Israel strikes Beirut southern suburbs twice; Hezbollah says having 'direct' clashes with Israel in Khiam, south Lebanon | LIVE

WHO chief announces 12 killed in Israeli strike on health center in Lebanon

The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, indicated that the WHO had verified the deaths of 12 doctors, paramedics, and nurses in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Burj Qalaway primary healthcare center (Bint Jbeil), Lebanon, on Friday evening.

“The 14 health workers killed in the past 24 hours in southern Lebanon mark a tragic development in the escalating crisis in the Middle East,” wrote Tedros in a message posted on X. He specified that two paramedics had been killed earlier in the day in an attack on a health facility in Sowaneh (Marjayoun).

UAE says Tehran's policy is 'confused, unwise'

The United Arab Emirates has responded to Iran after accusations that a U.S. airstrike on Kharg Island — an oil hub that handles about 90 percent of Iran's exports — was launched from the Gulf state. They said Tehran's policy was confused and unwise, according to Reuters.

In a message posted on X, Anwar Gargash, the UAE president's diplomatic advisor, stated that the country has the right to defend itself but "continues to prioritize reason and logic."

Iraq: Drone attack on military base at Baghdad airport, security sources told AFP

2 Israeli strikes on Mayfadoun, Majdal Selm killed 5 people, injured 7, according to Health Ministry

In a statement, the Ministry specified that an Israeli airstrike on Mayfadoun (Nabatieh district) killed four people and injured five.

Another airstrike on Majdal Selm (Marjayoun) killed one person and injured two.

Kuwait: 'Several drones' strike capital’s airport

Drones struck Kuwait City’s airport on Saturday, the country’s civil aviation authority announced, as Iran launched strikes against Gulf states in response to the U.S.-Israeli offensive.

“Kuwait International Airport was targeted by several drones this evening, which hit its radar surveillance system,” the authority stated, adding that no one was injured in the attack.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard claims to have targeted US base in Saudi Arabia

Israel running short of missile interceptors, according to US officials

Israel informed the United States this week that it is critically short of ballistic missile interceptors, as the war with Iran continues, U.S. officials told the Semafor website, as reported by Reuters.

According to these officials, Washington has been aware for several months of Israel's limited interceptor capabilities. One of them stated that this shortage was "something we expected and anticipated."

This official added that the United States is not facing a similar shortage of its own interceptors.

South Lebanon: Hezbollah says engaged in 'direct' clashes with Israeli forces in Khiam

Hezbollah announced that its fighters are conducting "direct" clashes with Israeli army forces in Khiam (Marjayoun), using light and medium weapons as well as rockets.

Lebanon: French Foreign Ministry denies any 'French plan' to end the war

French diplomacy declared on Saturday that there was “no French plan” to try to end the war in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.

“France has supported the Lebanese authorities’ openness to direct talks with Israel and has offered to facilitate them. It will be up to the parties, and only the parties, to define the agenda for these discussions,” the Foreign Ministry stated in a declaration sent to AFP.

The American website Axios, citing three sources familiar with the matter, had earlier claimed that France had developed a proposal to end the war that included Lebanon recognizing Israel.

Update on south Lebanon

Israeli warplanes bombed Blat and Khiam (Marayoun district), as well as the outskirts of Rashaya al-Foukhar (Hasbaya), where two raids were carried out using multiple missiles, reports our correspondent in the region.

Israeli artillery fire also targeted Arnoun, Yohmor and Mayfadoun (Nabatieh).

Hezbollah, for its part, announced it had conducted a series of attacks against Israeli positions and troops, including rocket attacks targeting several military sites.

According to our correspondent in the region, this is the largest number of attacks claimed in a single day since the start of the war on March 2.

In several statements, the party claims to have targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at Tallet al-Hamames, south of Khiam, at 7:30 p.m., before targeting the same position again five minutes later with a second salvo of rockets.

It also says it fired rockets at the same time at a gathering of Israeli soldiers near the Khiam prison, as well as at the town of Metula.

Hezbollah further claims to have shot down an Israeli armed drone at 7:30 p.m. over the town of Sharqieh (Nabatieh).

The party also announced that it targeted an Israeli force advancing toward Uweida Hill, near Odaisseh (Marjayoun), at 6 p.m. with a guided missile, claiming to have inflicted casualties.

He also claims to have targeted an Israeli force at 6:10 p.m. that had come to evacuate a destroyed tank near the eastern entrance of Taybeh, using guided missiles and artillery shells.

Israel bombs Beirut southern suburbs a second time, after strike on Haret Hreik

Bahrain: Six people arrested for spreading 'false information' about attacks

Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced the arrest of six people for posting videos and spreading "false information" about Iranian attacks against the country.

"Six people have been arrested and referred to the public prosecutor for posting videos about the effects of Iranian aggression, praising its hostile actions and spreading false information," the Ministry stated.

Israel strikes Beirut southern suburbs

Palestinian officials announce man was killed in Israeli settler attack in West Bank

A man was killed Saturday by Israeli settler fire in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian officials announced, bringing to six the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli settlers since early March in the territory where such attacks are on the rise.

"Amir Moatasem Odeh, 28, was killed by settler fire in Qusra, south of Nablus," the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement.

The mayor of Qusra, Hani Odeh, told AFP that the victim "died from his wounds" after settlers "opened fire on residents who were trying to defend their homes."

War on Lebanon: French peace proposal includes recognition of Israel: Axios

The French government has drafted a proposal to end the war in Lebanon that includes the unprecedented step of Lebanon recognizing Israel, three sources familiar with the matter told Axios.

