Trump says downing of 2 US aircraft over Iran 'won't impact' negotiations
U.S. President Donald Trump said that the destruction of two American aircraft over Iran “will have no impact on negotiations with Iran,” which Tehran has also said it has rejected, NBC News reported.
During a brief phone interview, Trump declined to provide details on an ongoing rescue operation, as one of the three U.S. crew members has not yet been located.
When asked about the potential impact of the incident on ongoing talks, he replied: “No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war.”
Israeli air force carries out new strike on bridge in Bekaa, jets break the sound barrier
The Israeli air force carried out a second strike on one of two bridges over the Litani River — which it had previously targeted — near Sohmor, in southwestern Bekaa.
Warplanes also broke the sound barrier over the area, according to our correspondent.
Israel blames Hezbollah again for incident that injured 3 peacekeepers in southern Lebanon
The Israeli army said in a statement issued by its spokespersons that responsibility for the “shelling” that injured three Indonesian UNIFIL soldiers — two of them seriously — earlier on Friday near Odaisseh (Marjayoun district) in southern Lebanon lies with Hezbollah.
“Hezbollah fired a shell that landed inside a UNIFIL post in the Odaisseh area … Analysis of the firing trajectory shows unequivocally that this fire was carried out by Hezbollah,” the army said.
According to a map published by the Israeli military, the shell was fired from a location more than 10 kilometers from the targeted base, north of the Litani River.
The Israeli army had previously made similar claims regarding a comparable incident that killed two other Indonesian peacekeepers on March 30 on the road between Markaba and Beni Hayan (Marjayoun), without providing further evidence.
Conversely, several hostile incidents have in the past been explicitly attributed to Israel by UNIFIL. Since the start of the war on March 2, artillery fire landing near UNIFIL patrols — including those of the French battalion — has been attributed to Israel, as was the case during the ceasefire period and during the previous war in autumn 2024.
Tehran claims it shot down US aircraft near the Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s air defense system “targeted an enemy A-10 aircraft in southern waters near the Strait of Hormuz,” Iranian state media reported on Friday.
The claim aligns with earlier reporting by The New York Times that a second U.S. military aircraft crashed in the Gulf on Friday, after another aircraft, an F-15, was shot down over western Iran.
Second US military aircraft crashes near the Strait of Hormuz, NYT reports
A second U.S. military aircraft crashed on Friday “near the Strait of Hormuz,” according to two U.S. officials cited by The New York Times.
The sole pilot on board the aircraft — an A-10 Warthog attack plane — was later rescued unharmed, the sources said, without providing details on the circumstances or exact location of the crash.
They added that the incident occurred shortly after another U.S. fighter jet, an F-15E, was shot down over western Iran. One crew member has been rescued, while search efforts are ongoing to locate the second.
Tehran rejects US 48-hour cease-fire offer, Iranian media report
The Iranian authorities rejected a U.S. proposal for a 48-hour cease-fire on Friday, according to an anonymous source cited by the semi-official Fars news agency.
According to the source, the offer was made on Wednesday via a third country, which was not identified.
Earlier reporting by the Wall Street Journal indicated that Tehran had informed Pakistani mediators it was not willing to meet U.S. officials in Islamabad in the coming days.
Washington has so far made no comment on the matter, Reuters reported.
WHO expresses concern over 'multiple attacks' on health facilities in Iran
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has condemned “multiple attacks” targeting health facilities in Iran since the start of the war, noting in particular that the Pasteur Institute is now unable to operate.
Strikes caused significant damage to the key Tehran-based facility, Iran’s Health Ministry said on Thursday, describing it as an attack on "reason, research, and freedom of thought."
"Multiple attacks on health have been reported in the Iranian capital, Tehran, in recent days amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, "WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X.
He added that Iran’s Pasteur Institute, a member of the International Pasteur Network but not directly linked to its Paris counterpart, was rendered "unable to continue delivering health services"
Israeli army reiterates its intention to 'dismantle all Hezbollah infrastructure'
Following conflicting military leaks reported earlier today in some media outlets, the Israeli army spokesperson, reaffirmed that the objective of its offensive in Lebanon is to dismantle all Hezbollah infrastructure and weapons.
