First Thing: Ceasefire in peril as Israel assaults Lebanon and Iran blocks oil tankers

Key Points:

• The two-week ceasefire in the Iran conflict is at risk as Iran and Pakistan claim it includes Lebanon, while Israel denies this and has intensified bombings there, killing at least 254 people; the UN condemned Israel’s attacks as “horrific.”
• Iran accused Israel and the US of violating the ceasefire and criticized Israel’s bombing of Lebanon and US demands on Iran’s uranium enrichment rights.
• Alexander Heifler, linked to the JDL 613 Brotherhood group that supports violence against Palestinians, was arrested for allegedly plotting to firebomb a pro-Palestine activist’s home; the group’s leaders hold strong anti-Muslim and anti-New York mayor sentiments.
• Hawaii anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig was convicted of attempted manslaughter for trying to kill his wife during a hike, with prosecutors presenting evidence of premeditated plans and backup plans for the attack.
• Oil prices rose amid fears over the fragile ceasefire in Iran, stock markets fell in Asia and Europe, and other notable news includes the FBI arresting a former special operations employee for leaking classified information and a Long Island architect pleading guilty to multiple murders.