According to the French proposal, Israel and Lebanon will begin negotiations, with the support of the United States and France, on a "political declaration" to be agreed upon within one month.

The "political declaration" will include initial recognition of Israel by Lebanon and will emphasize the Lebanese government's commitment to respecting Israel's sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to these sources.

According to the French proposal, Lebanon would declare its willingness to begin negotiations with Israel for a permanent non-aggression pact.

Such an agreement would be signed within two months and would include ending the state of war between the two countries, according to these sources.

This agreement will obligate Israel and Lebanon to resolve their differences peacefully and establish security measures along the border.

Following the signing of the non-hostilities agreement, Israel will withdraw from the five points in southern Lebanon controlled by Israeli forces since November 2024.

The final stage of the French plan calls for the demarcation of a permanent border between Israel and Lebanon, and between Lebanon and Syria, by the end of 2026.

Update on south Lebanon

Hezbollah announced it had carried out several attacks against Israeli positions and troops. The party said it targeted the 7200 rehabilitation and maintenance center south of Haifa with a swarm of kamikaze drones.

At 4:30 p.m., it said it fired a salvo of rockets at a gathering of Israeli soldiers north of Robb Thalathin (Marjayoun district).

The group also reported targeting a gathering of Israeli soldiers on Khazzan Hill in Odaisseh at 5 p.m., before again targeting a gathering of Israeli soldiers north of Robb Thalathin with a second salvo of rockets at 5:10 p.m. Another salvo also targeted Khazzan Hill in Adaisseh at 6 p.m., according to the party.

Hezbollah also claims to have targeted a gathering of Israeli vehicles and soldiers in an area of ​​Taybeh at 6 p.m. using artillery shells.

Finally, the party states that after spotting an Israeli tank attempting to advance toward the eastern entrance of Taybeh, its fighters targeted it at 6 p.m. with a guided missile, claiming to have destroyed it and inflicted casualties.

War on Lebanon: Israel advances on the ground, sets the pace of negotiations

Efforts continue to create the conditions necessary for a round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel to begin in the coming days.

French President Emmanuel Macron has intervened again, attempting to persuade Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to appoint a Shiite figure to the Lebanese delegation to represent the Shiite community. He also proposed that Paris host the talks, which would otherwise be held in Cyprus.

Berri, along with the Amal and Hezbollah leadership, continues to refuse to appoint a Shiite figure to the Lebanese delegation until Israel commits to a cease-fire.

A small door was opened on Saturday: While the parliament speaker insisted on talks through the cease-fire monitoring mechanism, he expressed, according to MTV, a "positive stance" regarding President Joseph Aoun's initiative to establish a one-month ceasefire and begin direct negotiations.

Find our exclusive information here.

Iran: Missile strike on Isfahan industrial zone kills 15

An Israeli-American missile strike on an industrial zone in Isfahan, central Iran, killed 15 people, the Iranian Fars news agency reported Saturday.

According to Fars, the attack "targeted a factory producing heating and air conditioning equipment" where "workers were on the job."

AFP was unable to immediately verify the death toll.

Israeli strike kills 4 in Mayfadoun

The Israeli strike on Mayfadoun (Nabatieh district) killed four people, reports our correspondent. Israeli aircraft also bombed an area between Naqoura and Alma al-Shaab (Sour), Yater (Bint Jbeil), Touline, Qabrikha and Qantara (Marjayoun).

War in Lebanon: 831,882 displaced by Israel since March 2

In its latest updated report, the Disaster Risk Management Unit, attached to the Prime Minister's Office, specified that 831,882 people have been displaced by Israel since March 2. The total number of displaced persons in shelters across the country stands at 132,419, representing 33,902 families.

The Disaster and Crisis Management Unit in Akkar Governorate announced that the total number of registered displaced persons seeking refuge in the region is 2,549 families, or 9,811 people.

Outside shelters: 2,248 families, or 8,686 displaced persons. In shelters: 301 families, or 1,125 displaced persons. The report also indicates that 21 accommodation centers have been opened in the governorate, 17 of which have already reached their maximum capacity.

Updates on south Lebanon

Israeli warplanes continued their airstrikes in South Lebanon.

In the Marjayoun district, raids targeted Taybeh, Deir Sirian, Touline, and Khiam. In the Nabatieh district, Mayfadoun was targeted.

In the Bint Jbeil district, strikes targeted Kounin and Bint Jbeil. According to our correspondent, buildings were destroyed, but no casualties were reported. Israeli warplanes were also heard flying at low altitude over the Saida and Zahrani areas.

Artillery fire targeted the Hamoul area, on the outskirts of Naqoura, as well as Wadi Hassan (Sour). Other bombings struck Jbal al-Botom, Wadi Zibqine, and Wadi al-Azzieh (Sour). In the Nabatieh district, artillery fire also targeted Yohmor and Zawtar Sharqieh.

Hezbollah, for its part, announced that it had fired salvos of rockets toward northern Israel. In two statements, the party said it targeted the settlement of Lyman at 2:00 p.m., and then the settlement of Shlomi at 2:10 p.m. for the second time that day.

Iran announces new missile launches on Israel

Araghchi says Iran's supreme leader has 'no problem' after US claims he was injured

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told MS Now that there is "no problem" with Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

This statement comes after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that Khamenei had been injured and possibly disfigured.

Jordanian army says it intercepted 79 Iranian missiles, drones in 1 week

The Jordanian army announced it intercepted 79 missiles and drones launched by Iran against the kingdom during the second week of the war between Israel and the United States against Tehran.

