“For months, the Israeli government had focused on negotiating a two-phased deal for a 60-day cease-fire in Gaza and the release of some hostages, leaving discussions about a permanent end to the war for a later stage,” the New York Times reports.

“With the talks now at an impasse, American and Israeli officials appear to be sharply changing their tone by signaling that they will push for a comprehensive deal. But Israel and Hamas remain far apart, and it was unclear if a new approach would be more likely to secure an agreement.”

Wall Street Journal: “In a land famed for its neutrality and order, the Swiss reacted with shock and confusion to Trump’s decision to impose a 39% tariff—higher than all but three nations on last week’s executive order: Laos, Myanmar and Syria. Switzerland is one of the few nations whose Aug. 1 tariff rate was higher than Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ threats in April.”

“The move upended months of negotiations in which Swiss officials believed they were on the verge of securing a favorable deal.”

“Emaciated and pale, Evyatar David, a 24-year-old Israeli hostage, was filmed by his Hamas captors digging his own grave in a cramped underground tunnel, one of a series of videos that Palestinian militants have released in recent days of emaciated Israeli hostages,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“David and another hostage, 21-year-old Rom Braslavski, also shown emaciated and weak, beg to be freed in the videos, warning that their deaths are near. They criticize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for ignoring their plight.”

“Chinese hackers are targeting more sensitive U.S. targets than ever — not to smash and grab, but to bide their time,” Axios reports.

“Beijing is investing in stealthy, persistent access to U.S. systems — quietly building up its abilities to disrupt everything from federal agencies to water utilities in the event of escalation with Washington.”

“Indian officials said on Saturday that they would keep purchasing cheap oil from Russia despite a threat of penalties from President Trump, the latest twist in an issue that New Delhi thought it had settled,” the New York Times reports.

“The defiance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government reflected increasing frustration with a relationship that was once much praised but has been souring rapidly. There is a growing sense in India that its leaders should not allow increasingly volatile American policymaking to shape its choices on vital energy supplies for its huge population, 1.4 billion people.”