“The Israeli army will not abandon its goal of dismantling all Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure. This is an ongoing objective, we are committed to it and working to achieve it in order to remove the threat to northern communities, as we did before the current battle. Intensifying severe strikes against Hezbollah, everywhere and at all times, will bring us closer to this goal,” the spokesperson said in a recorded statement.
He also repeated earlier army claims that 1,000 Hezbollah fighters have been killed since fighting resumed on March 2, and that more than 3,500 targets have been struck in Lebanon.
He also claimed responsibility for rocket fire on Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. targeting Israeli troops positioned in Maroun al-Ras (Bint Jbeil), and said additional barrages were fired at the Israeli localities of Nahariya, Kiryat Shmona and Avivim.
Hezbollah says it targeted Israeli soldiers with sniper fire for the first time
Hezbollah said it has, for the first time since the war began on March 2, targeted Israeli soldiers invading southern Lebanon with sniper fire in the village of Rshaf (Bint Jbeil district) on Thursday.
In a statement, the group said its fighters “targeted two Israeli soldiers at 4 p.m. on April 2 in Rshaf in a sniper operation, inflicting direct injuries.”
It also claimed responsibility for rocket fire on Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. against Israeli troops positioned in Maroun al-Ras (Bint Jbeil).
In addition, it said it carried out further rocket barrages targeting the Israeli localities of Nahariya, Kiryat Shmona and Avivim.
A Syrian teenager killed by Israeli tank fire near the occupied Golan border
Syrian state media al-Akhbariya reported that a 17-year-old Syrian, identified as Oussama Fahad, was killed on Friday by an artillery shell fired from an Israeli tank in the Quneitra region near the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Protests have taken place in recent days near the border, with Syrian demonstrators reacting to the adoption of a bill by the Israeli parliament legalizing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis.
Tehran says it does not want to meet US negotiators in Pakistan, WSJ reports
Iran has officially informed Pakistani mediators that it is not willing to meet U.S. officials in Islamabad in the coming days, saying that U.S. demands for a deal to end the war are “unacceptable,” the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.
Israel delays strikes on Iran to facilitate search for crew of downed US aircraft, CNN reports
An Israeli official said the Israeli military has decided to postpone several strikes on Iran in order not to disrupt U.S.-led search operations for the two crew members of a fighter jet shot down over Iran on Friday, CNN reported.
The U.S. military said it is actively searching for the crew of the F-15-type aircraft, which was hit earlier by a projectile fired from Iranian territory, marking a first since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran nearly five weeks ago.
One crew member has been rescued, according to U.S. and Israeli media, while efforts continue to locate the second pilot.
Hezbollah claims new rocket fire on northern Israel
Hezbollah said it carried out a new series of attacks targeting Israeli positions in northern Israel.
The Shiite group said it fired rocket barrages this afternoon at what it described as “Israeli military infrastructure” in Safed, and repeatedly targeted the towns of Nahariya and Rosh Pina.
One person was injured by “simultaneous missile fire from Iran and Lebanon,” according to Haaretz.
US Embassy in Beirut warns of possible Iranian attacks on universities in Lebanon
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut said on Friday that "Iran and its aligned terrorist militias may intend to target universities in Lebanon."
"Iran has specifically threatened American universities across the Middle East. If you are in the country, the Department of State urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial flight options remain available," the embassy said in a statement published on its official website.
After threats from Tehran against American universities across the region, a political and media controversy has emerged in Lebanon in recent days, with commentators close to Hezbollah echoing these Iranian claims and naming the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Lebanese American University (LAU) as potential targets.
The issue comes amid tensions surrounding an expulsion order issued by the Lebanese government against Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon.
Three killed in strike on residential area in Tehran
At least three people have been killed in a strike targeting a residential area in northern Tehran, according to Iran’s Mehr news agency, as cited by Al Jazeera.
