Pakistan welcomes disarmament process under Gaza Peace Plan

This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.

Catch up on Thursday's top developments here:

• Ghalibaf says US commits ‘new crime every day'
• Iran’s FO says US attack on Qeshm only ‘make Iranians more determined, united’
• US sanctions six entities and individuals over support for Iran's IRGC
• China rejects report of air-defense missile shipment to Iran
• GCC chief condemns Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Jordan
  

Pakistan PM welcomes disarmament under Gaza Peace Plan

Published: July 31, 2026 | 19:05 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the implementation of the process of disarmament under the Gaza Peace Plan, stating that the mediating countries including the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye, deserved special appreciation for their efforts in achieving this progress. 

"Under President Trump's courageous leadership, this represents a significant achievement for the Board of Peace," the premier said in a post on X.

"Pakistan expresses the hope that with these developments, concrete steps will be taken towards implementing all commitments under the Gaza Peace Plan," he said, adding that Islamabad hoped that the efforts would lead to the realization of the right to self-determination of the people of Palestine

UN chief hails Hamas disarmament deal as rare good news

Published: July 31, 2026 | 15:52 GMT | by AFP

A deal meant to see the disarmament of Palestinian militant group Hamas is a rare piece of good news for the Middle East, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

Referring to nearly six months of US war against Iran — and growing regional spillover — Guterres said the Hamas deal announced late Thursday was an outlier.

"The only good news in recent days is the announcement by the US president of an agreement for Hamas to relinquish their weapons and for Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza," he said.

"Let me be clear: the fighting must stop on all fronts in the region," he said. "We are now six months into the military escalation in the Gulf. What began as a regional conflict is increasingly becoming a driver of global instability."

Lebanon president says Israeli detonations 'direct threat' to Israel deal

Published: July 31, 2026 | 15:52 GMT | by AFP

 
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Friday that Israeli army detonations near the UNESCO-listed Beaufort castle in southern Lebanon overnight were a "direct threat" to a recent framework deal agreed with Israel.

Aoun said the explosions "are an extremely dangerous escalation", according to a statement from his office, adding that they "represent a direct threat to the process which was launched as part of the framework agreement".

 He noted that their timing ahead of another round of talks with Israel in Rome next week "sends negative messages".

Oil prices rise after Iran stops ships in the Strait of Hormuz

Published: July 31, 2026 | 14:37 GMT | by Web Desk

Oil prices have risen after Iran said it had stopped two vessels seeking to exit the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reported. 

Brent crude was up $1.14, or 1.3%, at $90.17 a barrel as of 11:17am in New York (15:17 GMT).

Trump says war ‘going well,’ US troops ‘hitting Iran hard’

Published: July 31, 2026 | 14:37 GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump has told Fox News that Washington and Israel’s war on Iran is “going well”.

Speaking to the US channel’s senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, Trump said US troops are hitting Iran “hard”.

“It’s going well. All you can do is keep winning, then eventually something will happen,” he said.

“But we’re hitting them hard, knocking them out for a loop, and we just keep winning. Eventually they’ll have no choice but to go home.”

Israeli far-right minister says Hamas disarmament deal 'unacceptable'

Published: July 31, 2026 | 13:25 GMT | by AFP

Israel's far-right national security minister slammed as "unacceptable" a deal agreed by Hamas that includes the group handing over its weapons and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

"The assassinations in Gaza must continue, the encouragement of immigration must happen, Israel must win."

Technocratic Palestinian committee to have ‘full independence’: Gaza Board of Peace

Published: July 31, 2026 | 12:38 GMT | by Web Desk

Gaza Board of Peace says Hamas and other Palestinian factions “agree that all civilian governance and security functions in Gaza shall be handed over” to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) — an apolitical, technocratic Palestinian committee tasked with handling day-to-day civil administration inside the territory.

“They also assert that NCAG shall enjoy full independence in carrying out its responsibilities and that the factions shall not interfere in NCAG affairs during the transitional period,” said the board.

“Upon fully assuming its responsibilities in Gaza, NCAG shall maintain the continuity of civilian institutions and public services,” it said.

Hamas says disarmament hinges on Israel’s withdrawal

Published: July 31, 2026 | 11:53 GMT | by Web Desk

The Palestinian group has issued an official statement saying the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal is dependent on Israel’s full implementation of its first phase, including the withdrawal of troops and the cessation of attacks, Al Jazeera reported. 

“The occupation’s commitment to halting the killing is the fundamental prerequisite for proceeding with implementing and establishing a timeline for what has been agreed upon,” Hamas said.

Kuwait shoots down Iranian drones targeting military sites: Defense ministry

Published: July 31, 2026 | 10:53 GMT | by AFP

Kuwait shoots down Iranian drones targeting military sites, AFP reports, qouting the defense ministry

Iran says struck two tankers under US 'air escort' trying to pass Hormuz

Published: July 31, 2026 | 10:31 GMT | by AFP

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Friday that they had struck two tankers attempting to pass though the strategic Strait of Hormuz under the "air escort" of the US military.

