeting senior militant figures viewed as threats to regional and international security.

US officials have consistently stated that preventing a resurgence of Daesh remains a central objective of American counterterrorism policy in Syria and Iraq.

The latest operation highlights Washington’s intention to preserve that capability even as responsibility for day-to-day security increasingly shifts to local authorities.

The arrival of the Moroccan personnel was confirmed on Tuesday by the Board of Peace established under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. A source familiar with the deployment said the officers reached the ISF headquarters in southern Israel on June 18 and would assist in developing the force’s organizational structure while providing expertise in policing and security operations.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that four Moroccan officers were part of the contingent but did not disclose whether additional personnel had also been deployed.

Morocco announced in February that it would contribute police and military personnel to the planned force, becoming the first Arab state to publicly commit troops to the initiative.

The deployment forms part of the second phase of a Gaza framework announced by Washington in January and later endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. The plan aims to transition the Gaza Strip from active conflict toward a longer-term security and governance arrangement following the war triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Under the framework, Israel would gradually withdraw forces from parts of Gaza, Hamas would be disarmed, and an international stabilization mission would be deployed to support security and reconstruction efforts.

Despite diplomatic backing, implementation has progressed slowly. While the ceasefire that entered into force in October has largely prevented a return to full-scale warfare, negotiations over a permanent settlement remain stalled.

The proposed stabilization force has been discussed repeatedly by international mediators but has yet to become operational inside Gaza.

Hamas stated in February that it could accept the presence of an international force provided it did not interfere in the territory’s internal affairs. The group has governed Gaza since seizing control of the enclave in 2007.

Israeli officials say their forces currently maintain control over approximately 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, up from slightly more than half immediately after the initial troop redeployments conducted under the ceasefire arrangements.

The truce has remained fragile, with both Israel and Hamas regularly accusing each other of violations while international mediators continue efforts to secure a broader political agreement.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect. The United Nations has previously cited the ministry’s casualty data as generally reliable for monitoring conflict-related fatalities.

The Israeli military has reported the deaths of five soldiers during the same period.

The arrival of Moroccan personnel represents a tangible step toward establishing the multinational security mission envisioned under the ceasefire framework, even as political and security obstacles continue to delay its full deployment inside Gaza.

The talks come as the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has monitored the frontier region for decades, is expected to wind down by the end of 2026. Several European governments have reportedly expressed support for exploring alternative arrangements to maintain stability in southern Lebanon following the mission’s departure.

According to the Lebanese Presidency, Macron and Aoun discussed possible international participation in a post-UNIFIL security mechanism during a telephone conversation. The French leader indicated he would consult partner nations regarding their willingness to contribute to any future multinational presence.

“President Macron indicated that he would conduct outreach to a number of countries to determine their stance on this step,” the Lebanese Presidency said, noting that preparations would be necessary before UNIFIL’s expected withdrawal process begins in early 2027.

UNIFIL was first deployed in 1978 and was significantly expanded following the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. The mission has since served as a key stabilizing force along the Blue Line, the UN-demarcated boundary separating Lebanon and Israel.

Diplomatic discussions have increasingly focused on how to preserve security coordination and monitoring mechanisms once the current peacekeeping framework concludes. A French proposal under consideration reportedly includes military and civilian options, as well as an alternative delegation structure involving European partners.

According to Lebanese officials, preliminary concepts envision an international force ranging from approximately 2,000 to 5,500 personnel. No final decision has been announced, and consultations among participating countries remain at an early stage.

European nations form the backbone of the current UNIFIL mission. Countries including France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Finland, Austria and Greece contribute substantial numbers of peacekeepers and logistical support.

The two leaders also discussed developments in Lebanese-Syrian relations and ongoing coordination between Beirut and Damascus.

Aoun welcomed recent remarks by Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa affirming Syria’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. According to the Lebanese Presidency, Al-Sharaa reiterated that Syria does not intend to intervene militarily in Lebanon and that any future Syrian role would be conducted exclusively through official Lebanese state institutions.

The discussions highlight broader regional concerns over maintaining security arrangements in southern Lebanon at a time of continued geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing efforts to strengthen state authority along the country’s southern frontier.

Speaking to participants in a reserve combat officers’ training course at Kibbutz Migdal Oz in the occupied West Bank region of Gush Etzion, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s long-term security would depend on maintaining an independent defense industrial base while continuing to value support from key allies.

“I deeply appreciate the support we have received, and which I have also brought over the years, from our American friends,” Netanyahu said. “But today I say: We need our own independent armaments network. We must manufacture our own armaments.”

