News Briefing

Breaking News

• Israeli airstrikes killed at least 18 Palestinians, including five children and three women, early Thursday in Gaza City, hitting a multi-story building in the al-Daraj neighborhood and a house in al-Shati refugee camp, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. Rescue workers continued searching for survivors as Israeli ground operations intensified in southern Gaza. →

• Israeli forces kidnapped three Lebanese citizens on Tuesday, while Hezbollah announced the destruction of an Israeli Iron Dome platform using suicide drones in retaliation, Al Jazeera Arabic reported. The abductions and retaliatory strike mark a significant escalation in cross-border hostilities. →

• At least 22 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon over the past 24 hours, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry cited by Al Jazeera English. In a separate incident, an Israeli strike on the town of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr killed four people and wounded over ten, including children and women, Al Quds Al Arabi reported. →

• The Israeli army confirmed the death of Major Itamar Sabir, a company commander, in battles in southern Lebanon, according to RT Arabic. His death underscores the intensity of ground clashes as Israeli operations expand. →

• The Global Sumud Flotilla said Tuesday that Israeli military vessels were attacking and boarding its humanitarian aid fleet for a second time in international waters, as the convoy continues toward Gaza. Organizers reported that 10 boats escaped 22 hours of Israeli attacks, Middle East Monitor reported. →

• The Israeli security cabinet discussed the possible resumption of war against Iran for the second time in 24 hours, following a phone call between Prime Minister Netanyahu and US President Trump to coordinate next steps, according to Hebrew media cited by Middle East Monitor. →

• Palestinian Authority security forces raided the Jenin refugee camp before dawn on Thursday, exchanging heavy fire with local armed groups, wounding at least three Palestinians and arresting eight wanted individuals, according to Ma'an News Agency. Residents reported extensive damage to homes and vehicles. →

• Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unveiled a new underground missile base containing advanced long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel, Tasnim News Agency reported. IRGC commander Major General Hossein Salami said the base represents "a new phase in the Islamic Republic's deterrent power." →

Stories at a Glance

• Israeli forces arrested 22 Palestinians in overnight raids across the occupied West Bank, including two journalists whose equipment was confiscated, bringing the total in administrative detention to over 8,000 according to Wafa. →
• Hezbollah fired guided anti-tank missiles at Israeli military outposts in the occupied Shebaa Farms, hitting their targets, Al Mayadeen TV reported. The Israeli army confirmed the attack and responded with artillery. →
• The United Nations warned that famine conditions are now present in several areas of northern Gaza, with one in four children acutely malnourished, as Israel continues to severely restrict aid entry, according to UN News. →
• The US Central Command said it has redirected 88 commercial vessels and disabled four to enforce the blockade on ships traveling to and from Iranian ports via the Strait of Hormuz, Middle East Monitor reported. →
• The Iranian army warned on Tuesday of opening "new fronts" with "new tools and methods" if the US and Israel launch new strikes, according to Middle East Monitor. →
• Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Tuesday that he had been informed of an international arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court, describing it as "antisemitic," Middle East Monitor reported. →
• A car bomb explosion near a Defense Ministry building in Damascus killed a Syrian soldier and wounded 12, according to the SANA news agency cited by Middle East Monitor. No group claimed responsibility. →

