Hamas announces dissolution of Gaza governing body

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

Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments
  

• Lebanese president calls Israeli occupation a barrier to peace
• Iran accuses Germany of complicity over Strait of Hormuz remarks
• UN hails 'any step that contributes' to Gaza truce 
• Hamas announces dissolution of Gaza governing body
• Iranian army chief says Tehran will not abandon quest for justice

Oil tanker hit by 'unknown projectile' in Strait of Hormuz region: maritime agency

Published: July 7, 2026 | 00:11 GMT | by AFP

An "unknown projectile" struck and caused a fire on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, British maritime security agency UKMTO said.

"A tanker has reported being hit by an unknown projectile on the port side causing a fire, whilst travelling southbound," UKMTO said, adding that there were no reports of casualties or environmental impact.

Lebanese president calls Israeli occupation a barrier to peace

Published: July 6, 2026 | 22:30 GMT | by Web Desk

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun says continued “Israeli occupation prevents the deployment of the army and is not in the interest of achieving our goals and those of Washington”, Al-Jazeera reported.

Aoun made the comments as Israeli air strikes continued in southern Lebanon, killing at least four people, including a married couple, it added.

“There is no place for civil war in Lebanon despite some attempts to incite strife,” he said.

Egypt coach Hassan says Palestinian suffering 'a shame on the world'
Published: July 6, 2026 | 23:43 GMT | by AFP

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said at the World Cup on Monday that the suffering of the Palestinian people was a "shame on the world" as he called on football to do more to come to their aid.

Hassan waved a Palestinian flag after the Pharaohs beat Australia on penalties to reach the World Cup last 16, where they will meet defending champions Argentina on Tuesday.

"If there is someone who has not felt the suffering of the Palestinian people then he or she has no humanity," Hassan said in a lengthy address to a question on the subject at his pre-match press conference in Atlanta.

"I would like to say this is a shame on us. A shame on the entire world, not just the Arab world, a shame on everyone and a shame on first of all decision makers who leave human beings behind."

Iran accuses Germany of complicity over Strait of Hormuz remarks

Published: July 6, 2026 | 21:47 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran has sharply criticized Germany after German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Tehran should ultimately bear the costs of any international operation to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz.

Responding on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the remarks, describing the German minister's rhetoric as "utterly shameful" and accusing Berlin of distorting reality. In a strongly worded statement, Baghaei said Germany must be held accountable for what he called its "complicity in military aggression against Iran" and alleged role in an "illegal war" against the country.

Invoking Faust by German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Baghaei compared Germany's position to "Mephistopheles," saying Berlin's stance reflected a "grotesque distortion of reality." He further asserted that "no amount of offensive posturing" would allow Germany to escape responsibility for its alleged role in aggression and war crimes against the Iranian people.

Hamas announces dissolution of Gaza governing body

Published: July 6, 2026 | 10:43 GMT | by  AFP

Palestinian movement Hamas announced Monday the dissolution of the body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, clearing the way for a technocratic committee to implement civilian rule.

The move marks a significant political shift by Hamas, which has run Gaza since 2007 after winning legislative elections the previous year.

Since a ceasefire took effect in Gaza last October between Hamas and Israel, the group has repeatedly said it is prepared to step aside from day-to-day governance, but the thorny issue of its disarmament remains unresolved.

"The head of the government's emergency committee Mohammed al-Farra has officially submitted his resignation," Ismail al-Thawabta, head of Hamas' government media office told AFP.

"He has also decided to dissolve the committee to facilitate the administrative and governmental transition to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG)."

The NCAG was created by the Board of Peace that US President Donald Trump established when he brokered the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in October 2025.

"Hamas has taken a new step in that it will no longer be in charge of the Gaza Strip, in order to remove any pretexts for the occupation, which continues its aggression and war of extermination," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP.

 For earlier developments, read our July 6 live blog here