That concludes today's live coverage of events in (and about) the region. Thanks for joining us. We'll be back tomorrow with live coverage focused on the last round of municipal elections, which will see voters from southern Lebanon casting their ballots for their hometowns' municipal councils. Goodnight.
Palestinian faction leaders leave Syria amid pressure and property confiscation
Two Palestinian sources told AFP Friday the leaders of pro-Iran Palestinian factions who were close to former Tehran-backed ruler Bashar al-Assad have left Syria under pressure from the new authorities.
The factions, which enjoyed considerable freedom of movement under Assad, have also handed over their weapons, one of the sources said, amid U.S. demands that Syria's new authorities take steps against Iran-backed Palestinian groups based in the country.
A pro-Iran Palestinian factional leader who left after Assad's December ouster said on condition of anonymity that "most of the Palestinian factional leadership that received support from Tehran has left Damascus," while another still based there confirmed the development.
The Palestinian factions "did not receive any official request from the authorities to leave Syrian territory" but instead faced restrictions and property confiscations, one faction leader said.
Shin Bet chief appointee 'against hostage deals'
Israeli army General David Zini, who Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed yesterday to become the next Shin Bet chief, reportedly told colleagues during a recent military consultation that he is principally against hostage deals with Hamas, Times of Israel reports, citing Israeli media.
“I’m against hostage deals. This is an eternal war,” Channel 12 quotes him as having said. Haaretz reported that Netanyahu decided against promoting Zini last year to become his military secretary, telling confidants he thought Zini was “too messianic.” Zini is a member of the national religious community.
Judge blocks Trump's Harvard ban on international students
A judge has temporarily suspended the Trump administration’s move to block Harvard from enrolling and hosting foreign students after the prestigious university sued, calling the action unconstitutional, AFP reports.
On Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign nationals, throwing the future of thousands of students and the lucrative income stream they provide into doubt.
But Harvard sued, and a Massachusetts district judge, Allison Burroughs, ordered that “The Trump administration is hereby enjoined from implementing… the revocation of Plaintiff’s SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certification.” There will be an injunction hearing on May 29, a court filing shows.
'Most professional round of negotiations' between Iran and U.S. in Rome
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi said there was potential for progress in nuclear negotiations with the U.S. after mediator Oman made several proposals, adding that the talks were complicated and more discussions were needed, Reuters reports.
"We've just completed one of the most professional rounds of negotiations," Araqhchi said after the fifth round of talks concluded between the U.S. and Iran.
Omani mediator Badr al-Busaidi wrote on X that the talks concluded with "some but not conclusive progress."
“We hope to clarify the remaining issues in the coming days, to allow us to proceed towards the common goal of reaching a sustainable and honorable agreement,” his post reads.
Israeli activists raise placards during an anti-government demonstration calling for the end of the war in the Gaza Strip and negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, in Shaar HaNegev near Sderot, close to the border with the P
Guterres says Gaza in the 'cruelest phase of this cruel conflict'
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said Israel has only authorized for Gaza what "amounts to a teaspoon of aid when a flood of assistance is required" and again signaled that the U.N. won't take part in a new U.S.-backed distribution plan.
Guterres described the dire situation in Gaza as the "cruelest phase of this cruel conflict," warning that "families are being starved and denied the very basics, all with the world watching in real time."
Israel says about 300 trucks of aid have entered Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing since it lifted an 11-week blockade on Gaza on Monday, but Guterres said that so far only about a third of those truckloads have been transported from the crossing to warehouses within Gaza due to insecurity.
Israeli army says struck 15 Hezbollah targets last night
The Israeli army has just announced in a post on X that, during an intense bombing raid against southern Lebanon last night, it targeted 15 sites belonging to Hezbollah. Municipal elections are scheduled to be held tomorrow in the South, with Israel's attacks perceived by observers as a pressure tactic in an attempt to dissuade potential Hezbollah voters.
Gaza death toll nears 54,000
The Israeli army has killed at least 60 people and wounded over 185 in Gaza in the past 24 hours, the enclave's health ministry has announced.
These latest casualties bring the overall death toll of the war to 53,822 people, the ministry says, with 122,382 others wounded and thousands more thought to still be buried under the rubble that covers the majority of the Strip.
Since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, collapsing the cease-fire agreement, at least 3,673 people have been killed and 10,341 wounded, the ministry added.
Eight people, including seven children, were killed when an Israeli air strike targeted a house in Qizan al-Najjar, located south of Khan Younis, according to Gaza’s civil defense, cited by Middle East Eye. Several others sustained injuries in the attack.
Rocket fired from Gaza intercepted by Israel
Sirens sounded in Israeli villages along the Gaza border about 30 minutes ago, followed by an announcement from the Israeli military that its air force had intercepted one rocket fired from the Gaza Strip. No injuries were reported.
UNRWA chief says 'no one should be surprised' about looted aid trucks
Responding to a U.N. statement saying 15 aid trucks entering Gaza on Thursday night were looted, the head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, wrote on X that "no one should be surprised, let alone shocked, at scenes of precious aid looted, stolen or lost."
