Gaza Campaign Initiated, Belarus Ties Forged

The day's editorial priorities shifted notably towards escalating regional military action. Early reports focused on Iran's defense posture, with the Defense Minister declaring new missile capabilities against Israel if attacked again, and ongoing discussions about armed forces readiness and a forthcoming missile exercise. Concurrently, President Pezeshkian's diplomatic efforts continued, with initial coverage of his Armenia trip evolving into his significant visit to Belarus, emphasizing the rejection of Western unilateralism and an agreement to expand military cooperation. By early afternoon, the focus increasingly moved to the escalating situation in Gaza, with widespread reports of Israel calling up 60,000 reserve forces and approving a plan to fully occupy Gaza City. This culminated in evening reports confirming Israel's initiation of the first phase of its planned Gaza City occupation and control over its outskirts, marking a substantial development in the ongoing regional conflict. Discussions regarding the potential activation of the snapback mechanism on Iran's nuclear program also persisted throughout the day.