Intelligence Briefing — Friday, July 31, 2026

Gaza Ceasefire and Disarmament The U.S.-led Board of Peace has announced a roadmap for the disarmament of Hamas and other armed factions in the Gaza Strip. The agreement mandates a phased process where Hamas relinquishes its arsenal in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli forces. An International Stabilization Force and a new Palestinian police force will oversee security, transitioning authority to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. The agreement follows prolonged negotiations involving Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye. Regional Escalations and Air Bases Satellite imagery confirms damage at the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait following recent Iranian ballistic missile strikes, with visible burn scars in U.S. storage zones. Iranian military outlets claim the targeting of U.S. facilities at Ahmed Al Jaber air base via UAVs. Iraqi government officials have condemned recent U.S.-Saudi strikes on sites within Iraq, stating that Baghdad did not authorize or receive prior notification of the operations. Tensions remain elevated in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden where naval blockades and diplomatic posturing continue. Frontline Activity and Kinetic Strikes Active fronts saw 12 airstrikes across Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, and Iraq, resulting in 14 fatalities. Drone activity remains high, with 15 reported UAV sorties targeting sites in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq, including the use of Arash-2 systems. Artillery exchanges occurred in southern Lebanon near Shama and Shihin, while localized clashes involving small arms were reported in the West Bank.