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US top Middle East commander visits deployed aircraft carrier, and other Mideast news
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- Adm. Brad Cooper, U.S. Central Command chief, concluded a 10-day Middle East tour by visiting the USS Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, highlighting the carrier's record 240+ day deployment supporting U.S. operations against Iran amid mental health and supply concerns.
- Israel conducted strikes in southern Lebanon targeting two Hezbollah commanders, killing at least 11 people, marking the deadliest attacks since a June truce; Israel accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire by attacking Israeli soldiers first.
- A Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo for ceasefire talks with Egyptian officials, amid ongoing mediation efforts to implement a peace roadmap calling for Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from parts of Gaza.
- Iran accused Qatar of holding three Iranian pilots missing since March after their jets were downed, urging Qatar to allow investigations, while Qatar denied the claims and stated that one pilot's remains were recovered by its search teams.