"The aid going in now is a needle in a haystack," he writes, adding that the people of Gaza have been starved and deprived of basic supplies, including water and medicine, for more than 11 weeks.
The only way to prevent the humanitarian situation in Gaza from deteriorating further, Lazzarini explains, is a "meaningful and uninterrupted flow of aid."
"The least-needed is 500-600 trucks every day," he says. "During the cease-fire, we brought in an average of 500-600 trucks a day without diversion or looting." According to the Israeli army, only around 100 trucks entered Gaza yesterday.
European Council warns Gaza acts resemble genocide
Actions in Gaza “are heading toward ethnic cleansing and genocide,” warned a rapporteur from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Friday, calling the ongoing violence “a massive human tragedy.”
“This is a man-made tragedy for humanity, allowed to unfold before our eyes without intervention,” said Saskia Kluit, PACE rapporteur on the urgent humanitarian crisis affecting women, children, and hostages in Gaza.
Kluit cited a “total blockade” on essential humanitarian supplies since March 2, the shrinking space for Gaza’s population, and the lack of safety in designated “safe zones.” “All of this, along with statements by Israeli government officials about Gazans, makes it hard to ignore that these actions align with ethnic cleansing and genocide,” she said. “Collective punishment and the dehumanization of Palestinians must end immediately.”
French journalist unions urge evacuation of Gaza staff
Around twenty French journalist unions, including those of France 24, RFI, and Le Monde, issued a call on Friday for the immediate evacuation of their Gaza-based staff, who they say are “in mortal danger” due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes.
“We call on French authorities to do everything possible to evacuate our colleagues and their families and bring them to safety,” said the unions in a joint statement. The appeal, aimed at protecting journalists, fixers, and drivers working with French media outlets, was published on social media and the France 24 website. The initiative was led by the journalist societies of France 24 and RFI, both part of the France Medias Monde group.
Defense Minister seeks to bar left-wing leader from army reserve
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced his intention to ban former deputy chief of staff and left-wing leader Yair Golan from serving in the military reserve. The move follows controversial remarks by Golan criticizing the government's policy in Gaza.
“Due to Yair Golan’s behavior, which involved irresponsible and false accusations against IDF soldiers, I have decided to instruct the army not to summon him for reserve duty, ban him from wearing the IDF uniform, and prohibit him from entering military bases,” Katz stated.
Responding in a statement, Golan said: “The last time I wore the IDF uniform was on Oct.7, 2023, when I went south to rescue civilians after the security failure of your government. I will continue doing everything I can for Israel and its security.”
Netanyahu wants new Shin Bet chief 'as soon as possible'
Benjamin Netanyahu has called for a swift leadership change at the Shin Bet, a day after defying the judiciary and much of public opinion by announcing his chosen candidate to head Israel's internal security agency.
"It is imperative to appoint a permanent head of the Shin Bet as soon as possible," the Israeli Prime Minister said in a statement. On Thursday evening, Netanyahu announced he had selected Major General David Zini to lead the Shin Bet.
South Lebanon
Israeli soldiers fired several shots at a vehicle belonging to a Lebanese man near the Fatima Gate in the village of Kfarkila (Marjayoun district), our correspondent in the South reports. No injuries were reported.
France again rejects Israeli accusations following Washington killings
France has once again firmly rejected accusations from the Israeli government claiming that Paris, London, and Ottawa are "inciting hatred" and "encouraging Hamas murderers" following the killing of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington, AFP reports.
“We do not accept these accusations. Of course, what happened in Washington was an antisemitic act, and we condemn it unequivocally. But let’s not confuse the Israeli people with the current policies of Benjamin Netanyahu,” said government spokesperson Sophie Primas after a Cabinet meeting. She called for efforts to “de-escalate rising tensions between our two countries.”
“These are completely outrageous and entirely unfounded comments,” French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine had already stated on Thursday.
Later that evening, Netanyahu accused Paris, London, and Ottawa of encouraging “Hamas mass murderers” to continue fighting, after all three capitals condemned his government's "shocking actions" in Gaza.
Gaza
U.N. Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reports that Israeli attacks killed 629 Palestinians in Gaza last week, including 358 in strikes on homes and tents for displaced people.
Among the victims were at least 148 children and women. OHCHR expressed serious concerns that many attacks may not have targeted military objectives amid Gaza’s widespread infrastructure destruction.
Nine Palestinian journalists were killed, marking one of the deadliest weeks for the press since the conflict began in October 2023. Despite their commitment, journalists face the same hardships as the rest of Gaza’s population, including displacement, exhaustion, and hunger, Al-Jazeera reports.
Israeli strike kills one in Gaza's Shujayea neighborhood
An Israeli airstrike on a house in the Shujayea neighborhood, east of Gaza City, killed one person, according to Al Jazeera.