A pilot from the U.S. aircraft shot down over Iran reportedly found, according to several media outlets
One of the two crew members of the U.S. fighter jet shot down earlier on Friday over Iran has reportedly been found alive by a U.S. military rescue team, according to two U.S. officials cited by CBS News.
“A crew member of the downed aircraft has been recovered by U.S. forces. Search operations are continuing to locate the second,” the U.S. outlet reported, saying the incident occurred in central Iran.
The incident was confirmed earlier by a U.S. official to Reuters, while Iranian state news agency Mehr reported that a U.S. helicopter involved in the search operation may also have been struck by a projectile.
Uncertainty remains over the type of aircraft destroyed. Iranian sources have referred to an F-35, while U.S. reports suggest it may have been an F-15, typically operated with a two-person crew.
Meanwhile, the governor of Iran’s Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province in central-west Iran said that anyone “capturing or killing” a member of the crew would be “specially rewarded.” Iranian media have also reported that a reward has been offered by authorities to anyone locating the U.S. crew.
Several injured in new Israeli strikes on villages in southern Lebanon
Israel carried out a strike on the village of Reshknanieh (Sour district), leaving several people injured, with the exact toll still unclear.
Other Israeli bombardments targeted the localities of Ramadieh, the public square of Chehabieh (Sour), Safad al-Batikh (Bint Jbeil), Choukine (Nabatieh), as well as the main street of Nabatieh Fawqa.
Separately, an Israeli drone struck a bulldozer near a school in the village of Mansouri (Sour). No injuries were reported.
Third and fourth Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs today
Two new Israeli airstrikes have hit Beirut’s southern suburbs in the past few minutes. This is the third and fourth strikes carried out by Israeli air forces on Friday in Beirut, following a two-day lull in attacks on the capital’s suburbs.
Ministry of Health reports 23 more killed in the past 24 hours
In its daily update, the Ministry of Health said 23 people were killed and 98 injured people over the past 24 hours.
This brings the total toll of the Israeli offensive in Lebanon to at least 1,368 killed and 4,138 injured since March 2, including 125 children killed.
A US search helicopter was also hit by a projectile in Iran
According to the Iranian news agency Mehr, a U.S. helicopter taking part in a mission to search for the crew of the fighter jet previously shot down over Iran was also struck by a projectile.
Israel bombs a house in Ansar and areas near a hospital in Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon
Simultaneously with its recent strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, Israeli air force aircraft bombed a house in the village of Ansar (Nabatieh district), where ambulances were deployed to the scene of the attack in the al-Mashaa neighborhood.
Another Israeli strike hit the vicinity of Salah Ghandour Hospital in Bint Jbeil, as most of the hospital’s remaining medical staff had been evacuated the previous day as a precaution, amid fears of an Israeli ground advance.
Additional strikes targeted several houses in the village of Srifa (Sour), while Israeli artillery fire also hit the town of Braasheet (Bint Jbeil).
Israel carries out multiple strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and Tehran
The Israeli army claimed responsibility for airstrikes carried out minutes ago on Beirut’s southern suburbs, in a message posted on X.
“The Israeli army is carrying out attacks on terrorist infrastructure in Beirut,” read a post on the army’s official Hebrew-language account.
“Alongside the attacks on Beirut, the Israeli army has launched a wide wave of strikes on infrastructure of the Iranian regime in Tehran,” it added in another post on X.
Two loud explosions heard in Beirut and its southern suburbs
Two loud blasts were heard in Beirut and its surroundings.
Preliminary reports indicate two strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, according to local media, while Israeli warplanes also broke the sound barrier over the capital.
Iran offer reward to anyone who finds crew of downed U.S. aircraft
Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency reported that a governor in southwestern Iran announced that anyone who “captures or kills” the crew of the recently downed U.S. aircraft in Iranian airspace “will be specially commended by the governorate,” according to Reuters.
Authorities did not specify what the reward would be.
US official confirms American fighter jet shot down over Iran
A U.S. fighter jet was shot down over Iran on Friday, a U.S. official said on condition of anonymity, Reuters reported.
