The Israeli government approved a plan to purchase new fighter squadrons from U.S. firms worth billions of dollars, securing massive profits for the military-industrial complex, while the Lebanese Health Ministry reported 2,679 deaths and 8,229 wounded from Israeli strikes since the war began 2 months ago. This military acquisition is part of a larger plan with a designated budget of 350 billion shekels ($118.9 billion), according to the Israeli Defense Ministry.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced his country would allow ships belonging to "uninvolved countries" to safely exit the Strait of Hormuz beginning Monday morning, Middle East time. Trump stated on Truth Social that this action was "For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States," and that the ships were "merely neutral and innocent bystanders" from countries "almost all of which are not involved in the Middle Eastern dispute."
Who Profits from Perpetual War
Trump also warned that "If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully." This statement follows his Friday declaration that the U.S. Navy was acting "like pirates" in carrying out Washington's naval blockade of Iranian ports during the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran. Despite these actions, Trump noted that his representatives are having "positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all." However, Trump later expressed skepticism that a new Iranian proposal, which he will soon review as part of ongoing negotiations, would be acceptable.
A bulk carrier near the Strait of Hormuz was attacked by multiple small craft, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported Sunday. All crew aboard the unidentified carrier were safe after the attack off Sirik, Iran, with the report warning vessels to transit with caution in the strategic waterway.
The Human Cost of Imperialism
The IDF killed a Palestinian who approached the IDF-controlled Yellow Line in the northern Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported that the IDF killed one person and wounded four in a raid in Nablus. The Israeli military also stated it destroyed a Hezbollah tunnel in Southern Lebanon measuring approximately 80 meters. The Israeli Air Force intercepted a drone that triggered sirens in Yiron, a Kibbutz near Israel's border with Lebanon, before it entered Israeli airspace. The army said "Missiles and rocket alerts were activated due to concerns of falling debris from the interceptor" and that it attempted to intercept two drones near Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, with "The results of the interception are under review."
The International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza announced the departure of four new ships as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, according to a report by the Palestinian radio station Ajyal. This organized resistance effort follows the Israeli naval seizure of previous freedom flotilla vessels off the coast of Crete, which resulted in the detention of two Gaza flotilla detainees whose detention was subsequently extended by two days.
State Violence and Internal Contradictions
Police detained 21 suspects who allegedly attempted to carry out a Passover sacrifice on the Al-Aqsa compound/Temple Mount. Jordan's military carried out airstrikes against sites belonging to weapons and drug traffickers in southern Syria near the countries' shared border. This operation was aimed at preventing the smuggling of arms and narcotics into Jordan.
Internally, Shin Bet Chief David Zini froze all appointments within the security agency, Kan 11 reported. This decision came after Zini decided to reassess the organization's appointments mechanism amid disagreements with agency department heads. Key positions within the agency, including head of the Gaza department, have for some time been temporarily filled by acting officials rather than permanent appointments. The report indicated that the crisis between Zini and senior officials stems from what many inside the organization perceive as Zini's lack of understanding of professional matters, coupled with a management style that has created strained working relationships, with officials stating he tends to silence anyone whose opinion he dislikes and consistently refuses to hear opposing views in meetings.