The remarks come as Israel continues to reassess its security and defense requirements following a period of heightened regional conflict involving Iran and Tehran-backed armed groups across the Middle East.

Netanyahu said Israel had inflicted significant damage on its adversaries but cautioned that broader security challenges remained unresolved.

“Where we will be 30 years from now depends on our strength,” he said, underscoring the need for sustained investment in military production, technological innovation and leadership development within the armed forces.

Israel maintains one of the world’s most advanced defense sectors, producing a wide range of military equipment including missile defense systems, drones, armored vehicles, precision-guided munitions and cybersecurity technologies. However, the country also relies heavily on strategic military cooperation with the United States, which remains its largest defense partner and supplier of advanced weapons systems.

Netanyahu’s comments reflect growing emphasis within Israeli security circles on ensuring uninterrupted access to critical military equipment during periods of conflict, particularly as regional tensions continue to evolve.

The prime minister also highlighted the importance of integrating emerging technologies into future military planning and preparing a new generation of commanders capable of addressing threats across multiple operational fronts.

His remarks came amid ongoing concerns over Iran’s military capabilities and the activities of Tehran-aligned groups operating across the region. Netanyahu reiterated that Israel remains focused on maintaining a qualitative military advantage and preserving its ability to respond independently to security threats.

The speech forms part of a broader national debate over defense preparedness, strategic autonomy and the future direction of Israel’s military-industrial policy as regional security dynamics continue to shift.

The agreement, signed on June 14 and scheduled for an official ceremony in Switzerland on June 19, includes provisions for an “immediate and permanent” end to military operations and outlines commitments by Iran to pause nuclear enrichment activity in exchange for sanctions relief and the release of frozen funds, though several terms remain subject to final negotiations.

Iran has sought broad economic relief as part of the arrangement, including the lifting of sanctions and access to frozen assets, while Iranian state media has cited a draft proposal that reportedly includes the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds during the negotiating period, though this has not been confirmed by either side.

A central obstacle lies in the United Nations Security Council’s “snapback” mechanism under Resolution 2231, which allowed for the reimposition of previously lifted sanctions on Iran following a notification of non-compliance by France, Germany and Britain in August 2025, resulting in sanctions being restored in September 2025.

Those measures include restrictions on Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes, asset freezes, travel bans and limits on Iranian banks’ access to the global financial system, and remain in force despite the US-Iran agreement, which does not affect UN-level restrictions.

The legal framework governing the sanctions means that while the United States can adjust its own unilateral measures, any reversal of UN sanctions requires consensus among Security Council members, a process complicated by deep divisions over the legality of the snapback mechanism.

China and Russia have challenged the legitimacy of the reimposed sanctions, arguing that earlier UN resolutions had expired, while Western states including the US, France and Britain maintain that the mechanism was properly triggered and therefore binding.

Analysts say this divergence has created an uneven enforcement environment in which some states continue limited trade with Iran while others adhere to restrictions, limiting the effectiveness of both sanctions and potential relief.

Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group said lifting UN sanctions would require full Security Council agreement, noting that the sanctions cover multiple regimes targeting Iran’s nuclear programme, missile development, financial networks and related assets.

Iranian officials have indicated they will seek a new Security Council resolution to endorse any final agreement, a move that analysts say could provide legal clarity and international legitimacy but would require unanimous approval among permanent members of the Council.

The outcome of the ongoing negotiations will therefore depend not only on bilateral US-Iran terms but also on whether the Security Council can bridge its divisions over the snapback sanctions framework, which remains a central point of contention in the implementation of any broader settlement.

The Israeli military said warning sirens were activated following the suspected aerial incursion but provided no immediate details on the origin of the aircraft or whether it had been intercepted.

The alert came hours after Lebanon announced a limited ceasefire arrangement aimed at reducing hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.

According to Lebanon’s embassy in Washington, the agreement calls for Israel to halt strikes on Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut while Hezbollah suspends attacks on Israeli territory. The arrangement does not constitute a full ceasefire and does not end the broader conflict.

The latest security alert underscores continued tensions along the Israel-Lebanon front despite diplomatic efforts to contain the fighting, which has intensified alongside wider regional instability linked to the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The statement by Kataeb Hezbollah security chief Abu Mujahid Al-Assaf comes amid heightened tensions following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in late February, a conflict that triggered a series of drone and rocket attacks by factions operating under the banner of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq against U.S. interests in the country.

Washington responded with strikes on facilities and bases linked to the groups, including Kataeb Hezbollah, killing dozens of fighters, according to the organization and regional media reports.