The aircraft is believed to be an F-15, according to preliminary information. Search and rescue operations are underway to locate any potential survivors, the official added. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Iran’s state news agency YJC also reported that an official in southwestern Iran had called for a large-scale search operation to locate the pilot.
Hezbollah targets northern Israel and Israeli troop gatherings in southern Lebanese villages
Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli military infrastructure in Safad, about 20 km from Lebanon’s southern border, with a “barrage of rockets” at 2:20 p.m.
It also fired rockets at Kiryat Shmona (for the sixth time), Metula (for the third time) and Kfar Yuval at 1:20 p.m., following earlier warnings issued to residents of several localities in northern Israel.
The Shiite group also said it targeted a gathering of Israeli military vehicles in the Sadr area of Ainata (Bint Jbeil) at 12:30 p.m.
In addition, it reported carrying out several attacks between 2 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., using “rocket salvos and artillery fire” against gatherings of Israeli soldiers and vehicles at the Malikiya site, opposite Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil).
Update on the situation in southern Lebanon:
Five Syrian nationals were killed in a strike that hit a poultry farm in Rmadieh (Sour), according to our correspondent.
In another strike, three people were injured in an Israeli air strike targeting a farm in the same village.
Airstrikes hit the villages of Hanine and Jmaijmeh (Bint Jbeil), while other strikes targeted Haniyeh, Srifa and Shamaa.
Israeli warplanes also carried out an airstrike on Debbine (Marjayoun).
Israeli warplanes fired two missiles at the outskirts of Deir Zahrani (Nabatieh), but the missiles did not explode.
Three UN peacekeepers injured in an explosion near Odaisseh, in southern Lebanon
Three U.N. peacekeepers were injured in an explosion near Odaisseh, in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL said in a statement.
“This afternoon, an explosion inside a UNIFIL position near Odaisseh (Marjayoun) injured three peacekeepers, two of them seriously,” a UNIFIL spokesperson said in a statement, adding that they had been evacuated to hospital.
“We do not yet know the cause of the explosion. It has been a difficult week for peacekeepers operating near the central part of UNIFIL’s area of operations. We extend our sincerest wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured,” the statement said.
“UNIFIL reminds all parties of their obligations to ensure the safety of peacekeepers, in particular by avoiding any military activity in the vicinity that could put them at risk,” the statement concluded.
Casualties among Indonesia battalion in UNIFIL in Adaisseh
“This afternoon, an explosion inside a U.N. position near Odaisseh (Marjayoun) injured three peacekeepers, two seriously. They are all currently being evacuated to hospital,” UNIFIL spokesperson said in an official statement.
“We do not yet know the origin of the explosion. This has been a difficult week for peacekeepers working near the central part of UNIFIL's area of operations. We send the strongest wishes for a full and fast recovery for all of the injured,” the statement said.
“UNIFIL reminds all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers, including by avoiding combat activities nearby that could put them in danger,” the statement concluded.
On Thursday, UNIFIL had paid tribute to three of its fallen members killed in southern Lebanon Monday, also from the Indonesian battalion. UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel had told L’Orient Today that “the nature and origin of the explosion that caused their deaths are under investigation.”
Iran: Fars news agency reports the military is searching for the pilot of a downed US fighter jet
Iran: The Fars news agency reports that the military is searching for the pilot of a downed U.S. fighter jet.
Iran: a powerful explosion rocks northern Tehran
Iran: a powerful explosion rocks northern Tehran, an AFP journalist reported
Trump says the US can ‘open’ the Strait of Hormuz with ‘a little more time’
Trump says the U.S. can "open" the Strait of Hormuz with "a little more time," reports AFP.
Israelis attack facilities belonging to the South Lebanon Water Authority once again
Israeli strikes in South Lebanon continue to damage facilities belonging to the South Lebanon Water Authority. These attacks targeted the Ibl al-Saqi and Maysat (Marjayoun) stations, causing significant damage, as well as damaging the solar systems at the Zahriya station in Qennarit, Saida, and the solar panels in the village of Sharqieh (Nabatieh), according to a statement from the Water Authority.