In a statement, the army indicated that "85 missiles and drones were fired directly from Iran" toward Jordanian territory during the past week, targeting "vital sites."

According to the army, 79 of these projectiles were intercepted, while five drones and one missile landed on Jordanian territory.

Furthermore, a spokesperson for the Public Security Directorate stated that 93 pieces of missile and drone debris landed in most governorates during the past week, injuring nine people.

Israeli military says it killed 2 senior Iranian intelligence officials in Tehran

The Israeli military stated that its air force carried out a strike in Tehran on Friday, killing Abdullah Jalali-Nesseb and Amir Shrayaat, described as "senior intelligence officials at the Khatam al-Anbiya Emergency Headquarters, which reports directly to the Iranian supreme leader."

According to the Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli military, "the two men had been appointed acting heads of the intelligence service after the killing of its director, Saleh Asadi, in the opening strike of Operation 'Lion's Roar.' They were described as senior intelligence officers and key figures in the Iranian security apparatus."

Israel claims to have targeted more than 200 facilities in Iran in 24 hours

The Israeli military announced that more than 200 "terrorist facilities" were targeted in Iran over the past 24 hours.

According to Israeli media outlet Channel 12, since the start of the operation, approximately 400 airstrikes have been carried out in western and central Iran, the main objective being "to weaken the firepower and defense systems of the Iranian regime."

Turkey fears Netanyahu could commit another genocide in Lebanon

Turkey said Saturday it fears Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with his strikes on Lebanon, could commit another genocide there under the guise of fighting Hezbollah.

"We sincerely fear that Netanyahu will engage in another genocide under the pretext of fighting Hezbollah," said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, urging the international community to "take action."

Turkey discussing discrepancies with Iran regarding missiles fired toward its territory

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Iran has denied any responsibility for the missiles fired toward Turkey. He added that Ankara is discussing with Tehran the inconsistencies between Iranian statements and the available technical data on these launches.

Speaking at a press conference in Ankara, Fidan indicated that Turkish authorities possess technical data concerning the missiles fired toward Turkey and are raising these inconsistencies with Iranian officials.

Trump urges other countries to send ships to secure Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump urged other countries on Saturday to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil supplies pass and which is effectively blocked by Iran.

"Many countries will be sending warships, in cooperation with the United States, to keep the strait open and secure," the U.S. president wrote on his Truth Social network.

On Friday, he indicated that the U.S. Navy would begin escorting oil tankers through the strategic Strait of Hormuz "very soon."

Tehran is targeting the strait in retaliation for Israeli-American airstrikes in an attempt to render it impassable, a strategy aimed at damaging the global economy to put pressure on Washington as oil prices continue to soar.

“We have already destroyed 100 percent of Iran’s military capabilities, but it is easy for them to send one or two drones, drop a mine, or launch a short-range missile somewhere along or into this waterway,” Trump emphasized.

“Hopefully, China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and others will send ships to the region so that the Strait of Hormuz is no longer threatened by a completely decapitated country,” he added.

The U.S. president also indicated that “in the meantime,” the United States would continue to bomb the Iranian coast and target its navy. “One way or another, we will soon open the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

Kuwait: Drones cause damage near US military site, according to Department of Defense

Iran dismisses Ukraine's anti-drone support for US Gulf allies as 'joke'

Iranian chargé d'affaires in Ukraine, Shahriar Amouzegar, dismissed Kyiv's promised support for U.S. allies in the Gulf as a "joke," even as President Volodymyr Zelensky touts his forces' expertise in counter-drone operations.

"Regarding Ukraine's measures in the Middle East against drones, we consider them essentially a joke and a purely symbolic gesture," Amouzegar told AFP in an interview Friday at the Iranian embassy.

Samy Gemayel: 'Either state imposes weapons monopoly, or assumes responsibility if country sinks into catastrophe'

Kataeb party leader and MP Samy Gemayel wrote on the X platform that “we are one step away from an Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon,” the repercussions of which will be “catastrophic for our country: more death and destruction, population displacement, internal tensions and divisions, as well as economic and social collapse.”

Lebanon could thus “sink into a quagmire from which it would be difficult to extricate oneself for many years,” he added.

“After everything that has happened, there is no hope that Hezbollah will change course or voluntarily surrender its weapons,” he continued. “The responsibility now lies with the Lebanese state: Either it exercises its sovereignty, imposes a monopoly on weapons and protects the Lebanese, or it assumes the responsibility of letting the country sink into an even more serious catastrophe,” he concluded.

Strait of Hormuz closed only to 'enemies,' warns Iranian foreign minister

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the Strait of Hormuz is closed only to “oil tankers and ships belonging to enemies and their allies,” Reuters reported, citing Iranian state media.

Araghchi warned that Iran would retaliate against any attack targeting its energy facilities, asserting that if Iranian infrastructure were targeted, Iranian forces would strike facilities belonging to U.S. companies in the region or companies in which the United States holds a stake.

He added that Iran would act cautiously to avoid targeting populated areas.

Hezbollah claims rocket fire toward northern Israel

While our correspondent reported rocket fire toward Israeli territory from Lebanon, Hezbollah announced that it had targeted several locations in northern Israel.

In two separate statements, the party claims to have fired a salvo of rockets at 3:30 p.m. toward the settlements of Adamit and Hanita in northern Israel, after issuing “a warning to several settlements in northern occupied Palestine.”

Hezbollah also indicated that it fired a salvo of rockets at 2:00 p.m. toward the settlement of Shlomi, as part of this warning.

Update on south Lebanon

Late this afternoon, Israeli aircraft carried out a series of strikes in southern Lebanon, reports our correspondent.

