Here are Saturday’s latest updates on Gaza, the West Bank and the Middle East:
■ Iran’s leadership on Saturday maintained its blockage of the internet for the second day amid snowballing mass protests in a number of cities, network observers reported. One doctor told Time Magazine that hospitals in Tehran have recorded at least 217 protester deaths, “most by live ammunition.”
■ U.S. President Donald Trump wrote, “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” on Truth Social on Saturday night in response to the ongoing protest wave in Iran, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that “Europe stands fully behind” the Iran protesters.
■ The United States Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, criticized the recent clashes between the Syrian army and Kurdish forces in Aleppo that have displaced tens of thousands, saying that they are “deeply concerning” undermine the Syrian government’s commitment to the U.S. vision for a “sovereign, unified Syria.”
■ Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ intelligence wing said it had arrested a foreigner suspected of spying for Israel, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday.
■ Two protesters were injured after right-wing influencer Roi Star sprayed them with pepper spray during a confrontation at the anti-government demonstration in Habima Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday night. Police subsequently arrested Star.
■ The IDF announced that earlier on Saturday, Israeli troops killed three Palestinians “who crossed the Yellow Line and approached the troops, posing an immediate threat to them.”