US envoy Morgan Ortagus expected to arrive in Lebanon in the coming hours | Live

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The Israeli army's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, posted on X that Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and the new Israeli chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, had conducted a field visit to the Gaza Strip.

"The operations in the Gaza Strip, which began two weeks ago, will continue and intensify. There is a direct link between these operations and the targeted attack in the heart of Beirut," said Ronen Bar.

"Hamas will face strikes wherever it acts against Israeli citizens," he added, saying Israel's goal "is to make Hamas understand that it will continue to pay the price until the 59 hostages are returned."

At dawn on Tuesday, the Israeli air force carried out a strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut. It later announced that it had carried out this strike "following directives from the Shin Bet (the internal security agency) ... against a Hezbollah terrorist who led Hamas operatives and assisted them in planning a significant and imminent terrorist attack against Israeli civilians."

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said it could take three to five years for civilians to return to southern Lebanon, The Jerusalem Post reported. The Israeli daily said the minister joined the Israeli military "on a rare visit to new positions inside Lebanon."

"I have decided not to mince my words," Jonathan Whittall, who took part in the mission a few days ago that led to the discovery of the bodies of 15 rescuers, including eight from the Palestinian Red Crescent and one from the U.N., said via video from Gaza. He described the bodies as a "mass grave."

The U.N. Human Rights Council on Wednesday condemned Israel's violation of the truce in Gaza and demanded that the country assume its responsibility to "prevent genocide" there.

The state-run Syrian news agency SANA reported strikes, blamed on Israel, against a military research center in northern Damascus and near the city of Hama, in the center of the country.

"An Israeli airstrike ... targeted the area surrounding the scientific research building" in the Barzeh neighborhood of Damascus, SANA reported, referring to a military facility already hit by strikes. The agency also reported that an Israeli raid targeted "the area surrounding the city of Hama."

The Free Patriotic Movement strongly condemned the continued Israeli attacks against Lebanon, stressing that they represent a real "source of concern for the future security and stability of the country." It also called for a "clearer position from the Lebanese government."

The health ministry in the Gaza Strip announced that 1,066 people had been killed since the resumption of Israeli bombardments on the Palestinian territory on March 18, including 24 in the last 24 hours.

The ministry added in a statement that Israel's bombardments and ground offensive have also injured 2,597 people since March 18 and that the total death toll since the start of the war, triggered by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, now stands at 50,423 in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the army was carving up the Gaza Strip and stepping up pressure on Hamas to force it to return the hostages.

"We are carving up the Gaza Strip and increasing the pressure step by step so that they return our hostages," Netanyahu said in a video released by his office.

"The army is taking territory, hitting terrorists and destroying infrastructure," he added, announcing the creation of a new axis under Israeli control to separate the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah at the level of the former Jewish settlement of Morag, dismantled during the unilateral Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

"As long as they do not return our hostages, the pressure will increase until they do," Netanyahu said.

Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa today denounced "the escalation of flagrant and repeated violations of the Israeli occupation," calling on "the guarantor countries of the agreement to dissuade Israel from continuing its violations and aggression against Lebanese sovereignty," the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.

NNA reported that Menassa met with several ambassadors on Wednesday, including those of the Netherlands, France and Russia.

Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal met with Brigadier General Guillaume Ponchin, France's representative to the ceasefire monitoring mechanism between Lebanon and Israel, in his office in Yarzeh.

"The discussions focused on ongoing efforts to implement the cease-fire agreement," NNA reported.

Saudi Arabia "strongly" condemned the visit of Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir to al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, an area occupied and annexed by Israel. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced this visit "conducted under the protection of the [Israeli] occupation police" as well as "the Israeli aggression" against this third holiest site in Islam, according to AFP.

In a statement, Jamaa Islamiya denied a report published on an unnamed news website, citing a security source, which alleges arrests among the ranks of the Dawn Forces, the party's armed wing, in connection with the rocket attacks from Lebanon into Israel, which twice provoked a violent Israeli response. The article even refered to an "Israeli security breakthrough through these fighters."

Jamaa Islamiya "denies any responsibility for the rocket launches from Lebanon" and said that it "respects the cease-fire agreed by the Lebanese government." The party denounced "the innuendos concerning our fighters who allegedly facilitated an enemy breakthrough," protesting against "attempts to harm our historical resistance, which is as white as snow."

Finally, it noted "an incomprehensible contradiction in the article, since it spreads unfounded accusations before concluding that the investigation is still ongoing."