Israeli strikes targeted Naqoura (Sour district), Adsheet, Taybeh (Marjayoun), and Sojod (Jezzine).

Strikes also targeted the city of Saida, Bablieh, Ghassanieh and Teffahta in the Saida district.

Other strikes targeted the Sarafand hills, near the Saida-Sour highway. The explosions were heard as far away as Saida, while Israeli warplanes continuously flew over the Zahrani and Saida areas.

Israeli artillery fire also targeted Naqoura and the outskirts of Alma al-Shaab (Sour), as well as Houla and Qabrikha (Marjayoun).

New death toll of Israeli strikes on Lebanon: 826

Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed 826 people since the start of the war on March 2, including 26 medical personnel, according to the latest official figures reported by AFP,

Guterres: 'The Lebanese people did not choose war, but were drawn into it'

Antonio Guterres, UN secretary-general, speaks at a press conference following his visit to Lebanon on March 14, 2026. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)

Antonio Guterres, U.N. secretary-general, said at a press conference following his visit to Lebanon that “the Lebanese people did not choose war, but were drawn into it,” calling for “an end to the bombings and a cease-fire” and stating that “the only solution is through diplomacy and dialogue,” according to a statement reported by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

The senior U.N. official also added that “we have witnessed large-scale destruction in Lebanon” and “there are fears that the South could become a barren land, while the southern suburbs of Beirut are exposed to the risk of bombings that could lead to total destruction.” Guterres further stated that “Hezbollah must respect the Lebanese government’s decision to reserve the monopoly of arms to the state.”

In a post on X, he added that his “message from Lebanon to the warring parties is clear: stop the fighting. Stop the bombings. There is no military solution,” calling for “diplomacy, dialogue, and the full implementation of the United Nations Charter and Security Council resolutions.”

Israeli army says it killed an Iranian brigade commander in Lebanon

The Israeli army said it killed Hisham Abdel Karim Yassine on Wednesday in a strike. Yassine was described as a “central figure within the communications unit of Hezbollah and the Palestinian Corps affiliated with Quds Force,” the elite unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The location of the strike was not disclosed.

In a post on X, the army’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, said that the army had “eliminated another commander of the Palestinian Corps under the Iranian Quds Force,” bringing to five the number of members of this unit killed since the start of Operation “Lion’s Roar.”

According to Colonel Adraee, Yassine is also the third senior officer of the Palestinian Corps killed since the beginning of the Israeli offensive. He reportedly worked to “consolidate the Iranian presence in Lebanon” and promote “terrorist plans under the direction of the Iranian regime.”

The Israeli army said Yassine was responsible for “strengthening Hezbollah’s capabilities and rebuilding its means after Operation ‘Northern Arrows.’” He also reportedly worked “to consolidate the Iranian presence in Lebanon and promote terrorist plans under the direction of the Iranian regime.”

Amal bloc MP Ali Khreis tours Sour district amid heavy bombardment

Ali Khreis, a member of the Amal parliamentary bloc, allied with Hezbollah and close to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, toured several villages in the Sour district in southern Lebanon, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA). The area has been under heavy Israeli bombardment since the start of the war.

Passing through Maarakeh and Burj Rahal, he said during his visit that Israel targeting “civilians and infrastructure will not break the will of the people of the south, accustomed to standing firm in the face of attacks.”

2 Israeli airstrikes target Khiam

Israeli warplanes carried out two airstrikes on Khiam (Marjayoun district) about half an hour ago, according to our correspondent in the south.

Israeli army warns trucks near coast could be at risk due to Hezbollah positions

Avichay Adraee, the Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli army, accused Hezbollah of transporting military equipment in civilian trucks along the southern Lebanese coast, warning that “any truck traveling near the coast could be put in danger due to Hezbollah’s positioning in the area.”

Adraee also released a map highlighting the affected coastal zone, stretching from the Lebanon-Israel border through southern Lebanon and even including areas further north, though not the capital.

“It is estimated that some of these weapons are intended for use in terrorist operations, including plans targeting the border area, ships, and maritime targets,” he added. “These trucks move within coastal towns and appear as civilian vehicles to blend in and position themselves among the local population,” the spokesperson said.

Iran: no oil infrastructure damaged after strike on strategic island

No oil infrastructure was damaged on the strategic Kharg Island, Iran’s oil hub in the Gulf, Fars News Agency reported, following U.S. strikes on military sites the previous day that Donald Trump claimed had been “completely destroyed,” cited by AFP.

During the attack, 15 explosions were heard, but “no oil infrastructure was damaged,” Fars wrote, citing unidentified “sources on the ground.”

Activities at the oil companies’ terminal “continue normally,” said Ehsan Jahaniyan, deputy governor of the southern Bushehr Province, cited by IRNA.

The strike “caused no casualties among military personnel, company employees, or island residents,” he added.

According to Fars, “the enemy attempted to damage army defenses, the Joshan naval base, the airport control tower, and the helicopter hangar of the Continental Shelf Oil Company.”

Hezbollah announces 4 new attacks on Israel

Hezbollah said it launched a rocket barrage at 10 a.m. on the headquarters of the 146th Israeli brigade in Jaatoun, east of Nahariya.

The group also stated that after “issuing a warning to several localities” in northern Israel, it fired two separate rocket barrages at the villages of Gornot HaGalil and Goren at 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., respectively.

Finally, Hezbollah said it targeted the air defense system of Ma’alot-Tarshiha with a rocket barrage at 11:30 a.m.