The South Lebanon Water Authority strongly condemned the targeting of these vital infrastructures, particularly water facilities, which constitutes a clear violation of international conventions enshrining the neutrality of civilian infrastructure during armed conflicts. It called on international and humanitarian organizations to exert pressure to bring these attacks to an end and to ensure the continuity of water supplies to the inhabitants of southern Lebanon.
Israel continues to target villages in the Sour district, injuring several people
- An Israeli airstrike injured three people on a farm in the village of Ramadieh (Sour).
- Heavy artillery fire targeted the villages of Majdalzoun, Qleileh, and Mansouri, also in Sour.
- An Israeli drone strike targeted the village of Jwayya for the third time, and another targeted the village of Debaal, both also in Sour.
Netanyahu: 'We will continue to strike Iran, in full coordination with Trump'
Israel will continue to strike Iran in coordination with the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a situation assessment at the Israeli army’s Kirya headquarters in Tel Aviv, according to The Times of Israel.
“In full coordination between myself and President Trump,” Mr Netanyahu said in a video statement released by his office, “and between the [Israeli army] and the U.S. military, we will continue to strike Iran. This regime is weaker than ever; Israel is stronger than ever.”
Israel kills 2 people and injures 11 in airstrike on mosque in Sohmor
Israel killed two people and injured 11 others in an airstrike on a mosque in Sohmor in the Bekaa Valley, according to our correspondent in the region.
Abu Dhabi: 12 people injured after missile interception
Twelve people were injured, one seriously, by falling missile debris following an interception in Abu Dhabi, authorities said.
Seven of the injured are Nepalese nationals and five are Indian. The incident occurred in the Ajban area, near the Zayed military site.
A witness told AFP that they had seen smoke rising from the site and numerous security force vehicles arriving.
Clashes currently underway between Hezbollah and Israeli forces attempting to advance near the village of Shamaa
Clashes involving small arms and rockets between Hezbollah fighters and an Israeli army force attempting to advance near the village of Shamaa (Sour) have been ongoing for over an hour, according to our correspondent in the region.
An Israeli army force is blowing up houses inside Naqoura (Sour).
Katz: Disarming Hezbollah ‘through military and political means’ is the ‘main objective’ in Lebanon
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that Israel remains committed to disarming Hezbollah "through military and political means," according to The Times of Israel.
“Israel’s policy in Lebanon has been and remains clear: the main objective is the disarmament of Hezbollah by military and political means, regardless of the Iranian issue,” Katz said following a briefing with military officials.
He indicated that the Israeli army is in the process of completing its ground offensive in southern Lebanon.
Katz added that the Israeli army “will maintain security control” in southern Lebanon, up to the Litani River, and that “the return of the 600,000 residents of southern Lebanon who have moved north… will not be permitted until the safety of the residents of the north is assured."
Pope Leo calls on Israeli president to end the war in Iran
Pope Leo called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Friday, during a telephone conversation, to “reopen all channels of dialogue” to end the war in Iran, the Vatican said, according to Reuters.
The Pope, who has established himself as a vocal critic of the regional conflict, also urged Herzog to protect civilians and promote respect for international and humanitarian law, the Vatican added.
Israel threatens to strike two bridges linking Sohmor to Mashghara in the Bekaa Valley
Israel has threatened to strike the bridges linking Sohmor to Mashghara in the Bekaa Valley.
The Israeli army plans to occupy southern Lebanon up to 3 km from the border, according to Israeli media
The Israeli army, which continues its invasion into Lebanese territory and has been blowing up houses in several border villages, says it is planning to establish considering establishing a buffer zone similar to the Yellow Line in Gaza, extending up to 3 km from the border with Lebanon, according to Israeli media.
In this context, military officials claim that Israel “would not be able to disarm Hezbollah as this would require occupying the whole of Lebanon” and believe that a possible ceasefire in Iran “should not be linked to the cessation of fighting in Lebanon."