The IRGC said the "non-compliant oil tankers... were struck and brought to a halt, while four other oil tankers quickly changed course and returned to their previous positions".

The Guards said the tankers had attempted to pass the strait via "an undeclared route", the US-backed alternative to Tehran's designated waterway closer to its own shores.

Iran has effectively maintained control over navigation through Hormuz since the outbreak of the war on February 28, requiring vessels to obtain permission and pay transit fees before using the waterway.

On Thursday, the Guards said two oil tankers attempting to transit the Strait had turned back after one caught fire.

British Airways parent reports sliding profits on Mideast war

Published: July 31, 2026 | 06:47 GMT | by AFP

IAG, parent group of British Airways and Spanish carrier Iberia, said Friday that its profits slumped in the second quarter as the Middle East war sent jet fuel costs soaring.

Net profit for the April-June period slid 35% to 732 million euros ($843 million) compared with the second quarter of 2025, IAG said in a statement.

Israel carries out massive overnight blasts in southern Lebanon

Published: July 31, 2026 | 06:05 GMT | by Web Desk

Israel carried out a series of powerful overnight explosions in the southern Lebanese areas of Yohmor al-Chqif, Arnoun, and Kfar Tebnit, Al Jazeera reported, quoting Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA). 

The blasts echoed across southern Lebanon, with their impact felt as far away as Iqlim al-Kharrub and Khalde. 

In the Marjayoun district, strong explosions near Beaufort Castle reportedly shattered windows and damaged homes in the nearby town of al-Qlaiaa. 

Residents told NNA that the blasts sent intense shockwaves through the area and left a strong smell of gunpowder in the air.

Iran military says targeted US base in Kuwait with drones

Published: July 31, 2026 | 05:47 GMT | by AFP

Iran's military said on Friday it launched drone strikes targeting US military facilities in Kuwait, as fighting resumed between Washington and Tehran in the Middle East war after a nearly week-long lull.

The army said in a statement it targeted "fighter aircraft shelters, satellite communications systems and equipment storage facilities at Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base in Kuwait".

There was no immediate comment from the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The Iranian army said the strikes came "in response to the recent aggression by the terrorist US military against our country and its brutal attack on a residential home on Qeshm Island."

Oil prices drop, still set for monthly gain of about 20%

 Published: July 31, 2026 | 05:15 GMT | by Web Desk

Oil prices fell on Friday but were still set to post a monthly gain of around 20%, according to Al Jazeera. 

Shipments through key maritime routes increased despite little progress in negotiations between Iran and the United States. 

Brent crude futures declined by $1.03, or 1.2%, to $88 a barrel by 02:15 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped $1.50, or 1.8%, to $82.09 a barrel. Even with Friday's losses, both benchmark contracts were on course to record monthly gains of about one-fifth.

Hamas officials say deal agreed on group's arms, gradual Israel withdrawal from Gaza

Published: July 30, 2026 | 23:57 GMT | by AFP

Senior Hamas officials told AFP on Friday that the agreement reached with Israel includes provisions addressing the group's weapons and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

"An agreement has been reached regarding the issue of weapons... Furthermore, an agreement has been reached on a gradual withdrawal of (Israeli forces)" from the strip, a Hamas official said, adding that the Islamist movement now expects the mediators and the Board of Peace to ensure that Israel complies with the terms of the deal.

Araghchi says Egypt’s security is Iran’s ‘utmost priority’

Published: July 30, 2026 | 22:45 GMT | by Web Desk

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Egypt is “a friend and important partner in the region,” adding that its security constitutes “an utmost priority” for Iran.

In a post on X, Araghchi said all countries “must remain vigilant toward Israeli schemes and ‘false flag’ operations” that he said aim to undermine regional peace.

He added that “the threat is clear, shared, and fears Muslim solidarity.”

Trump says Hamas, armed groups agree to complete disarmament

Published: July 30, 2026 | 22:24 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump said the Board of Peace has reached what he described as a "historic agreement" for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the agreement is a step toward lasting peace and security and would pave the way for Gaza to be governed by a new Palestinian government that will work closely with the Board of Peace.

He said Israel would have "the security it deserves," with Gaza no longer used as a base for what he described as terror attacks.

According to Trump, the agreement is a major milestone in implementing his "Trump 20-Point Plan" and will be carried out in carefully structured phases.

He said that as disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw, while the International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to assume responsibility for Gaza's security.

Trump said that one year earlier there had been a violent war, a humanitarian crisis and hostages held in captivity, adding that "historic progress" had been made but that more work remains.

He thanked Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye for their mediation efforts, as well as his team, which he said made the breakthrough possible.

Trump also said the threat that emerged from Gaza on Oct. 7 "will NOT be allowed to rebuild" and that, under the agreement, Gaza will be governed by a new Palestinian government that serves its people

For earlier developments, read our July 30 live blog here