According to al-Jadeed, Hezbollah fired another salvo of rockets toward Israel shortly thereafter.

Sirens sound twice in Israel after Iranian missiles launched

Sirens sounded twice in Israel following Iranian missile launches over a half-hour period, Haaretz reported.

During the first launch, sirens were triggered in Tel Aviv and central Israel. During the second, they were heard in Jerusalem and the West Bank, as Iran launched another salvo of ballistic missiles.

UNIFIL reports heavy machine-gun fire targeting its position near Mais al-Jabal

UNIFIL announced that one of its sites near Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun district) was struck by heavy machine-gun fire on Friday, causing a fire and lightly wounding a peacekeeper.

“Last night [Friday], one of our sites near Mais al-Jabal was hit by what appears to be heavy machine-gun fire, causing a fire. One of our peacekeepers was also slightly injured while heading to shelter. We have opened an investigation into the incident,” said Candice Ardiel, UNIFIL spokesperson, in a statement, without specifying the source of the fire.

“We remind all parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and protection of peacekeepers at all times,” she added.

Iranian lawmaker says Ukraine has become a 'legitimate target' for Tehran

Posting on his X account, Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi and chairman of the parliamentary National Security Committee, said that Ukraine has become a legitimate target for Tehran after providing assistance to Israel.

“By providing drone assistance to the Israeli regime, the failing Ukraine has effectively involved itself in the war and, under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, has turned its entire territory into a legitimate target for Iran,” the parliamentarian wrote.

Ukrainian military expert teams have been sent to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia to help defend against drones launched from Iran in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. Others are also assisting in protecting the U.S. military presence in Jordan, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.

Israeli airstrike hits Haniyeh as Hezbollah reports new attacks in southern Lebanon

According to our correspondent in the south, Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike on the village of Haniyeh (Sour district).

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it carried out two new attacks this morning: the group said it targeted a new Israeli position established in Blat, southern Lebanon, at 7 a.m. with an advanced missile, and then, an hour later, struck two Israeli Merkava tanks near the Jall al-Alam position.

Israeli army says it struck Iranian space research site yesterday

The Israeli army says it struck a space research site in Iran yesterday, targeting facilities allegedly used to develop military satellite capabilities, Haaretz reported.

In a statement, the Israeli army said the center housed “strategic laboratories used for research and development of military satellites for various purposes, including surveillance, target acquisition, and directing strikes on objectives across the Middle East.”

The army added that it also hit sites used for manufacturing air defense systems.

On March 8, the Israeli army announced it had struck the space and satellite headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Israel justified the strike, saying the site “served as a reception, transmission, and research center for the Iranian Space Agency, affiliated with the regime’s military forces.”

Israeli strikes kill 26 medical personnel since March 2

Israeli strikes have killed 26 medical personnel since the start of the conflict between Israel and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement on March 2, the Ministry of Health said on Saturday.

The ministry also accused Israel of repeatedly “targeting” paramedics on duty, after Israel claimed on Saturday that Hezbollah was using ambulances and medical facilities “for military purposes.”

Health Ministry: 1 killed, 4 injured in Israeli strike on Nabaa

The strike on an apartment in the Nabaa-Burj Hammoud neighborhood on Saturday killed one person and injured four others, the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

Israeli air and artillery strikes target southern Lebanon

In the past hour, Israeli warplanes struck the village of Qantara (Marjayoun district) according to our correspondent who also reported the town of Khiam (also in Marjayoun) came under Israeli artillery fire.

Hezbollah went 'all in,' says party source

A Hezbollah source, speaking anonymously to AFP, said the group had gone “all in.” According to the source, Hezbollah faces two possibilities: either it "is finished or it establishes a new equation involving Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanon and a halt to its attacks."

The source added that Hezbollah had decided to fight months ago but was waiting for a shift in the regional status quo, “which it found in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.”

The group “knows well that whatever the outcome of that war, its turn would come and Israel would not hesitate to launch a broad campaign against it."

Hezbollah "absorbed shocks after the previous war, bandaged its wounds ... and reorganized its ranks. And today it is fighting a battle that it is prepared for," the source said.

Hezbollah’s leadership denied that the timing of this battle was linked to the war with Iran, claiming instead that it had simply lost patience with Israeli attacks. However, this has not convinced officials or much of the public, many of whom have expressed growing anger at the group for dragging Lebanon into a new war.

Guterres and Haykal stress the need to respect cease-fire and implement army disarmament plan

Rodolph Haykal, commander of the Lebanese army, held a meeting Saturday in his office in Yarze with António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, during which they stressed the need to implement international resolutions — particularly United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 — respect the cease-fire agreement and carry out the army’s disarmament plan.

Guterres was accompanied by the U.N. under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis‑Plasschaert, as well as the head of United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) in Lebanon, Diodato Abagnara.

During the meeting, Haykal expressed his appreciation for Guterres’ efforts and praised the role of UNIFIL, stressing “the importance of cooperation and coordination between it and the army in light of the current delicate situation,” according to the state-run National News Agency. Participants also reaffirmed their “full support for the military institution and its role during this complex phase.”

Israeli army issues evacuation orders of several neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs

The Israel Defense Forces ordered residents of several entire neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs to evacuate ahead of further strikes, a practice that has become common since the start of the war.

The areas concerned are Haret Hreik, Ghobeiri, Laylaki, Hadath, Burj al-Barajneh, Tahwitat al-Ghadir and Chiyah, according to a message posted on X by the Arabic-language spokesperson of the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee.