Municipality of Ain Ibl denies rumours of village evacuation
The municipality of Ain Ibl in southern Lebanon, a village from which the Lebanese Army withdrew on Tuesday, denied on Friday reports that a request had been made to evacuate the area.
“Reports are circulating regarding a request to evacuate Ain Ibl, which is false. The only measure being considered, as a precaution, is the relocation of residents from the northern part of the village to the southern part for security reasons, and not a departure from Ain Ibl” the municipality clarified in a statement. “We are staying on our land and holding firm,” the statement added.
A resident of Ain Ibl, who wishes to remain anonymous for security reasons, also told our publication that “what is being posted on social media is false.” “There has been an order to evacuate only a few houses on the northern side of the village. Only a few cars are preparing to leave the village, including some carrying pregnant women. The rest of the residents will not be leaving,” he emphasized.
The Lebanese Army withdrew on Tuesday from several border towns in southern Lebanon, notably Rmeish, Ain Ibl, Dibl, and Qlaya. The following day, it stated that it was keeping soldiers in these villages and denounced the criticism directed at it. Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar stated on Wednesday that members of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) are still present in the border villages.
Israeli airstrike kills 2 people and injures 7 near a mosque in Sohmor, the Bekaa Valley
An Israeli airstrike targeted an area near a mosque in Sohmor, the Bekaa Valley, killing two people and injuring seven others, according to our correspondent in the region.
Latest update on situation in South Lebanon
An Israeli drone strike killed two people in the town of Burj Qalaway (Bint Jbeil).
An Israeli drone strike killed a Syrian national and injured four others in Shaaitieh (Sour).
Israeli drone strikes targeted the towns of Yohmor al-Shaqif (Nabatieh) and Boustan (Sour).
Israel releases transcripts of what it claims to be interrogations of two Hezbollah detainees in Israel
The Israeli army has released the transcripts of what it claims are the interrogations of two Hezbollah members detained by its troops in southern Lebanon, “as they were preparing to launch rockets at northern Israel.”
Israel continues to strike and launch artillery fire across southern Lebanon
Israeli artillery fire targeted the areas around Hariss, Kafra (Bint Jbeil), and Khiam (Marjayoun), our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported.
An Israeli airstrike hit the town of Jwayya (Sour).
Israeli artillery fire targeted Khiam (Marjayoun).
Two warning strikes targeted areas near the centers of the Islamic Health Committee, affiliated with Hezbollah, and the al-Rissala Scouts, affiliated with the Amal Movement, in Jwayya (Sour).
Hezbollah continues to target northern Israel
At 11.45 am, Hezbollah targeted Kiryat Shmona, opposite Houla (Marjeyoun), for the fifth time with a rocket attack.
At 10 am, Hezbollah launched simultaneous rocket attacks targeting Israeli army gatherings at two locations: the town of Misgav Am and Hounin (Marjayoun).
Kuwait: power and desalination plant targeted in Iranian attack
A power and water desalination plant in Kuwait was hit by an “Iranian attack,” causing material damage, the government said on Friday in a statement posted on X, without specifying its location.
According to an AFP correspondent on the ground, this had no impact on electricity or water supply services.
Gas complex shut down in Abu Dhabi following a fire caused by an intercepted attack
Abu Dhabi has shut down a gas complex after debris fell following the interception of an attack, which caused a fire at the site, the government said on Friday.
“The Habshan gas facilities have been shut down until the fire that broke out has been brought under control,” stated the press release published on X, adding that there were no injuries.
6,594 injured in Israel since war with Iran started, Israeli Health Ministry says
The Israeli Health Ministry announced that the total number of injured individuals evacuated to hospitals since the start of its "Operation Roaring Lion" against Iran on Feb. 28 has reached 6,594 as of Friday morning, according to the Jewish News Syndicate.
The Israeli ministry stated that 125 injured people are currently receiving treatment in hospitals: 2 are in critical condition, 14 in serious condition, 24 in moderate condition, 79 with minor injuries, one suffering from anxiety, and 5 cases still under medical evaluation.
