Israeli forces shot and killed Mustafa Taha Mustafa al-Khatib, 32, inside his home in the West Bank village of Sarta near Salfit on Thursday, according to Palestinian reports.
Palestinian sources said Israeli troops raided the village early in the morning and opened fire on Khatib while he was inside his home, adding that his body was not taken by the military.
The IDF said forces opened fire after al-Khatib "threw objects at the forces" and that the incident followed a suspect apprehension procedure, including warning shots. A security source said troops entered the village to investigate stone-throwing incidents targeting Israeli vehicles on Route 5. According to the source, al-Khatib threw "plates, bottles, a cabinet and a knife" at the soldiers, prompting return fire.
The military said the operation was part of an ongoing investigation into stone-throwing incidents in the area.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is seeking a deal with Iran but will not accept any agreement "at any price," as he arrived in Bahrain for meetings with Gulf Cooperation Council officials.
"We want a deal with Iran, we don't want a deal at any price," Rubio said, adding that Washington is "open for peace that is enduring and real" and that does not undermine U.S. or allied security and prosperity.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) attends a meeting with foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states in Manama, Bahrain, Thursday.Credit: Eric Lee/AP
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) attends a meeting with foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states in Manama, Bahrain, Thursday.Credit: Eric Lee/AP
He added that the U.S. "while committed to this process," will ensure that "none of the decisions made will counter the interest of our allies and partners," and stressed that Washington wants any agreement to take "into account the interests of allies."
On the disputed status of the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio said, "We won't accept that Hormuz belongs to any nation state," and added that any transit charges should be treated as "a toll… or a fee – at the end of the day it's all semantics."
At earlier stops, he told officials in Kuwait that Washington would not take steps that "undermine the security of our longstanding allies in the region."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain during a visit to discuss the interim U.S.-Iran deal with Arab Gulf allies, in Manama, Bahrain, Thursday.Credit: Eric Lee/REUTERSU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain during a visit to discuss the interim U.S.-Iran deal with Arab Gulf allies, in Manama, Bahrain, Thursday.Credit: Eric Lee/REUTERS
The trip comes as Gulf states voice concern over provisions in the emerging U.S.-Iran understanding, including questions over sanctions relief and maritime arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.
In Bahrain, Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani welcomed Oman's announcement of a corridor for the safe passage of vessels through the strait, as he chaired a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting during Rubio's visit.
Hundreds of protesters demonstrated in the southern Israeli city of Be'er Sheva on Thursday against the planned demolition of homes in the Bedouin village of Tel Arad, gathering outside the Bedouin Development and Settlement Authority.
Protest in Be'er Sheva against the demolition of houses in southern Israel's Tel Arad, Thursday.Credit: Eliahu HershkovitzProtest in Be'er Sheva against the demolition of houses in southern Israel's Tel Arad, Thursday.Credit: Eliahu Hershkovitz
The demonstrators said the state is advancing demolitions and evacuations before a full solution is found for residents. Many held signs reading "The expulsion of the Bedouin will not pass," "No to demolitions, yes to construction," and "Stop the house demolitions."
Several lawmakers joined the protest, including United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas, Ta'al Chairman Ahmad Tibi, Walid Alhwashla, and Ofer Cassif of Hadash-Ta'al.
Rahat Mayor Talal al-Karnawi said, "We want to live in cooperation and peace," adding, "We will plan a tent city at the entrance to Be'er Sheva and at the entrance to Ofakim, where we will live."
Dr. Jamal Zahalka, head of the Higher Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, said, "We are not seeking confrontation, but peaceful solutions," adding that negotiations could be held between public representatives and the government. "Many experts say the land issue can be resolved. But if they force demolitions, land expropriation and transfer on us, we say one word – no."
Israeli soldier Master Sergeant (Res.) Basil Sweid, 32, from the northern Druze–Arab town of Peki'in, was killed on Wednesday during operational activity after a vehicle had overturned in southern Lebanon, according to an IDF statement on Thursday.
The official described the incident as an accident. Another soldier was moderately wounded in the incident and evacuated for medical treatment.
Since the beginning of the current round of fighting in Lebanon on March 2, 37 IDF soldiers have been killed.
Master Sergeant (Res.) Basil Sweid, 32, from Peki'in, killed during operational activity in southern Lebanon.Credit: IDF SpokespersonMaster Sergeant (Res.) Basil Sweid, 32, from Peki'in, killed during operational activity in southern Lebanon.Credit: IDF Spokesperson
Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, spiritual leader of Israel's Druze community, said another Druze "hero" had fallen in the war in Lebanon, adding, "There are no words capable of describing the pain over the loss of a young man in the early years of his life."
Tarif added that Sweid served hundreds of reserve duty days, describing his service as "a mission and a privilege," volunteering for months in an emergency operations center established by the Druze community after violence against Druze in Syria in July 2025. "The Druze community continues to bear a heavy burden and pay a very heavy price. The best of our youth are being cut down."
Tarif said Sweid's death "reflects the partnership of the Druze community in the State of Israel," adding that this partnership "must exist not only on the battlefield but also in civilian life."