“We urge you to evacuate immediately and not to return to these neighborhoods until further notice. The Israeli army will not hesitate to target anyone found near Hezbollah elements, its facilities or its military assets,” he wrote.

Katz on war with Iran: 'We are entering a decisive phase that will continue as long as necessary'

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that “the fight against Iran is intensifying,” stressing that it is entering a “decisive phase that will continue as long as necessary,” according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

Katz made the remarks during a situation assessment attended by Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, head of military intelligence Shlomi Binder and other commanders.

“Only the Iranian people can put an end to this through a determined struggle – until the overthrow of the terrorist regime,” he added.

He also congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump for the “severe blow the U.S. military dealt last night to Iran’s oil island,” noting that it was “the appropriate response to the mining of the Strait of Hormuz and the extortion attempts of the Iranian regime.”

5 US refueling aircrafts damaged in Iranian missile strike in Saudi Arabia

Five U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft were hit and damaged on the ground during an Iranian missile strike targeting the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia in recent days, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing two U.S. officials.

The tanker aircraft were damaged but not completely destroyed and are currently being repaired, one of the officials said. No deaths were reported in the strikes.

Nearly 1 million people displaced in Lebanon: IOM launches a $19 million funding appeal

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched a $19 million funding appeal to strengthen its emergency response in Lebanon, where the number of people forced to flee has reached nearly one million following a sharp escalation of hostilities since March 2, according to the organization’s website.

“For many families, this is not their first displacement. Repeated displacements have left people unable to meet their most basic needs,” said Amy Pope, Director General of the IOM. “As the number of people without shelter rises rapidly, families urgently need safe housing, clean water, medical care, and protection. The IOM is calling for immediate support to provide life-saving assistance to those most severely affected by this crisis.”

Evacuation orders in towns and villages in southern Lebanon, parts of the Bekaa Valley, and several neighborhoods in Beirut have triggered massive displacement, forcing families to seek refuge wherever possible. More than 128,000 people are currently living in collective shelters, a number that continues to rise every day. Most displaced people have taken refuge with relatives or in host communities, while others are sleeping in cars or on the streets without shelter.

Israeli army says more than 110 Hezbollah positions targeted since start of war

The Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, said Saturday that more than 110 Hezbollah positions have been targeted since the start of the war in Lebanon.

“Yesterday, the Israeli army carried out several new waves of airstrikes targeting infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in Beirut and southern Lebanon,” he added.

He also said that since the beginning of the operation in Lebanon, the Israeli military has been striking Hezbollah’s command-and-control capabilities, as well as its economic resources and weapons stockpiles.

Smoke rises from major oil facility in UAE

Smoke was rising Saturday from a major oil facility in the United Arab Emirates, according to an AFP journalist, apparently following a new strike targeting Gulf oil infrastructure.

Dark clouds of smoke were seen over Fujairah, which hosts a major port where Iranian attacks have previously targeted an oil depot and a commercial platform. An oil export terminal is also located there.

Macron: ‘Everything must be done to prevent Lebanon from descending into chaos’

French President Emmanuel Macron said that “everything must be done to prevent Lebanon from descending into chaos,” calling on both Hezbollah and Israel to exercise restraint.

“I spoke yesterday with President Aoun, Prime Minister Salam and Parliament Speaker Berri. Everything must be done to prevent Lebanon from descending into chaos,” Macron wrote on X on Saturday morning.

“Hezbollah must immediately stop its headlong rush. Israel must abandon a large-scale offensive and halt its massive strikes, as hundreds of thousands of people have already fled the bombardments,” he added.

Macron noted that “the Lebanese executive has expressed its willingness to hold direct discussions with Israel,” saying that all components of the country should be represented.

“Israel must seize this opportunity to launch discussions, reach a ceasefire, find a lasting solution and allow Lebanese authorities to implement their commitments to Lebanon’s sovereignty,” he said, adding that France is ready to facilitate the talks by hosting them in Paris.

Lebanese Red Cross coordinating operations with UNIFIL and army in dangerous areas

Georges Kettaneh, secretary-general of the Lebanese Red Cross, told local television channel Al Jadeed that the organization is coordinating its operations with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Armed Forces in dangerous areas.

“Our duty is to rescue and provide medical assistance to anyone injured in wars, in accordance with the Geneva Conventions,” he said.

His comments came after Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesman, accused Hezbollah of widely using ambulances and medical infrastructure for military purposes, warning Israel would act if the practice continued.

Israel has already carried out several strikes on medical facilities, including one late Friday night that killed at least 12 emergency workers, including doctors and nurses, in the village of Burj Qalaway (Bint Jbeil district).

Iranian forces say USS Abraham Lincoln forced to withdraw

A spokesman for the Iranian armed forces said Iran had disabled the USS Abraham Lincoln, the largest U.S. warship, forcing it to withdraw from the area, according to a statement reported by Al Jazeera and local media including Al Mayadeen.

Death of French soldier: Macron thanks Iraq for protection measures

French President Emmanuel Macron thanked Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for his “commitment to fully clarify” the drone strike that killed a French soldier in Iraqi Kurdistan, and for strengthening protection measures for French forces in Iraq, AFP reported.

“We will continue our coordination and efforts in favor of the country’s stability and sovereignty, as well as regional de-escalation,” Macron said today on X, a day after his call with the Iraqi leader.

Oil loading operations suspended at UAE port after drone attack

Some oil loading operations at the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, outside the Strait of Hormuz, were suspended after a drone attack and fire this morning, Bloomberg News reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. Reuters also reported the information.

At least 56 museums and historical sites damaged in Iran during war

Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism said at least 56 museums and historical sites across the country have been damaged as the war with Israel and the United States enters its 15th day, AFP reported.