Key Takeaways

• Multi-front escalation intensifies: Israel is simultaneously escalating military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and against Iran, with cabinet discussions on resuming the Iran war suggesting a coordinated strategy with the Trump administration. The killing of an Israeli company commander in southern Lebanon and the loss of an Iron Dome platform indicate Hezbollah's growing effectiveness.
• Diplomatic efforts stall as military action takes precedence: Despite Qatari calls for more time and Pakistani mediation, US-Iran negotiations remain deadlocked, with Washington threatening new strikes. The US blockade on Iranian shipping via the Strait of Hormuz has redirected 88 vessels, crippling Iran's economy.
• Gaza famine becomes reality: The UN's confirmation of famine conditions in northern Gaza, with acute malnutrition among children, underscores the failure of international mechanisms to ensure aid access. Israel's ongoing restriction of supplies is compounded by its interception of aid flotillas.
• PA crackdown in Jenin reflects deepening internal Palestinian divisions: The Palestinian Authority's raid on Jenin refugee camp, exchanging fire with local resistance groups, illustrates the PA's ongoing campaign to assert control at the expense of national unity, while Israel benefits from the fragmentation.
• ICC faces political headwinds but remains a tool of accountability: The reported ICC arrest warrant for Smotrich, along with Ben-Gvir's comments, shows the court's ongoing efforts to target Israeli officials, but US sanctions and Israeli pushback threaten its effectiveness. The case highlights the growing legal pressure on Israeli leaders.

Gaza & Palestine

Israeli airstrikes kill 18 in Gaza City

At least 18 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in a series of Israeli airstrikes on residential neighborhoods in Gaza City early Thursday, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. The strikes hit a multi-story building in the al-Daraj neighborhood and a house in al-Shati refugee camp, with rescue workers still searching for survivors. Medics reported that among the dead were five children and three women. The attacks came as Israeli forces continued their ground push into the southern Gaza Strip, with heavy clashes reported in Khan Younis. Al Quds Al Arabi reported that a source in the resistance said Israeli military pressure will not achieve results, while negotiations remain stalled over the issue of resistance weapons.

UN warns famine in northern Gaza

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned on Wednesday that famine conditions are now occurring in several areas of northern Gaza, with one in four children acutely malnourished, according to UN News. The warning comes as Israel continues to severely restrict the entry of food, water, and medical supplies into the besieged enclave. OCHA said that less than half of requested aid deliveries were facilitated in the past week. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) previously projected famine would occur by May 2025, but the situation has worsened. "We are seeing the catastrophic consequences of a man-made famine," an OCHA spokesperson said.

PA forces raid Jenin camp sparking clashes

Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces launched a major raid in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank before dawn Thursday, exchanging heavy gunfire with local armed groups associated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, according to Ma'an News Agency. At least three Palestinians were reported wounded in the clashes, and PA forces arrested eight wanted individuals. The operation marks an escalation in the PA's ongoing campaign to assert control over the camp, which has been a stronghold of anti-Israeli resistance with little PA authority. Residents reported extensive damage to homes and vehicles as armored vehicles moved in. The raid drew condemnation from factions who called it a betrayal of the Palestinian struggle.

Israeli arrests in West Bank include journalists

The Israeli military arrested 22 Palestinians in overnight raids across the occupied West Bank, focusing on the cities of Hebron, Nablus, and Ramallah, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. Among those detained were two journalists working for local media outlets, whose equipment was confiscated. The arrests bring the total number of Palestinians in Israeli administrative detention to over 8,000, according to Palestinian rights groups. Witnesses said troops used stun grenades and rubber bullets during the raids, causing injuries and property damage. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the detention of journalists as a violation of press freedom.

Gaza aid flotilla attacked again by Israeli forces

The Global Sumud Flotilla said Tuesday that Israeli military vessels were continuing to attack and board its humanitarian aid fleet in international waters as the convoy headed toward the Gaza Strip, according to Middle East Monitor. "Interception continues. IOF military vessels are currently illegally boarding our fleet," the flotilla said in a statement. Organizers also said 10 humanitarian boats had "escaped 22 hours of Israeli attacks in international waters" and were sailing toward Gaza, now just 121 nautical miles from Gaza's shores. Amnesty International condemned Israel's actions as "shameful and inhumane," saying Israel is "using military force to stop solidarity activists from delivering aid to the occupied Gaza Strip, all while continuing to commit genocide." The UN also called for the safe passage of the flotilla, as reported by Anadolu Agency.

