Russian warships visit Cuba
On July 27, three Russian warships, including the Neustrahimiy patrol ship, the Smolniy training ship and the Yelnya tankers, docked at Havana (Cuba) during the second friendly visit in two months. The Cuban government has described the visit as a historic custom of the country.
The Baltic fleet ships remained until July 30. Previously, in June, a Russian nuclear warship and captained a convoy in Havana. Despite increased US-Russia tensions, the US said the Russian naval activities did not pose a direct threat.
Israel bombs targets in Lebanon
Early on July 28, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes on many targets in Lebanon. The strikes targeted Hezbollah's arsenal and infrastructure in Chabriha, Borj El Chmali, Beqaa, Kfarkela, Rab El Thalathine, Khiam and Tayr Harfa.
The airstrike came after a missile attacked the village of willal Shams, killing 12 people, mostly children. Israel accused Hezbollah of being behind the attack, but the group denied it. The Israeli Foreign Minister warned of the risk of a "comprehensive war" with Hezbollah.
Israel declares the killing of senior Hezbollah commander
On July 30, the Israeli military announced that it had killed Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander, in an airstrike in Beirut. The attack was in retaliation for a cross-border missile attack on July 27 that killed 12 Israeli youth, which Israel blamed Hezbollah.
Hezbollah denied involvement in the missile attack. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that Shukr, a key assistant to Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, had been killed. The airstrike killed three people and injured 74 others.
Hamas leader assassinated in Tehran
On July 31, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and an Iranian bodyguard were assassinated at Haniyeh's residence in Tehran, Iran, according to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Hamas accused Israel of carrying out the raid.
Ismail Haniyeh, one of Hamas' top leaders, arrived in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Iran's newly elected president. Israel previously announced that it would assassinate Haniyeh after Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. More than 39,360 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began.
The mastermind of the September 11 terrorist attack admitted to being guilty after 23 years
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the September 11 terrorist plot, and two accomplices have agreed to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty, the Pentagon confirmed on July 31. Mohammed, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi will all receive life sentences.
The deal helped close a multi-year case in the US. Chief Prosecutor Aaron Rugh said the three defendants had pleaded all charges, including the murder of 2,976 people in the indictment. The three defendants are currently being held at the Guantanamo Bay military base and will be able to file a plea in court as early as next week.
Russia - US exchange largest Prisoner of the Cold War
Russia and the US held their largest Prisoner exchange since the Cold War on August 1 at Ankara Airport, Turkey. A total of 26 prisoners, including 2 children, were exchanged.
The White House confirmed that 16 prisoners were released back to Europe and the US, including reporter Evan Gershkovich. Russia has released eight prisoners from the US, Norway, Germany, Poland and Slovenia. The deal, which has been in place for more than 18 months, involves prisoner Vadim Krasikov. Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin both confirmed the event.