In Tehran, Israeli-American bombardments damaged the Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, during the first days of the conflict. Sometimes compared to Versailles, the palace is one of the oldest sites in the Iranian capital and served as the residence of the Qajar royal dynasty (1789–1925).

According to the ministry, Tehran province recorded the highest number of damaged monuments, with 19 sites affected to varying degrees.

In Isfahan, in central Iran, the Naqsh-e Jahan Square, a 17th-century architectural landmark surrounded by mosques, a palace and a historic bazaar, also sustained damage.

In Bushehr, a port city on the Gulf, several houses in the historic Siraf port district, home to many century-old buildings, were hit.

UNESCO warned yesterday about the risks to cultural heritage amid the wave of airstrikes, missiles and drone attacks across the Middle East, noting that historical sites in Iran, Israel and Lebanon have already been damaged and that hundreds of others could be threatened by the war.

Israeli army says Hezbollah fighters killed while placing rockets in Majadel

The Israeli army said it identified Hezbollah fighters placing rockets in a weapons depot in the village of Majadel (Sour district) on Friday and that its air force struck the site and “eliminated” the fighters within minutes.

Several Israeli airstrikes were reported in the village yesterday by our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

The building in Bourj Hammoud targeted by Israel after the first strike that hit it, March 14, 2026. The latest impact is the larger of the two. (Credit: Lucile Wassermann / L’Orient-Le Jour)

Trump reportedly told advisers Iran would likely back down before closing Strait of Hormuz

Although he acknowledged the risk that Iran could close the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly told his team that Tehran would likely back down before doing so. He added that even if Iran attempted to shut the waterway, the U.S. military could handle the situation, The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday, citing people familiar with the discussions.

According to the newspaper, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine warned Trump that a U.S. attack could push Iran to close the strait.

Despite the warning, Trump “went ahead with the most significant foreign policy decision of his two terms,” the newspaper reported.

Qatar evacuates parts of Doha before reporting missile interceptions

Qatari authorities evacuated part of Msheireb district in Doha, which hosts government offices and a Google office, early Saturday morning, according to witnesses.

Witnesses also said parts of Education City, home to campuses of six American universities, were evacuated.

The evacuation orders came after Qatar’s Interior Ministry said authorities were evacuating “a number of specific areas as a temporary precautionary measure,” without specifying the locations.

The move occurred about one hour before authorities reported intercepting missiles over Qatar.

Israeli airstrike hits Taybeh in southern Lebanon; artillery targets Khiam

Israeli warplanes struck the village of Taybeh (Marjayoun district), according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

The town of Khiam (Marjayoun) was also hit by Israeli artillery fire.

Israel warns of strikes on medical infrastructure, accuses Hezbollah of military use

The Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, accused Hezbollah of extensively using ambulances and medical infrastructure for military purposes, warning Israel would act if the practice continues.

“We warn that the military use of medical infrastructure and ambulances must stop immediately,” the statement said. “If this practice does not cease, Israel will act against any military activity carried out by Hezbollah using these infrastructures and ambulances.”

The statement comes after several rescue workers were killed in Israeli airstrikes in recent days.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said an Israeli strike on a health center in the village of Bourj Qalawiyeh (Bint Jbeil district) killed at least 12 emergency workers, including doctors and nurses, late last night.

Hezbollah claims 16 attacks against Israeli soldiers and towns since overnight

Hezbollah says it has carried out a large number of attacks against the Israeli army in southern Lebanon, as reports cited by Axios indicate Israel is preparing a large-scale ground invasion of Lebanon.

In its 16th statement of the day, Hezbollah said it fired a rocket barrage at 7:30 a.m. targeting a gathering of Israeli soldiers on Aqaba Hill, in the border town of Maroun al-Ras.

The group also said it fired rockets at 5 a.m. toward the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona (15th statement).

In another statement (14th), Hezbollah said it launched rocket barrages at 4:45 a.m., for the second time, against a gathering of Israeli soldiers on Al-Khazzan Hill, in the border town of Adaisseh. Earlier, the group had claimed rocket attacks at 4:20 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. on the same position (12th and 13th statements).

In its 11th statement, Hezbollah said it carried out artillery strikes at 4 a.m. against a gathering of Israeli soldiers in Hamoussiyeh, west of Blida.

Earlier, the group claimed:

• a 3:45 a.m. rocket attack against the Israeli town of Metula (10th statement),
• and a 2:30 a.m. rocket strike on the Ein Zeitim base, north of the Israeli city of Safed (9th statement).

Hezbollah also said that at 1:50 a.m. it struck an Israeli armored vehicle at the Khiam detention center with a guided missile, hitting the target directly (7th statement). In another statement (8th), it reported a rocket attack against Israeli vehicles and soldiers near the Khiam prison.

The group also claimed a rocket attack at 12:40 a.m. against a newly established Israeli position at Nimr al-Jamal, opposite the border village of Alma al-Shaab (6th statement). In its 5th statement, Hezbollah said it fired rockets at 12:40 a.m. at a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the Balat al-Mustahdath site in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah also said it carried out suicide drone attacks against Israeli military sites:

• the Ein Shemer base, a missile air-defense base about 75 km from the Lebanese border, east of Hadera, on Friday at 9:45 p.m. (4th statement),
• and the Stella Maris base on Friday at 7 p.m., a strategic maritime surveillance base on Israel’s northern coast (3rd statement).