Since assuming office in mid-May, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi has pledged to ensure that weapons remain exclusively in the hands of the state, a longstanding objective of successive Iraqi governments seeking to strengthen state authority and limit the influence of armed non-state actors.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Al-Assaf said “militant action is today a collective duty, and we will carry it out on behalf of the brothers who have decided to abandon it,” signaling that the group intends to continue its activities even as some allied factions move toward closer cooperation with state institutions.

While several Iran-backed factions have reportedly agreed to operate under official structures, Kataeb Hezbollah remains among the groups rejecting discussions on disarmament under what it characterizes as U.S. pressure.

Al-Assaf indicated that the organization was prepared to coordinate with other factions that no longer wished to maintain independent arsenals. He said Kataeb Hezbollah could supervise the transfer and storage of weapons and receive specialized systems, including cruise missiles, arguing that state agencies lacked personnel with the necessary expertise to manage such equipment.

The group has consistently linked any discussion of its weapons to the continued presence of foreign troops in Iraq. Kataeb Hezbollah maintains that it will not consider disarmament while international forces remain deployed in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region as part of the U.S.-led coalition established in 2014 to combat Islamic State militants.

The coalition is scheduled to conclude its mission in the Kurdistan region by September, a timeline that has become a key reference point in Iraq’s debate over the future role of armed factions and the country’s security architecture.

In an initial statement, the military reported that warning sirens had sounded in the area of Sasa and surrounding communities after systems detected what was believed to be a hostile aircraft entering Israeli airspace.

Following an assessment, the military said the alert had been caused by a mistaken identification and that no hostile aerial object had entered the area.
“The sirens warning of a hostile aircraft infiltration were determined to have been a false identification,” the military said in a statement.

No injuries or damage were reported.

The incident occurred as Israel remains on heightened alert due to continuing regional security tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran and recent missile and drone activity across the region.

False alarms have become increasingly sensitive security events as Israeli air-defense and early-warning systems operate under elevated readiness conditions amid concerns over potential aerial threats, including drones, missiles and other unmanned platforms.

Israeli authorities did not provide further details regarding the nature of the misidentification or the systems involved in triggering the alert.

In separate warnings posted on social media, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee urged civilians to leave targeted areas immediately and move to safer locations ahead of anticipated strikes.

The initial warning covered 10 villages, most of them located in southern Lebanon, where residents were instructed to relocate at least 1,000 meters from their homes. The Israeli military said the measures were necessary because of what it described as Hezbollah violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Later in the day, Adraee issued a second evacuation notice directed at residents of one building in Rashidiyeh and two buildings in Burj Al-Shamali, both near the city of Tyre. The military alleged that the sites were located near facilities used by Hezbollah and ordered residents to move at least 300 meters away.

The warnings marked the latest escalation in a conflict that has continued despite a ceasefire that came into force on April 17. Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire on an almost daily basis since then, raising concerns about the stability of the truce and the potential for broader regional escalation.

Israeli forces have repeatedly targeted locations in and around Tyre that they say are connected to Hezbollah operations. The strikes have caused significant damage in several neighborhoods and contributed to recurring waves of civilian displacement.

Lebanese authorities say Israeli military operations since early March have killed more than 3,100 people, although the figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. The casualty toll has become a central point of contention as diplomatic efforts to reinforce the ceasefire continue.

The Israeli military separately announced that one of its soldiers was killed in southern Lebanon on Sunday. According to Israeli figures, the death brought to 23 the number of soldiers killed since the outbreak of hostilities with Hezbollah. One civilian contractor has also been reported killed.

The latest evacuation orders came as Lebanon observed Resistance and Liberation Day, a national holiday commemorating Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000. Lebanese leaders used the occasion to call for solidarity with communities affected by the continuing violence rather than celebrations.

The renewed warnings underscore the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the persistent security challenges along the Israel-Lebanon border, where military activity and civilian displacement remain ongoing concerns.

The blast occurred in the Bab Sharqi district of the Syrian capital while army personnel were dismantling another explosive device discovered near the same location, the ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry, “a car bomb exploded in the same area, resulting in the martyrdom of one soldier and injuries to others.”

A source from Syria’s civil defense services said at least one person had been killed in the explosion, though casualty figures had not been independently confirmed.

An AFP correspondent at the scene reported hearing a powerful explosion before witnessing a vehicle engulfed in flames near the defense-related building. Security forces quickly sealed off the surrounding area and deployed heavily across the neighborhood.

Authorities have not publicly identified those responsible for the attack, and no group immediately claimed responsibility.

The incident underscores ongoing security challenges in Syria despite a relative reduction in large-scale fighting following years of civil war and political instability.

Damascus has periodically experienced bombings, targeted attacks and security operations involving militant cells, particularly around government and military facilities.