In the past 24 hours, 148 injured individuals were admitted to hospitals, including 4 in moderate condition, 108 with minor injuries, 31 suffering from anxiety, and 5 cases under medical evaluation.
Centcom denies that one of its jets was shot down by the Iranians
The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) has denied that one of its jets was shot down over the Strait of Hormuz, as previously claimed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in a statement reported by U.S. media outlets such as Sky News. The statement asserts that “all aircraft are at their bases.”
A CMA CGM container ship has passed through the Strait of Hormuz
A CMA CGM container ship has passed through the Strait of Hormuz, stating that it has a “French owner," according to shipping tracking data reported by AFP.
Israeli ocucpation forces in southern Lebanon
The deployment of the Israeli army in Lebanon, around 8 km from the border, will be completed within about a week, according to Israeli radio
The Israeli army estimates that the deployment mission along the ‘anti-tank line’ in Lebanon, approximately 8 kilometers from the Israeli border, will be completed within about a week, Israeli radio station KAN has announced.
Israeli military officials claim the army cannot disarm Hezbollah, according to Haaretz
Israeli military officials have stated that they would not be able to disarm Hezbollah, as this would require occupying the whole of Lebanon, adding that “only the Lebanese state can disarm this group,” according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz and other Israeli media outlets.
In the coming days, the Israeli army plans to present political leaders with a proposal to establish a “security zone” in southern Lebanon, extending 2 to 3 kilometers from the Israeli border, the newspaper reports. “Under this plan, no military outposts would be built in this zone, and most of the civilians living in its villages would be evacuated to avoid any conflict between the troops and the civilian population.”
Officials added that “any cease-fire in Iran should not be linked to a halt in the fighting in Lebanon, which is expected to continue.”
According to Haaretz, the army “is seeking to ensure that Hezbollah members do not return to the villages located in the security zone and believes that Hezbollah still has several thousand rockets, most of them short-range.”
So far, according to the Israeli army, only a few members of Hezbollah have been spotted in the villages closest to the border, but infrastructure used by Hezbollah and weapons have been discovered, some of which had not been identified during the previous war (2023–2024). “Others were established there subsequently, which demonstrates Hezbollah’s reconstruction efforts,” the army concludes.
Further attacks by Hezbollah
At 9 am, Hezbollah targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in Margaliot with "a barrage of rockets."
At 9.05 am, it also targeted "the headquarters of the 769th Brigade in Kiryat Shmona with a barrage of rockets."
Between 9 and 9.15 am, Hezbollah fighters also targeted Israeli soldiers in Houla, as well as the towns of Metula and Ma’ayan Baruch with rocket barrages.
Israel destroys husseiniyya, buildings, and shops in Srifa
Photo sent by our correspondent in southern Lebanon, Muntasser Abdallah
Israeli air strikes have targeted Srifa (Sour) on four occasions, destroying the village’s husseiniyya, s a four-floor building, and a number of shops.
Another Iranian attack on the United Arab Emirates
The UAE Ministry of Defense has announced that the UAE’s air defense system has intercepted missiles and drones originating from Iran, reports Reuters.
Latest update on situation in South Lebanon
Israeli air strikes have targeted Srifa (Sour) and Braasheet (Bint Jbeil).
Hezbollah carried out two further attacks at 9 am and 9.10 am against Kiryat Shmona.
Hezbollah claims responsibility for new attacks on Israel
• Hezbollah claims an attack on a group of Israeli soldiers gathered near Malikiyeh at 6am.
• It also targeted Kiryat Shmona twice with “a barrage of rockets.”
• Hezbollah claims an attack on the town of Metula at 8 am with “a barrage of rockets.”
Israel renews evacuation order for residents of southern suburbs of Beirut
Israel issued a new evacuation order this morning for the neighborhoods of the southern suburbs of Beirut. These include Haret Hreik, Ghobeiri, Laylaki, Hadath, Burj al-Barajneh, Tahwitat al-Ghadir, and Chiyah.