The United Kingdom "does not support" the extension of Israel's military operations in Gaza, British Foreign Secretary Hamish Falconer announced on Wednesday, expressing his "deep concern" at the resumption of hostilities.

"The U.K. does not support the expansion of Israel's military operations," Falconer said. "Continued fighting and bloodshed are in no one's interest. All parties, including Israel, must respect international humanitarian law."

Gaza

⚡ Germany has successfully evacuated 19 nationals and 14 of their relatives from the Gaza Strip as Israel extends its military operations following the collapse of the cease-fire in mid-March, according to a spokesperson for the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported by AFP.

"It took some time, but we are now very relieved that this was made possible through close cooperation between German and Israeli officials," said Kathrin Deschauer during a regular press conference.

Occupied West Bank

Jordan, which administers the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, condemned the visit on Wednesday by an Israeli far-right minister to the third holiest site in Islam, describing it as a "dangerous escalation" and an "unacceptable provocation," according to AFP.

The Jordanian Foreign Affairs Ministry condemned in a statement "the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir today, under protection of the occupying police," calling it a "violation of the sanctity of the al-Aqsa Mosque and its historical status quo."

South Lebanon

In the early afternoon, Israeli soldiers opened fire from the Al-Assi site towards the Kroum al-Charqi region, east of Meis al-Jabal (Marjeyoun district), with the aim of intimidating citizens and residents, according to our correspondent.

Gaza

⚡ The Israeli military claims to have struck Hamas fighters in a United Nations building, according to AFP.

Lebanon/United States

⚡ American envoy Morgan Ortagus is expected to arrive in Lebanon in the coming hours, according to diplomatic sources speaking to the local TV channel Al Jadeed. This comes amid escalating pressure from the U.S. regarding the need to disarm Hezbollah as soon as possible.

Gaza

⚡ Gaza Civil Defense has reported at least 16 people killed, including nine children, in an Israeli strike that allegedly targeted a clinic in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern part of the Palestinian territory, according to AFP.

"At least 16 martyrs, including nine children, were transported [to hospitals], with dozens injured," in an attack that "targeted an UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees] building housing a clinic" in the camp, said Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for the rescue organization, to AFP. When contacted by AFP, UNRWA stated that it had not yet confirmed an attack on its premises in Jabalia. The Israeli military did not comment when asked.

Israel/West Bank

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a far-right figure, visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, a sector occupied and annexed by Israel, his spokesperson confirmed to AFP.

This is Ben Gvir's first visit since he returned to Benjamin Netanyahu's government on March 19, after leaving it on January 19 in protest over the cease-fire agreement with Hamas. Since the formation of Netanyahu's government in late 2022, Ben Gvir has visited the contested site in the Old City of Jerusalem multiple times, each time provoking international outcry.

France/Iran

French President Emmanuel Macron is chairing a defense council against Iran this Wednesday, amidst a series of strategic issues and crises in the Middle East, according to a French diplomatic source quoted by AFO.

The head of state will be accompanied by relevant ministers, including those of Defense and Foreign Affairs, the source added, without providing further details.

Iran's nuclear program remains at the center of international attention, as well as its support for Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are disrupting navigation in the Red Sea.

Western countries, led by the U.S., have suspected for decades that Iran seeks to acquire nuclear weapons.

Iraq/Yemen

Iraqi government committed to preventing any non-civilian activities by the Houthi rebels from Yemen on its territory, according to sources cited by the Arab media outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. These sources confirmed that the Iraqi government is working to restrict the movements of the Yemeni rebels within the country, limiting their activities to the media and cultural fields.

Photo published by Lebanse Army

Lebanon/Syria

The Lebanese Army announced on Wednesday that it had closed two illegal crossings on the border with Syria and released photos of its operations. "As part of the efforts to combat infiltration and smuggling on the northern and eastern borders, a military unit closed two illegal crossings in the areas of Doura, in the Hermel district, and Qaa, in the Baalbek district," in a statement published by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

The Lebanese Armed Forces have increased their presence along the borders with Syria and Israel since the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect last November. The troops regularly announce various operations aimed at limiting smuggling between Syria and Lebanon.

South Lebanon

A citizen was injured by Israeli gunfire in the town of Adaisseh (Marjeyoun), the Public Health Emergency Operations Center said in a statement. Another individual, a car driver, was also wounded by Israeli bullets while passing on the Kfar Kila - Adaisseh road in the Marjeyoun district, L’Orient Today’s correspondent in the south reported.

An Israeli drone targeted a room with a bomb in the center of the town of Yaroun (Bint Jbeil), causing its destruction without any casualties, local residents reported.

