That concludes our live coverage for today, thanks for joining us. We'll be back tomorrow with more news updates and analysis on events in Lebanon, Palestine and the region. Goodnight.
PLO votes to create vice president post: council member
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) voted today to establish the position of vice president, potentially paving the way for a successor to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, AFP reports. At 89 years old, Abbas is the second oldest government leader in the world.
"A vote was held to create the position of vice president," Rizq Namoura, a member of the PLO's central council, said in an interview with Palestine TV, adding the vote was "almost unanimous" in favor of establishing the post, a first for the organization.
Palestinian analyst Aref Jaffal said the new role was created in preparation for the need to find Abbas' successor. "This position was created precisely to arrange for Abbas's successor, as there are many things the Palestinian situation requires," Jaffal, the director of the Al-Marsad Election Monitoring Center, told AFP. "The Palestinian political system is already miserable, so I believe that all these arrangements are a prelude to creating a successor to Abbas."
In southern Lebanon, an Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade near the mosque in the village of Aitaroun, in Bint Jbeil district. No injuries were reported, according to information obtained by our correspondent in the South.
Iranian FM told Witkoff that Trump's 2-month deadline on deal might not be possible
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told White House envoy Steve Witkoff during nuclear talks on Saturday that it might not be possible to reach a final nuclear accord on President Trump's proposed timetable, Axios reports, citing two sources with knowledge on the issue.
According to these sources, Araghchi asked instead if the sides should first negotiate an interim deal, allowing for some leeway beyond the two-month constraint laid on the negotiations by Trump, who also ordered a build-up of U.S. military forces in the Middle East, creating the impression that he could green light an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities should diplomacy fail.
Iran's Mission to the U.N. denied that its delegation had suggested an interim deal in a statement to Axios, saying, "This is simply neither true nor accurate." The State Department declined to comment. Axios first reported Iranian intentions for an interim deal citing two sources, including a European diplomat, back on April 10.
World Court to hear from 40 states in proceedings on Israel's duty to international organizations
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold public hearings next week on the U.N. General Assembly's request for an advisory opinion on Israel's obligations regarding the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organizations and third states both in and in relation to Palestine and its occupied territories.
Forty states and four international organizations have expressed their intention to participate in court proceedings, starting Monday and running until Friday May 2 at the Peace Palace in the Hague.
Last year, the Israeli government passed a law banning UNRWA from operating in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, both under illegal Israeli occupation, and prohibited any Israeli state agency from having any contact with the vital humanitarian organization, hindering its abilities to provide services for Palestinian refugees.
According to Times of Israel, the Israeli government has described the proceedings against its legislation as a “distorted process” whose outcome was “predetermined,” and will not be presenting its arguments in oral pleadings before the court.
It did, however, file a written submission to the ICJ in which it detailed what it said were the connections of UNRWA employees to Hamas, an accusation that led to several major donors pausing funding to the organization at a time when Palestinians were in dire need of humanitarian support.
Israeli mayor denounces government's 'lust for revenge, blood, and destruction'
An Israeli mayor warned during a ceremony on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day that the "lust for revenge, blood and destruction" has not returned captives held in Gaza, living or dead, to their families, Haaretz reports.
Amir Kochavi, mayor of Hod Hasharon, gave a speech at the ceremony, saying Jews must "not remain silent in the face of atrocities committed against people of other nationalities in the world, even if they are committed in our name."
Protests are growing in Israel as thousands of Israelis denounce their prime minister's decision to collapse on March 18 a cease-fire deal with Hamas during which hostages were being exchanged. The Israeli government has since killed nearly 2,000 people in Gaza, increasingly targeting displacement tents, hospitals, and schools in a bombing campaign that the relatives of Israeli hostages say is also putting their loved ones in danger.
"Jewish morality dictates 'never again' not only to us, but to all peoples as a moral and ethical imperative of a just and healthy society," Kochavi said. "Fifty-nine brothers and sisters are still held hostage in Gaza, their 'never again' still continues. The lust for revenge, blood and destruction has not returned the dead to us, nor the living."
Israel
The return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza is a “universal moral imperative,” said Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday, speaking from the former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland. He urged the international community to help end what he called “this horrific humanitarian crime,” according to AFP.
“The return of the hostages is a universal moral imperative, and from this sacred place, I call on the entire international community to mobilize to end this horrific humanitarian crime,” Herzog stated.
Iran
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi proposed on Thursday to visit Germany, France, and the U.K. for talks on Tehran’s nuclear program, according to AFP.
“Following my recent consultations in Moscow and Beijing, I am ready to take a first step with visits to Paris, Berlin, and London,” he stated in a message on X. He expressed willingness to engage in dialogue “not only on the nuclear issue, but also on all other areas of mutual interest and concern.”