Refinery hit by Iranian missiles in Kuwait
Kuwait has reported being the target of missile and drone attacks on the 35th day of the war in the Middle East.
“Kuwaiti air defenses are currently repelling hostile missile and drone attacks,” the army general staff wrote on X, adding that the “explosions heard are the result of the interception” of these attacks.
Shortly afterwards, the national news agency Kuna reported a drone attack targeting the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait, which caused fires in several units at the site, citing the Gulf nation’s national oil company.
“The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation [KPC] said that the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery had been targeted by a drone attack early this morning, causing fires in several operational units,” the agency reported, adding that no casualties had been reported.
Strait of Hormuz: Iran warns UN Security Council against any ‘provocative action’
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned against any "provocative action" ahead of an expected vote by the U.N. Security Council on the use of force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
This strategic thoroughfare for the global hydrocarbon market has been almost completely blocked by Iran in response to the U.S.-Israeli attack on its territory on Feb. 28.
“Araghchi emphasizes that any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including at the U.N. Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only further complicate the situation,” according to a statement from his ministry reported by AFP.
Iran claims to have shot down a second US jet
Iran announced early on Friday that it had shot down a second U.S. F-35 jet over the Mehr region of Iran, Reuters reports. According to Iranian sources cited by the agency, it is “unlikely” that the pilot survived.
Israel claims to be intercepting missiles fired from Iran
The Israeli military said on Friday that it had activated its air defense system to intercept missiles fired from Iran.
According to Iranian media, the Revolutionary Guards, the Republic’s ideological army, claimed to have fired “long-range” missiles towards Tel Aviv and the southern resort town of Eilat.
Overnight update on situation in South Lebanon
Throughout the day on Thursday, Israel targeted 22 villages in southern Lebanon. Eighteen others were hit by artillery fire, whilst houses were blown up in three villages. For its part, Hezbollah carried out 49 attacks against Israel. Overnight from Thursday to Friday, the following attacks took place, according to reports from our correspondent:
Israeli attacks:
- At midnight, Israel carried out a drone strike on a house near a center run by the Islamic Health Committee (affiliated with Hezbollah) on the Kafra-Sarbin (Bint Jbeil).
- In a statement issued shortly afterwards, the Bint Jbeil center of the al-Rissala Scouts, affiliated with the Amal Movement, announced that it had evacuated its headquarters due to repeated Israeli attacks on the area surrounding the building.
- Between midnight and 1 am, an Israeli strike targeted the area around the village of Rashaya al-Foukhar (Hasbaya).
- Shortly after 1 am, another Israeli stirke targeted the village of Kfour (Nabatieh district).
Hezbollah announcements:
Between 2.30 and 3 am, Hezbollah issued four statements announcing the following attacks:
- At 1.30 am, the party stated that its fighters had detonated an explosive device as an Israeli patrol passed through the Deir Hanna area in the village of Bayada (Sour), claiming to have "caused casualties" and that a helicopter had arrived to evacuate them;
- At 2.30 am, it claimed to have targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the Israeli region of Malikieh;
- At 2.15 am, it announced that it had fired a volley of rockets at another group of Israeli soldiers in Dayshum;
- At 2.35 am, it said it had targeted the Israeli village of Kfar Yuval.
Welcome to our live news blog
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the war in the Middle East.
We are following closely the escalation on the Lebanese front, where fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli troops has resumed in Khiam, a border town in the eastern sector, whilst Israel continues its attacks on the South.
We will also be reporting on developments across the rest of the region following Donald Trump’s threat in a speech to strike Iran "hard" again for "two to three weeks" — threats to which Iran was quick to respond.
➡️ For all the developments from Wednesday, see our live coverage from yesterday here.
Already have an account? Login here
You have reached your article limit
Israel-Iran-Lebanon: The cease-fire hangs in the balance. Follow every development.
Stay informed for only $6.9/month for 1 year, instead of $12.9.
This article is only available to L’Orient Today subscribers.
Already have an account? Login here