The Trump administration plans to abandon a proposed $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate alleged victims of government “weaponization.”

The fund, created as part of a settlement between Trump and the IRS over leaked tax returns, faced bipartisan criticism.

Source: Axios

Lebanon says Hezbollah has accepted a U.S.-brokered proposal for a mutual halt in attacks.

Under the deal, Israel would stop strikes in Beirut’s southern Dahiyeh district, while Hezbollah would stop attacks on Israel.

Netanyahu:

I spoke this evening with President Trump and told him that if Hezbollah does not stop attacking our cities and our citizens, Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut.

Our position on this remains unchanged.

At the same time, the IDF will continue to operate as planned in southern Lebanon.

Radio host Sid Rosenberg urges Jews not to conceal their identity:

Don't hide your yarmulkes. Don't conceal who you are. Be proud.

NOTE: We don't know why he looks purple.

NEW: IRGC Navy claims responsibility for a cruise missile strike on the MSC Sariska, describing it as retaliation for a US military attack on the Iranian vessel Lian Star in the Oman Sea.

The IRGC called the MSC Sariska "American-Zionist-owned" and warned that any further US aggression in the region "will be met with a decisive response."

WATCH: New footage circulating today shows Israeli strike on Iran's Mobin Energy petrochemical facility in Asaluyeh.

The April 6 attack that knocked out power and utilities across the South Pars complex, which accounts for roughly half of Iran's petrochemical output.

Malaysia’s Defence Minister slams Norway after Malaysia’s missile contract was cancelled:

Malaysia deeply regrets Norway's decision to cancel the export of the naval strike missile system intended for Malaysia.

It raises a deeply troubling question about whether international agreements and strategic partnerships can still be trusted at all.

If even a nation well known for awarding the Nobel Peace Prize could abandon commitments without consequences, then international relations are no longer governed by principles.

They are governed by personal whim — and that is extremely dangerous.

When developing nations violate agreements they face condemnation and pressure.

But when powerful countries or their allies do the same, the international response becomes conspicuously muted.

This deafening silence sends a dangerous message that some countries are simply above scrutiny.

Chinese PLA Major General Meng Xiangqing:

The risk of global nuclear conflict is rising.

In the Palestine-Israel conflict, an Israeli cabinet minister shockingly suggested using nuclear weapons in Gaza. This shows the threat of nuclear war is not remote.

A series of nuclear arms control guardrails have collapsed.

The two countries with the largest nuclear arsenals have entered the vacuum with no treaties, no verification, and no dialogue.

Chinese PLA Major General Meng Xiangqing on Japan:

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trials, which nailed the crimes of Japanese militarism forever to the pillar of historical shame.

Yet today certain forces openly glorify war crimes and attempt to challenge the verdict.

Can a country that has not thoroughly liquidated the toxic legacy of militarism be qualified to talk about international defense cooperation?

Can it win the trust of Asian countries that it invaded? I deeply doubt it.

Japan is pushing to revise its pacifist constitution and the three non-nuclear principles, and seeking to have allies deploy nuclear weapons on its soil.

Russia’s UN Envoy Nebenzya on Russian drone attack on Romania:

If such a drone had indeed hit the roof of a building, the consequences would not have been limited to the fire shown by Romanian media.

The roof would have been destroyed completely.

Trump:

A peace agreement with Iran could be even better than a military victory.

Source: ABC

Trump:

There was a little glitch today — the Iranians were upset about Israel's attacks on Lebanon.

So I spoke with Hezbollah and said no shooting, and I talked to Bibi and said no shooting, and they both stopped shooting each other.

Source: ABC

France's UN Envoy Jérôme Bonnafont slams Israel on Lebanon occupation:

Nothing can justify the prolongation and the scale of these Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

This is a major strategic error for Israel.

Israel is reviving a period that we wanted to believe was over. History warns us: the same causes have every chance of producing the same effects.

Far from bringing security to Israel and its inhabitants, a new occupation risks only fueling instability.

Each bombarded and razed village, each civilian killed strengthens Hezbollah and weakens the Lebanese executive.

Israel's security is found neither in war nor in occupation. It resides in peace with its neighbors and in the stability of the region.

Trump on why he hasn't signed Iran deal yet:

I still have to get a few more points.

I think you're talking about over the next week.

But we're getting what we need to get.

Source: ABC

Trump:

I had a conversation with Bibi Netanyahu today, asking him not to go into a major raid of Beirut, Lebanon.

He turned his Troops around. Thank you Bibi! Likewise, Israel agreed to stop shooting at them.

Let’s see how long that lasts — Hopefully it will be for ETERNITY!

Trump to Netanyahu on his phone call today:

You're f*cking crazy.

You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your ass.

Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.

Source: Axios

Ukrainian Patriot system intercepts a Russian Iskander missile before impact in Kyiv.

The situation in the Kyiv Metro amid heavy Russian attacks.

The U.S. is considering deploying nuclear-capable assets to additional NATO countries in Europe.

While no agreement is expected soon, Poland and some Baltic states are reportedly interested in hosting bases for dual-capable aircraft that can carry nuclear weapons.

Source: FT