South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike on Aita al-Shaab
An Israeli army drone dropped a bomb on Aita al-Shaab, in the Bint Jbeil district of South Lebanon, without causing any casualties, according to our correspondent in the South.
Israeli fighter jets are flying at medium altitude over the Baalbek region and northern Bekaa, reports our correspondent.
Nuclear talks: Iran-U.S. negotiations in Rome to begin at 11:00 GMT
Iran and the United States will begin their fifth round of talks on Iran’s nuclear program in Rome on Friday at 1:00 PM local time (11:00 GMT), according to Iran’s official news agency IRNA.
The Iranian delegation is led by Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and is en route to Rome, IRNA said. U.S. envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will lead the American side in the negotiations.
Israel: Netanyahu says new Shin Bet chief must be appointed “as soon as possible”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the new head of Shin Bet, the internal security agency, must be appointed “as soon as possible,” adding that his chosen candidate, David Zini, would not be involved in an investigation targeting Netanyahu’s associates.
“It is imperative to appoint a permanent Shin Bet chief as soon as possible,” Netanyahu said in a statement from his office, quoted by AFP. He added that “the designated Shin Bet chief (David Zini) will in no way be involved in these investigations,” referring to a Shin Bet probe into Netanyahu allies suspected of receiving bribes from Qatar. Zini is set to replace outgoing director Ronen Bar.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the situation in the Middle East, focusing on Lebanon.
Last night another wave of Israeli airstrikes shook the South, despite the cease-fire in effect and just hours before scheduled municipal elections in the region.
We will also cover the situation in Gaza, where the Israeli offensive continues to cause dozens of deaths daily, as well as in Yemen, the occupied West Bank, and Syria.
Catch up on everything you missed yesterday and what to look out for today by reading our 👉 Morning Brief
Series of Israeli night strikes on South Lebanon
The night-time Israeli strikes targeted, according to our correspondent's sources: prefabricated structures in Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil), the Aaziyeh valley (struck three times), and the Jeb al-Soueid area in Majdel Zoun (Sour district), which was bombed by helicopter. Fighter jets also struck Deir Antar (Bint Jbeil), and another helicopter bombed more prefabs in Chamaa (Sour). These strikes caused fires in some areas.
Relatively calm in South Lebanon and drone overflights
After a violent night marked by Israeli bombings of several regions, South Lebanon is relatively calm this Friday morning, according to our local correspondent. Drones are flying over several areas, notably Saida and its surroundings.
Wave of strikes before southern municipal elections
As early as Thursday evening, the Israeli air force had bombed several areas in the South, notably Toul (Nabatieh) after an evacuation notice, then various regions, up to the Bekaa and the highlands of the Jezzine district.
These strikes were carried out even though a ceasefire has theoretically been in effect between Lebanon and Israel since November 2024.
Daily bombardments and gunfire have killed more than 160 people since November, according to our information. The bombings also occurred overnight as municipal elections are scheduled to be held Saturday in South Lebanon, for which Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement, have called for massive turnout.
In Israel, Netanyahu defies judiciary by appointing new Shin Bet chief, sparking uproar
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly defied the judiciary and a large part of Israeli society by announcing last night the appointment of a new head of the Shin Bet, the internal security agency. Accused by critics of authoritarian drift and conflict of interest in a case that has shaken Israel for three months, Netanyahu ignored a prohibition from the Attorney General issued the day before and announced the appointment of Major General David Zini to replace the resigning Shin Bet director Ronen Bar.
The agency had been at the forefront of opposition to the judicial reform proposed by the government, one of the most right-wing in Israel's history — a project that deeply divided the country in 2023 before the government temporarily shelved it in the early days of the war triggered by the unprecedented Hamas attack on Oct. 7 of that year.
Gaza: Civil Defense reports 16 dead in Israeli strikes
The Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip has reported 16 deaths from Israeli airstrikes in several areas of the Palestinian territory.
"The death toll from Israeli strikes in different areas of the Gaza Strip since midnight stands at 16," said Mohammed al-Moughayir, a spokesperson for the emergency services. He also mentioned "dozens of injured" in the strikes, which hit homes in central and southern Gaza.
Iran nuclear talks: Iran and the U.S. meet in Rome today amid nuclear disputes
Iran and the United States are meeting today in Rome for a fifth round of nuclear talks under Omani mediation, at a time when negotiations seem to be stalled over the issue of uranium enrichment. These talks represent the highest level of engagement between the two countries since the U.S. unilaterally withdrew in 2018 from the international nuclear agreement signed three years earlier in Vienna.
WHO chief urges Israel to have "mercy" on Gaza
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urged Israel last night to show "mercy" on Gaza and to end the war and the "systematic destruction" of the Palestinian territory's health system. In a speech in Geneva at the World Health Assembly, the WHO chief stated that the war would not help bring a lasting solution to the conflict.
"A call for peace is actually in Israel’s own best interest. I feel that the war harms Israel itself and will not lead to a lasting solution," said Tedros. "I ask you to show mercy. It would be good for you (Israel), good for the Palestinians, and good for humanity."
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