Israel Intensifies Strikes; U.S. Shifts Mideast Policy

Israeli military operations have intensified in southern Lebanon, with the IDF claiming to have destroyed Hezbollah sites and killed a key Hezbollah commander, while drone strikes in northern Lebanon reportedly targeted a Hamas operative, though Hamas denies any casualties. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu met with U.S. President Trump in Washington to discuss efforts to free Gaza hostages and move toward a ceasefire with Hamas, amid reports that a deal may be near. President Trump signaled a shift in U.S. Middle East policy by lifting sanctions on Syria and suggesting potential relief for Iran, conditional on normalization with Israel. In the U.S., risks for activists and dissenters have increased, highlighted by the role of the Canary Mission website in targeting pro-Palestinian voices, alongside ongoing protests demanding an end to the Gaza conflict. Within Israel, concerns are rising over the growing influence of religious extremism within the Likud party and the potential erosion of democratic processes ahead of the next election. These developments reflect heightened regional tensions and significant shifts in both international and domestic policy landscapes.