Israel’s Gaza Strategy – Main Points: • Phase One: Israel intends to occupy Gaza in stages, beginning with Gaza City — but not immediately and not the entire Strip at once. • Evacuation Plan: A notice will be issued for the evacuation of Gaza City, home to roughly 900,000 to 1 million people, to allow time for the setup of field hospitals and humanitarian camps in central Gaza. • Timeline: This preparation is expected to take several weeks. No IDF combat operations are planned during this period, partly due to international pressure. • Targeting Gaza City: The occupation will begin after the evacuation, focusing on Gaza City, viewed as the symbolic and strategic center of the Strip. • Trump’s Involvement: President Trump is expected to announce an increase in humanitarian aid centers—from 4 to 16 daily—backed by $1 billion in funding from the U.S. and international partners. • Objective: Deliver aid directly to civilians, bypassing Hamas, particularly as Israeli forces move into Gaza City. • Hostage Situation: While some hostages may be in Gaza City, most are believed to have been relocated. Hamas has a history of moving captives ahead of IDF advances. • What Comes Next: A full occupation isn’t planned right away. Officials hope the fall of Gaza City and aid bypassing Hamas will increase pressure on the group to surrender, negotiate, or release hostages.

Although President Donald J. Trump described today’s meeting between his Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin as having made “great progress,” he announced this morning a 25% increase in tariffs on goods imported from India, citing India’s continued oil trade with Russia. The White House also confirmed that significant primary and secondary sanctions against Russia are still expected to be implemented following the President’s Friday deadline.

White House Official: “The meeting with Russia and Special Envoy Witkoff went well. The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States. The secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday"

An active shooter situation has been reported at Fort Stewart near Hinesville, Georgia, prompting a lockdown across the base, including Wright and Evans Army Airfields. Multiple casualties have been confirmed, with early reports indicating that up to seven soldiers may have been shot, some potentially fatally. The incident reportedly occurred near the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area. It remains unclear how many shooters may be involved or whether the threat is still active. A large-scale response is underway, involving local, state, and federal law enforcement, including tactical teams from the FBI and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID).

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier today for roughly three hours—the first direct talks between the U.S. and Russia in several months. The meeting focused on potential negotiations to end the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as President Trump’s looming August 8 deadline for imposing major sanctions on Russia. The Kremlin described the talks as “useful and constructive,” while neither Witkoff nor the White House has issued a statement. View quoted note →

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has strongly condemned the new tariffs imposed by President Trump, calling them “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” The ministry emphasized that India will take all necessary steps to defend its national interests in response to the U.S. action.

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio: I’ll continue talks with Witkoff and expect we’ll have an update on Russia later today—whether it’s good news or not.

On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department approved two potential arms deals with Ukraine totaling roughly $204 million. The first package, valued at $104 million, includes equipment, repair services, and sustainment support for M777 Howitzers and related gear. The second, estimated at $99.5 million, covers transportation, consolidation services, and associated equipment. These approvals are part of a recent wave of U.S. military support for Ukraine, with over $855 million in foreign military sales authorized in the past three weeks alone.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a call earlier today with U.S. President Donald J. Trump, describing it as a “constructive conversation” focused on bringing an end to the war in Ukraine. According to Zelensky, the two leaders coordinated their positions on key issues, including Russia’s continued missile and drone strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The discussion also covered the prospect of additional sanctions on Russia, with Trump’s previously mentioned “deadline” for President Vladimir Putin approaching on Friday. Zelensky and Trump further addressed European defense support for Ukraine. Several nations — including the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark — have pledged over $1 billion in U.S.-made military equipment to aid Ukraine. Zelensky added that the two countries also discussed a draft agreement for Ukraine to export military drones to the U.S., as part of their broader defense cooperation.

While strolling across the White House roof earlier today, President Trump was approached by reporters asking what he was building. With a grin, he pointed upward and replied, “Nuclear missiles,” before mimicking a launch into the sky.