Lebanon & Israel-Hezbollah Conflict

Israel abducts three Lebanese, Hezbollah destroys Iron Dome

Israeli forces kidnapped three Lebanese citizens on Tuesday, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. In addition, Israel issued evacuation warnings for 12 Lebanese towns. Hezbollah responded by targeting Israeli positions and vehicles with suicide drones, announcing the destruction of an Israeli Iron Dome missile defense platform. The abductions mark a serious escalation, as Lebanon previously warned that such actions threaten ongoing ceasefire negotiations. A Lebanese official told Al Jazeera Arabic that the escalation threatens negotiations and that Beirut's options include diplomatic steps.

Lebanon death toll rises as Israeli strikes continue

At least 22 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon over the past 24 hours, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry, as reported by Al Jazeera English. The cumulative death toll since March 2 has reached 3,042. In a strike on the town of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, four people were killed and more than ten injured, including children and women, Al Quds Al Arabi reported. Rescue teams continued searching for missing persons under the rubble. The strikes are part of a broader Israeli escalation described by Lebanon as a violation of the ceasefire.

Israeli company commander killed in south Lebanon

The Israeli army officially confirmed the death of Major Itamar Sabir, a 27-year-old company commander, in battles in southern Lebanon, according to RT Arabic. His death underscores the heavy toll on Israeli ground forces as they push deeper into Lebanese territory. Al Quds Al Arabi also reported the killing of the company commander earlier in the day.

Hezbollah strikes Shebaa Farms outposts

Hezbollah announced Thursday morning that its fighters fired guided anti-tank missiles at Israeli military outposts in the occupied Shebaa Farms, hitting their targets, as reported by Al Mayadeen TV. The Israeli army confirmed the attack, stating that no casualties were sustained and that artillery was fired in response toward areas in southern Lebanon. The exchange is part of near-daily cross-border fire since October 2023. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it intercepted a drone launched from Lebanon over the Upper Galilee.

Iran & Regional Conflict

Iranian army warns of new fronts if attacked

Iran's army spokesperson warned on Tuesday that Tehran would open "new fronts" with "new tools and methods" if the US and Israel launch new strikes on the country, according to Middle East Monitor. Regional tensions have remained high since the US and Israel struck Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran against Israel and US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. President Trump later extended the truce indefinitely while maintaining a blockade. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, said on Tuesday that one of the achievements of the recent war was elevating Iran to the status of a "great and influential power," as reported by RT Arabic.

Israeli cabinet discusses resuming Iran war

The Israeli security cabinet discussed the possibility of resuming the war against Iran for the second time in 24 hours, according to Hebrew media reported by Middle East Monitor. The meeting followed a phone call between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump to coordinate "the next step on Iran." A source familiar with US movements said that the US is preparing for "a large-scale attack on Iran." The discussions come amid heightened military readiness and the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran unveils new underground missile base

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unveiled a new underground missile base on Thursday, described by state media as containing advanced long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel, Tasnim News Agency reported. The base is part of Iran's "strategic depth" capability and is located at an undisclosed depth underground. IRGC commander Major General Hossein Salami said the base represents "a new phase in the Islamic Republic's deterrent power." The unveiling comes amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear program and its support for resistance groups in the region.

Trump says Xi assured China won't send weapons to Iran

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him that China would not send weapons to Iran, as reported by Al Jazeera English. Trump also said he could again strike Iran if progress on a ceasefire is not made within "days." The statement came during Trump's visit to China, where he sought Beijing's cooperation in isolating Iran. Meanwhile, Qatar's foreign ministry said the US-Iran negotiations need "more time."

Strait of Hormuz & Global Impact

US redirects 88 vessels from Hormuz

The US Central Command said Tuesday that it has redirected 88 commercial vessels and disabled four others to enforce President Trump's blockade on ships traveling to and from Iranian ports via the Strait of Hormuz, according to Middle East Monitor. The blockade is part of the ongoing US-Israeli campaign against Iran, which has severely disrupted global shipping and energy markets. Oil prices have fluctuated amid the tensions, with Al Jazeera Arabic reporting that oil and gold prices retreated on Tuesday amid anticipation of an end to the war, while the dollar rose.