South Lebanon
Israeli helicopter dropped a bomb targeting a prefabricated structure near the swimming pool in Meis al-Jabal (Marjayoun). A Civil Defense rescuer, Oussama Farhat, was injured and taken to the hospital.
Spain cancels €6.8 million arms deal with Israeli company
The Spanish government has unilaterally cancelled a €6.8 million arms contract with an Israeli company, a decision that followed internal tensions within the country’s left-wing ruling coalition, government sources confirmed.
Sources cited the strong pro-Palestinian stance of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist Party and its far-left ally Sumar as a key reason behind the move, stating both parties are "firmly committed to the Palestinian cause."
UK lifts sanctions on Syrian defense, interior ministries and intelligence agencies
On Thursday, the United Kingdom lifted asset freezes previously imposed on Syria’s Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, and several intelligence agencies.
The move comes as Western nations begin reassessing their sanctions policies following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime to rebel forces led by the Islamist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Shaam on Dec. 8, 2024, after more than 13 years of civil war.
At least 22 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza this morning
At least 22 people, including six members of the same family, were killed in fresh Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip Thursday morning, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense and hospital sources.
The Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia reported receiving the bodies of nine victims following an Israeli strike on a police station in the northern city. Another airstrike on a house in northern Gaza City killed a family of six — a couple and their four children — according to the Civil Defense in Gaza.
The rescue organization also reported two deaths from a strike on a displacement tent in Khan Younis, in the south. Meanwhile, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis received the bodies of two victims after a strike on a family home. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza said it received three bodies following a strike on a displacement tent in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
ICJ to review Israel’s obligation to allow international presence in Gaza
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague will hold public hearings next week to examine whether Israel is legally obligated to allow the presence and operations of the U.N., NGOs, and neutral states in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, Haaretz reports. The court has been asked to issue an advisory opinion on Israel’s authority to restrict or ban UNRWA operations in these territories, as well as its ongoing blockade on humanitarian aid entering Gaza—now in place for over 50 days.
According to the court’s schedule, Israeli representatives are not expected to attend the hearings. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated it will instead submit a written statement.
Israeli army claims 140 Hezbollah fighters killed since cease-fire
Israeli military stated it continues targeting Hezbollah and its infrastructure in southern Lebanon, claiming to have killed “140 fighters” since the cease-fire began on Nov. 27, 2024 — nearly 150 days ago. According to our count, 148 Lebanese have been killed by Israeli forces since late November. On April 15, the U.N. Human Rights Office confirmed at least 71 of those killed were civilians.
US military delegation reconnaissance visit to Southern Lebanon
A U.S. military delegation, escorted by the Lebanese Army, is reportedly conducting a reconnaissance visit in the area south of the Litani River, starting from Wadi Hojeir, according to our correspondent.
Additionally, two military helicopters crossed the Saida coast heading south at around 6:30 a.m. this morning.
☕Good morning and welcome to our live blog bringing you real-time updates on the Middle East situation, focusing on Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, Israel, and Syria.
Israeli ground incursion in Southern Lebanon
Overnight, an Israeli patrol, including tanks and vehicles, crossed the border at Wadi Hounine near Adaisseh in southern Lebanon and positioned themselves there, according to local sources. Flares were also fired over Alma al-Shaab and Dhaira, Sour district.
Israeli drones over Southern Lebanon
Israeli drones continue to fly over Maaroub and Barich in the Sour district, as well as the Nabatieh region, our correspondent reports.
13 killed overnight in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza
At least 13 people, including three children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza overnight, Al Jazeera reported. The children were reportedly killed in a tent strike in Nuseirat, central Gaza.
sraeli Army Claims 140 Hezbollah Fighters Killed Since Ceasefire
The Israeli military stated it continues targeting Hezbollah and its infrastructure in southern Lebanon, claiming to have killed “140 fighters” since the ceasefire began on November 27, 2024—nearly 150 days ago. According to our count, 148 Lebanese have been killed by Israeli forces since late November. On April 15, the UN Human Rights Office confirmed at least 71 of those killed were civilians.
Israeli Official: Lebanese Army Acting Against Hezbollah
Speaking to Yedioth Ahronoth (Ynet), a senior Israeli military official said that in several areas, the Lebanese army has taken more action against Hezbollah than expected, though “more is still desired.” He added, “The situation is still evolving.”
US continues airstrikes on Houthis in Yemen
According to the Houthi-affiliated al-Massirah channel, six U.S. airstrikes hit Saada province and three others targeted the outskirts of Sanaa. One person was reported injured.
Lebanese Army acting against Hezbollah
Speaking to Yedioth Ahronoth (Ynet), a senior Israeli military official said that in several areas, the Lebanese Army has taken more action against Hezbollah than expected, though “more is still desired.” He added, “The situation is still evolving.”
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