New Pentagon budget documents reveal that the US spent nearly $500M on THAAD interceptor missiles to defend Israel from hundreds of Iranian ballistic missiles during the June conflict.

Each THAAD missile costs $12.7M, with 100–150 missiles reportedly used.

Lawmakers must now approve emergency funding to replenish US missile stockpiles.

Source: Business Insider

United Arab Emirates may downgrade ties with Israel, including potentially withdrawing its ambassador, if the Netanyahu government annexes the West Bank, though it is not considering fully cutting ties.

Source: Reuters

The EU plans to propose its 19th sanctions package on Russia as early as Friday, targeting crypto, banks, energy, and Russian oil trade networks.

Source: Bloomberg

NEW: Two Israeli soldiers killed and eight others injured in an IED explosion in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.

Source: Al Jazeera

Around 800,000 people across France joined a major strike, disrupting schools, transport, and hospitals as unions united to oppose budget cuts and demand action on wages, pensions, and public services.

Police used tear gas to disperse protesters in some cities.

Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron will present photos and scientific evidence in a US court to disprove claims by right-wing influencer Candace Owens that Brigitte was born male.

Source: BBC

Ukrainian Defense Minister:

Ukraine will provide Poland with access to systems tracking drones coming towards Poland.

Obama:

Autocrats around the world think that they have a license now. Because they think that America is doing the same things as them.

UK police arrested three people in Essex on suspicion of spying for Russia.

Source: BBC

US Representative Troy Nehls:

If Charlie Kirk lived in the Biblical times, he'd have been the 13th disciple.

Mossad Director David Barnea:

We now have operational capabilities that are even more imaginative and powerful than before, especially inside Iran and even in the heart of Tehran.

Trump administration will prioritize federal grants for programs promoting “patriotic education,” saying it inspires love for the US.

Source: Reuters

Turkish President Erdogan:

We are neither guests nor occupiers in this region, we have been its hosts for a thousand years and will remain here until the end of time.

Turkish President Erdogan:

We ruled for centuries on lands where those who challenge us came just 2 or 3 generations ago.

Turkish President Erdogan on Gaza:

Strongest response to this 23-month-long genocide witnessed by all humanity comes from Türkiye and its nation.

Israeli military says it has received a report of a shooting at the Allenby Crossing in the Jordan Valley, and details are under investigation.

Source: Reuters

A person confirmed dead.

Source: Israeli Channel 12

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned, saying Unilever has “silenced” the brand’s activism to avoid upsetting those in power.

Greenfield cited conflicts over social justice stances, including Israel-Palestine issues.

The death toll is now two.

Zelensky visited the frontline in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.

Trump:

We will have more than $17 trillion invested in our country this year.

(That’s more than half of total US GDP.)