International Response & Diplomacy

Smotrich claims ICC arrest warrant

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Tuesday that he had been informed of a secret international arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, according to Middle East Monitor. Smotrich described the court as "antisemitic" and vowed not to accept its dictates. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also criticized the ICC and vowed further escalation against Palestinians, as reported by Middle East Monitor. The reports follow earlier ICC investigations into Israeli officials over alleged war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.

Qatar says US-Iran negotiations need more time

Qatar's foreign ministry said Tuesday that more time is needed for US-Iran negotiations, as reported by Al Jazeera English. The statement comes amid stalled talks in Islamabad and ongoing US threats to resume strikes. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said Moscow did not see the US proposals on Iran's nuclear settlement but is ready to facilitate, as reported by Anadolu Agency. Iran has full right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes under the NPT, Lavrov argued.

UN chief condemns San Diego mosque attack, concerned over UAE nuclear plant drone attack

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "strongly condemned" the deadly attack on the San Diego Islamic Center in the US, which left one person dead and multiple wounded, according to Anadolu Agency. Guterres reaffirmed that attacks on places of worship are particularly heinous. Separately, Guterres expressed deep alarm over the drone attack near the UAE's Barakah nuclear power plant, which the UAE said originated from Iraq, as reported by Anadolu Agency. The UAE Defense Ministry said investigations confirmed the drones were launched from Iraqi territory, as reported by Al Jazeera Arabic.

Somaliland opens embassy in Jerusalem

The breakaway region of Somaliland announced Tuesday that it will open an embassy in Jerusalem, after Israel became the first country to recognize its unilateral declaration of independence, according to Al Quds Al Arabi. Somaliland's ambassador Mohamed Haji said Israel is also expected to open an embassy in Hargeisa. The move further entrenches Israeli diplomatic presence in Africa and the Horn of Africa, drawing condemnation from the Somali federal government.

Other Developments

Car bomb in Damascus kills soldier

A Syrian soldier was killed and 12 others were wounded in a car bomb explosion near a Defense Ministry building in the Bab Sharqi area of Damascus on Tuesday, according to the SANA news agency cited by Middle East Monitor. An army unit had discovered an explosive device prepared for detonation and moved to dismantle it when a car bomb exploded in the same area. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Separately, a mass grave containing approximately 10 bodies was found in a quarry in the Ash al-Warwar area of Damascus, as reported by RT Arabic.

Sudan: RSF commander reportedly released, returns to battlefield

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander known as Abu Lulu, arrested late last year after videos showed him executing civilians in El Fasher, has reportedly been released from prison and returned to active combat, according to nine sources cited by Reuters and reported by Middle East Monitor. However, the RSF denied the reports, calling them "completely baseless." The conflicting accounts come amid ongoing heavy clashes in Sudan.

G7 continues studying Ukraine financing options

The Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors confirmed Tuesday that they are continuing to study various options for financing support for the Ukrainian government, according to RT Arabic. Meanwhile, the UN warned that the war in Ukraine is "becoming deadlier by the day," as reported by Anadolu Agency.

Belarus and Russia hold nuclear weapons drills

Belarus and Russia held joint military drills on the combat use of nuclear weapons on Monday, according to Anadolu Agency. The exercises aim to enhance the armed forces' readiness to use modern weapons, amid heightened tensions with NATO.

Belgium daily reveals Israeli influence attempts

The Belgian daily Le Soir published an investigation revealing that Israel made concerted efforts to influence two separate legal cases against its officials in Belgium, according to Anadolu Agency. Leaked documents show Israel sought to quash cases involving senior Israeli figures, highlighting ongoing Israeli attempts to counter legal accountability in European courts.

Iraq oil revenues exceed $1 billion in April

Iraq's state-owned SOMO announced that oil revenues for April exceeded $1 billion, with total crude exports of 9.88 million barrels from Basra, Kurdistan, and Kirkuk fields, according to Middle East Monitor. The figures come amid regional disruptions affecting energy markets.

No Updates Yet

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