In its first statement today, Hezbollah said it fired a rocket barrage at 12:15 a.m. at Israeli soldiers near the Khiam municipality. In its second statement, it said it launched rockets at 12:10 a.m. at Israeli soldiers in the border town of Maroun al-Ras.

Overnight from yesterday to today, the Israeli army said Iran and Hezbollah carried out a joint missile barrage, as sirens sounded in central and northern Israel and in the occupied West Bank, according to Haaretz. No casualties have been reported so far.

Death toll from Israeli strike in Saida rises to four

The death toll from the Israeli airstrike that targeted an apartment on Nabih Berri Avenue in Saida has risen to four, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

Four members of the Teriaki family were killed: the father Ali, the mother Youmna, and their sons Abdallah and Hassan.

Missile hits helipad at US Embassy in Iraq, officials say

A missile struck a helipad inside the compound of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Saturday morning, The Associated Press reported, citing two Iraqi security officials. The information was also reported by Reuters.

A column of smoke was seen rising above the complex this morning, AP added.

The Iran-allied militia Kataeb Hezbollah said it carried out the attack Saturday, claiming it targeted a C-RAM interception system, according to the group’s media outlet cited by Haaretz. The militia also released a video of the strike that appears to show a fire inside the embassy compound.

The C-RAM, short for Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar, is a system designed to detect and intercept incoming projectiles.

Iranian official reports nearly two hours of continuous explosions during U.S. attack on Kharg Island

After the U.S. strikes on Kharg Island, a senior official from Iran’s Oil Ministry, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, told The New York Times that the attacks were extensive and extremely violent.

According to the official, employees at oil refineries reported nearly two hours of continuous explosions that shook the island “like an earthquake.”

The official added that an attack on Kharg Island’s oil and gas infrastructure would immediately halt a large portion of Iran’s oil exports.

Israel preparing large-scale ground invasion of Lebanon, officials tell Axios

Israel plans to significantly expand its ground operation in Lebanon, aiming to seize the entire area south of the Litani River and dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, Axios reported, citing Israeli and U.S. officials.

According to the U.S. outlet, this could become the largest Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon since 2006, and an operation of such scale could lead to a prolonged Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon.

“We will do what we did in Gaza,” a senior Israeli official said, referring to the destruction of buildings that Israel accuses Hezbollah of using to store weapons and launch attacks.

Until a few days ago, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been trying to contain the escalation in Lebanon in order to stay focused on Iran, according to Israeli officials.

That calculation changed on Wednesday when Hezbollah launched more than 200 missiles in a massive attack coordinated with Iran, which also fired dozens of projectiles, Axios reported.

“Before this attack, we were ready for a cease-fire in Lebanon, but after this there is no turning back from a massive operation,” a senior Israeli official said.

“We believe we have the full support of the United States for this operation,” he added.

“The Israelis have to do what they have to do to stop Hezbollah’s fire,” a U.S. official told Axios.

Hamas urges Iran to avoid targeting neighboring countries

Hamas has called on Iran to refrain from targeting Middle Eastern and Gulf countries, while affirming Tehran’s right to defend itself against Israel and the United States, according to a statement from the Palestinian organization relayed by AFP.

Hamas also called on the international community to “work to immediately end” the ongoing war.

Bourj Hammoud apartment hit again after earlier strike

Just over 24 hours after a targeted strike on a building in the Burj Hammoud/Nabaa area, in Beirut’s northeastern suburbs, the same location, an apartment on the third floor of the building, was bombed again.

➡️ What you need to know about this new strike here

After the first strike, our journalists Carolien Hayek and Lucile Wasserman cross-checked testimonies from residents and security forces to understand what had happened.

➡️ Read their report here

Israeli incursions reported in southern Lebanon

Israeli soldiers carried out an incursion toward Maroun al-Ras (Bint Jbeil), triggering clashes with Hezbollah, our correspondent reports.

Other attempted incursions were observed:

• One in Aitaroun, targeted by a guided missile
• Another in Khiam, accompanied by bombardments and heavy artillery fire

Violent clashes then took place between the Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters in Aitaroun.

During the night, artillery fire targeted Aitaroun, Ainata, and the town of Bint Jbeil.

Around 4 a.m., additional shelling hit Arnoun and Yohmor al-Shaqif

Earlier, late Friday evening, two airstrikes targeted Jibsheet and Toul in the Nabatieh district.

Southern Lebanon: Israeli strike kills 3 members of the same family in Haret Saida

Three members of the Teriaki family were killed this morning in an Israeli strike targeting an apartment located on Nabih Berri Avenue in the Haret Saida neighborhood east of the city, reports our southern Lebanon correspondent.

The victims are the father Ali, the mother Youmna, and their son Abdallah.

The toll is preliminary.

Situation on the Iranian front: Trump mentions ‘one of the most powerful bombing raids in Middle East history’

Exactly two weeks after the start of the war in the Middle East, Donald Trump said Iran is “completely defeated.” However, Tehran threatened today to “reduce to ashes” energy infrastructure linked to the United States if its main oil hub is attacked.

Donald Trump also announced on the social network Truth Social that the United States had “carried out one of the most powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East and completely destroyed every MILITARY target in the jewel of Iran, the island of Kharg Island.”

Welcome to our live coverage of the war in the Middle East

Welcome to our live coverage of the war in the Middle East, especially the escalation on the Lebanese front, which is now entering its 12th day.

In this live report, we will follow events in Lebanon, as Israel prepares a new ground invasion. We will also report developments across the Middle East, as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, promised to “avenge” the death of his father and predecessor in his first message since taking office.

➡️ For developments from Thursday and overnight, see yesterday’s live coverage here.