Egyptian President Sisi pressured Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam to delete a rare statement calling Israel’s Gaza blockade “genocide” and accusing its allies of complicity.

Source: MEE

Azerbaijan to Supply Gas to Syria via Türkiye

- Starting August 1, Azerbaijan will supply 1.2 bcm of gas annually to Syria through Türkiye’s Kilis pipeline.

- The gas will be used in power plants in Aleppo and Homs.

- The deal follows a SOCAR-Syria MoU and includes plans for joint exploration and petrochemical projects.

The President's Men

Trump relies on two Lebanese-origin businessmen for Middle East and Africa policy.

Thomas Barrack advises on Syria and Turkey; he built a $25B real estate empire.

Massad Boulos, tied to West Africa’s auto sector, is also Trump’s in-law and Africa adviser.

Thai artillery units have launched a fire mission targeting Cambodian military positions.

Israel has recalled its negotiators from Doha following new demands from Hamas in response to the latest ceasefire and hostage exchange proposal.

Hamas is seeking the release of a larger number of Palestinian prisoners, including individuals serving life sentences.

Israeli officials emphasized that talks have not collapsed.

Source: Axios

NEW: A Hamas source told Reuters that the negotiations remain at the framework stage and have not yet reached a detailed agreement.

Cambodian troops fire HMG bursts at Thai positions.

Widespread destruction reported in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, following continuous shelling by Cambodian forces.

Somalia and Türkiye have signed an amendment to their 2019 defence agreement, strengthening military cooperation and support.

Signed in Istanbul by Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Fiqi and Türkiye’s Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, the revised protocol boosts training, equipment, and capacity building for the Somali National Army.

Russia has officially commissioned its newest nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, the Knyaz Pozharsky, into the Navy.

Thai Army released footage of a Special Task Force air operation, showing an FPV drone strike on a Cambodian military weapons depot in the Phu Makhuea area of Sisaket Province.

NEW: Israeli army announced that 8 soldiers injured in an operational incident in the Gaza Strip.

Source: Al Jazeera

Syrian Government source on SDF Talks:

Syria rejects threats, preconditions, or separate military blocs outside state authority. Calls to keep weapons or form independent forces contradict the March agreement with Mazloum Abdi.

No armed entity outside the national army is legitimate. Any push for a separate identity is considered separatist and rejected.

Syria remains committed to protecting all citizens and achieving peace through national dialogue.

Source: Al Ekhbariah Syria

Iran's Foreign Minister stated that Tehran will defend its nuclear rights, including uranium enrichment, during talks with the E3 on Friday, according to state media.

He also said that Iran's positions remain "strong" and that uranium enrichment will continue.

Germany aims to recruit up to 40,000 18-year-olds annually for voluntary military service by 2031, offering flexible terms and attractive pay to strengthen its armed forces amid rising security concerns.

The goal: expand the professional army to 260,000 troops and reserves to 200,000 by 2035 as part of NATO’s push to deter Russian aggression.

Source: FT

The IMF has sharply criticized Ukraine's new law that weakens the independence of anti-corruption agencies, warning it could harm economic stability and growth.

President Zelensky signed the bill despite protests from civil society and warnings from Western allies. The IMF says the move “neutralizes” the effectiveness of key institutions vital to Ukraine’s reform agenda.

Source: Bloomberg

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi:

I call on the countries separating us from Palestine to open the crossings for our people to cross to support the Palestinians.

Interesting: Ukrainian reusable FPV drone takes out a Russian Lancet kamikaze UAV.

Iran reaffirms its “unshakable” right to enrich uranium ahead of EU meeting.

Netanyahu:

We will not stand by and watch what is happening to our brothers in Suwayda.

We must demilitarize the area south of Damascus and protect the Druze.

NEW: Explosions were heard at a weapons depot in Yemen’s Al-Anad military base.

Source: Al Masirah