Trump claims Gaza deal reached as Iran targets US bases in Kuwait and the region is bracing for what comes next. The US president announced a phased agreement on Thursday night.
But within hours, Iran launched drone strikes on US facilities in Kuwait. The strikes signal that fighting between Washington and Tehran has resumed after a brief lull.
The Guardian’s live coverage on Friday 31 July 2026 shows how fragile the situation remains. Diplomats say hurdles are still blocking any real progress in Gaza.
Trump Announces Phased Gaza Agreement
Donald Trump posted that a deal had been reached. He said Hamas would disarm and Israel would withdraw its forces in carefully structured phases.
“As disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw,” Trump wrote. “An International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force.”
The goal, he said, is to make Gaza safe for residents and neighbors. Senior Hamas officials have reportedly agreed to the broad framework in principle.
But the timing of disarmament is already a flashpoint. Hamas negotiator Ghazi Hamad told newsmen they will not disarm before Israel pulls out.
An Israeli official told Reuters the terms were not satisfactory. Israel demands complete demilitarisation of Gaza as a precondition for any process.
Nine months after a US-brokered ceasefire, talks are still deadlocked over phase two. That phase covers Hamas disarmament and reconstruction of Gaza.
Iran Strikes Back At US Bases
While Gaza talks stalled, fighting resumed between the US and Iran. Iran’s army said it launched drone strikes on Friday targeting US facilities in Kuwait.
The targets included fighter aircraft shelters and satellite communications at Ahmad al-Jaber air base. Iran said the strikes were retaliation for US attacks.
Tehran cited a “brutal attack” on a home on Qeshm Island where three people were killed. US Central Command had not commented at the time of filing.
Qeshm Island stores Iranian attack craft and drones used in the Strait of Hormuz. It has been hit repeatedly by American strikes in recent weeks.
The US military earlier said it carried out a “heavy wave of strikes” against Iran. The exchange marks the latest escalation in the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Regional Spillover Intensifies
The crisis is spreading beyond Gaza and Iran. Saudi Arabia is preparing a major offensive against the Houthis by sea and possibly land in Yemen.
The aim is to break the Houthi chokehold on oil exports through the southern Red Sea. Yemeni sources say Riyadh is mobilizing forces in central Yemen.
Shipping data shows 25 commodity vessels passed Bab el-Mandeb on Thursday. Only two tankers transited the Strait of Hormuz, according to Kpler.
Saudi Arabia also announced a maritime defense alliance of 14 countries. The alliance will secure navigation around Bab al-Mandab amid rising attacks.
Analysts expect oil majors to report big profits. Six of Europe’s largest firms posted $22bn in Q1, up 43% year on year, per Global Witness.
Other Key Developments Friday
An Iranian strike hit a Chinese firm’s building in Kuwait. The building was severely damaged and one worker was killed, Kuwait’s military said.
Hours earlier, Jordan’s air defenses shot down five missiles launched from Iran. The interceptions prevented casualties in northern Jordan.
In Egypt, authorities are analyzing drone fragments from Damietta port. A fire on two gas vessels, one US-owned, was caused by a drone strike.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned of regional escalation. It was the first drone strike on Egypt since the Middle East war began.
The attacks show how far the conflict has spread. From Gaza to Kuwait, Yemen to Egypt, few places feel insulated right now.
What Happens To The Gaza Deal Now
Trump’s announcement gave brief hope. But the details expose deep divisions that could collapse the agreement.
Hamas wants Israeli withdrawal first. Israel wants disarmament first. Without agreement on sequencing, the phases cannot begin.
The International Stabilization Force also remains undefined. Who will contribute troops, and under what mandate, is still unclear.
Palestinians in Gaza City were inspecting the site of an Israeli strike on Wednesday. For them, announcements in Washington feel distant from daily reality.
Aid groups say reconstruction cannot start until security is guaranteed. Until then, Gaza remains under blockade and bombardment.
US Policy Under Pressure
The White House faces pressure on two fronts. It must manage the Gaza negotiations while responding to Iranian attacks on US bases.
Trump’s social media diplomacy has rattled allies. European officials want more consultation before any stabilization force is deployed.
In Congress, lawmakers are split. Some support a tougher line on Iran. Others warn that escalation risks a wider regional war.
The administration says it is coordinating with Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. But trust is thin after months of failed ceasefires.
Military planners are reviewing force protection at all Gulf bases. The Kuwait strike shows US facilities are vulnerable to drone swarms.
What Analysts Are Watching Next
Three things will decide the next week. First, whether Israel accepts any version of the Trump plan without full pre-disarmament.
Second, how Iran responds to further US strikes. Tehran has signaled it will hit back at any “aggression” on its soil or proxies.
Third, whether Saudi Arabia launches its Houthi offensive. That could close the Red Sea to more shipping and spike oil prices.
Markets are already jittery. Insurance rates for vessels in the Gulf have doubled since the Kuwait base attack.
Diplomats at the UN are pushing for emergency talks. But with fighting ongoing, a Security Council resolution looks unlikely.
Trump claims Gaza deal reached as Iran targets US bases in Kuwait captures a moment of false calm. Announcements and airstrikes are happening at the same time.
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For civilians in Gaza, Iran, Israel and the Gulf, the risk is that diplomacy and war run in parallel until something breaks.
The Guardian will continue live updates as the situation develops.