Basil SweidCredit: Section 27A of the Copyright Law Basil SweidCredit: Section 27A of the Copyright Law
On Wednesday, an Israeli civilian contractor, identified as Raad Abu al-Kiyan, working with the country's Defense Ministry, was killed in an accident in Gaza, the IDF said. Abu al-Kiyan was killed in a building collapse in the Gaza Strip. According to the IDF, the man, a bulldozer operator, was "an employee working for a contractor company carrying out engineering projects."
Two suspects were arrested on suspicion of threatening anti-Haredi draft demonstrators with a weapon in two separate incidents during a convoy of vehicles on Wednesday, Israeli police said.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish hold placards as they protest against conscription pressure and call for the release of detained draft resisters, in Jerusalem, Wednesday.Credit: Noam Revkin-FentonUltra-Orthodox Jewish hold placards as they protest against conscription pressure and call for the release of detained draft resisters, in Jerusalem, Wednesday.Credit: Noam Revkin-Fenton
One of the suspects, police said, is suspected of not holding a license to possess a weapon.
U.S. President Donald Trump faced pointed criticism over the Iran war during a closed-door Republican meeting on Capitol Hill, including a shouting match with Senator Bill Cassidy, shortly before his administration asked Congress for tens of billions of dollars to fund the conflict.
Lawmakers said Cassidy challenged Trump over a "framework deal" signed last week with Iran, arguing it provides financial incentives to Tehran but does not achieve the administration's stated war objectives.
"The American people need to know more than we are being told," Cassidy told reporters, saying it was unclear whether the war was progressing as initially described.
U.S. President Donald Trump walks off stage after speaking at a rally in celebration of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in Washington, D.C., U.S., Wednesday.Credit: Evan Vucci/REUTERSU.S. President Donald Trump walks off stage after speaking at a rally in celebration of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in Washington, D.C., U.S., Wednesday.Credit: Evan Vucci/REUTERS
Trump did not address the exchange directly but later dismissed a Senate vote to limit presidential war powers as "meaningless," saying it sent the wrong signal internationally.
Hours after the meeting, the White House submitted a request for about $70 billion in additional war funding, adding to the US defence budget.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found only about one in four Americans believes the war is worth its costs, underscoring growing political pressure on Trump ahead of elections.
Cassidy later said he had received a briefing from Vice President JD Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff and was invited to the White House to discuss concerns.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer points to a poster that reads 'If Trump won't end the war, Congress MUST,' at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC, last week.Credit: Getty Images via AFP/ANDREW HARNIKSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer points to a poster that reads 'If Trump won't end the war, Congress MUST,' at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC, last week.Credit: Getty Images via AFP/ANDREW HARNIK
The funding request comes as the U.S.-Iran accord lifts restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days, while oil prices have fallen to pre-war levels amid easing supply fears.
The deal remains disputed across key elements, including sanctions relief and reconstruction funding, and has drawn scepticism from Gulf allies.
U.S. Democratic Senator Chris Coons cast doubt on claims that negotiations between the United States and Iran are progressing smoothly, mocking what he described as conflicting messages from key players involved in the talks.
"How do you know the Iran negotiations are going poorly?" Coons said in a video posted on social media on Tuesday, "Because JD Vance says one thing, Iranian negotiators say another, and Trump tweets about algae in the reflecting pool."
How do you know the Iran negotiations are going poorly? Because JD Vance says one thing, Iranian negotiators say another, and Trump tweets about algae in the reflecting pool.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella for pledging to restore diplomatic relations with Israel, warning that doing so would mean "forgetting the Palestinian genocide."
"Starting relations with Israel and forgetting the Palestinian genocide as one forgets the Colombian genocide is an invitation to repeat it," Petro wrote on social media on Thursday.
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Abrir relaciones con Israel y olvidar el genocidio palestino como se olvida el genocidio colombiano es una invitación a repetirlo.
#Genocidio | Mientras el presidente electo Abelardo de la Espriella anuncia el restablecimiento de relaciones con Israel, una comisión internacional creada por el Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU concluyó que existen motivos razonables para afirmar que Israel ha cometido
Petro: 'Opening relations with Israel and forgetting the Palestinian genocide, just as we forget the Colombian genocide, is an invitation to repeat it.'
Petro, a vocal critic of Israel's war in Gaza, severed diplomatic ties with Israel in 2024, a month after Colombia joined South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
De la Espriella, a far-right lawyer who won Colombia's presidential election, has said he intends to reestablish relations with Israel after taking office.
The Minab school that was damaged in a strike on February 28, 2026.Credit: Majid-Asgaripour/WANA/REUTERSThe Minab school that was damaged in a strike on February 28, 2026.Credit: Majid-Asgaripour/WANA/REUTERS
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday it may never be known who was at fault for a deadly strike on a girls' school in Iran on February 28, the first day of the Iran war, that killed scores of children.
Reuters first reported in March that an initial internal U.S. military investigation showed U.S. forces were likely responsible for the fatal strike in Minab in southern Iran. The Pentagon has since elevated the probe but it has not acknowledged any preliminary findings.
"I don't know that they are ever going to solve that problem," Trump told reporters.
"I don't know that they are ever going to solve that problem in terms of whose fault was it because there were missiles flying all over the place, and it's horrible what happened but there were missiles flying all over the place," he said.
"Somebody said it was our missile, maybe it wasn't our missile but I have seen nothing to lead me to believe it was," Trump remarked, adding: "I don't think it was us."