In Lebanon, no major incidents have been reported 24 hours after the Israeli military carried out an unannounced strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday, which killed Hassan Bdeir, his son, and two other people.

There were three incidents in South Lebanon overnight, according to our correspondent.

Around 8 p.m., Israeli soldiers fired a machine gun from the Birket Naqqar position towards the town of Shebaa (Hasbaya district).

At the same time, Israeli artillery fired two shells at the hills east of the town.

After 10 p.m., Israeli vehicles stationed in the Labbouneh area, within Lebanese territory south of the town of Naqoura (Sour district) and across from the Israeli post at Jal al-Alam, moved towards Ras Naqoura

Yemen

Houthi rebels in Yemen reported a new death toll of four people from airstrikes on Hodeidah (west), attributed to the U.S., and claimed to have carried out a new attack on a U.S. aircraft carrier, reports AFP.

"The toll from the U.S. aggression targeting the water management building in the al-Mansouriah district of Hodeidah governorate on Tuesday evening has risen to four dead and three injured," said Houthi Health Ministry spokesperson Anis Alasbahi.

Israel/US

Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to London said on Tuesday that he would ask the UK to reverse its partial suspension of arms exports to Israel, a decision made due to concerns over international humanitarian law.

Israeli soldiers during a raid in the Nour Shams refugee camp, near the city of Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank, on August 28, 2024. (Credit: Jaafar Ashitiyeh/AFP)

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced this morning the seizure of "large areas" in Gaza. Within 2 to 3 weeks, Israel plans to occupy 25% of the territory.

US/Middle East

On Tuesday, the U.S. announced the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been disrupting shipping in the Red Sea, reports AFP.

The Harry S. Truman, already in the region, will be joined by the Carl Vinson, currently in the Indo-Pacific area, "to continue promoting regional stability, deter aggression, and protect maritime trade flows in the region," announced Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. The Pentagon's statement did not specify the date or location where the two carrier groups will operate. This announcement comes after the Houthis, Yemeni rebels backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for several attacks on the Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea last month.

South Lebanon

Israeli drones have been continuously flying over the Nabatieh region since dawn, according to our correspondent.

Yemen

Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed three people were killed and two others injured in airstrikes on Hodeidah (western Yemen), which they attribute to the U.S., according to a statement released late Tuesday by the Health Ministry.

"The American aggression, which targeted the water management building in the al-Mansouriyah district of Hodeidah governorate on Tuesday with several strikes, resulted in three deaths and two injuries, most of whom were employees," said Houthi Health Ministry spokesperson Anees Alasbahi, noting that this was a preliminary toll.

Earlier, Houthi media reported U.S. airstrikes targeting several areas under Houthi rebel control, backed by Iran, including hydraulic infrastructure in Hodeidah governorate, as well as three strikes in Hajjah governorate (northwest) and three more in the group's stronghold of Saada in northern Yemen. The U.S. has not confirmed carrying out these strikes.

Palestinian Civil Defense has just announced the deaths of 15 people in two Israeli airstrikes, according to AFP.

"Thirteen martyrs, including children, were killed after the occupation forces (Israeli military) bombed a house sheltering displaced people in the center of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza," said Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense, adding that two more people died in a separate strike on a house in Nusseirat (central Gaza).

Since the resumption of fighting, 1,042 people have been killed in the enclave, bringing the total death toll to over 50,000 since the war began on October 7, 2023.

According to Palestinian media, the Israeli military has carried out airstrikes and artillery attacks in the Khan Younis and Rafah areas in southern Gaza.

In Gaza, Israel resumed intense airstrikes on March 18 and is also conducting ground operations, following a deadlock in negotiations to extend a cease-fire with Hamas.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the expansion of Israel's military operation in Gaza to seize "large areas" in order to create security zones, while also calling on Gazans to overthrow Hamas, according to AFP.

The military operation is aimed at "crushing and clearing the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure and seizing vast areas that will be incorporated into Israel's security zones," he stated in a press release. "I urge the residents of Gaza to act now to expel Hamas and release all hostages," he added.

Earlier in the week, the Israeli military reported the destruction of a Hamas tunnel extending over one kilometer.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the situation in Lebanon and the rest of the Middle East where the Israeli military carried out a new strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut in the early hours of Tuesday morning, marking the second attack in four days.

We will also cover the situation in Gaza, where the Israeli military is intensifying its strikes, as well as developments in Israel, Palestine, Yemen, and Syria.