Masnaa border crossing evacuated after Israeli evacuation order; General Security personnel and prisoners transferred | LIVE

Iran command rejects Trump's 'helpless, nervous' ultimatum

Iran's central military command on Saturday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to destroy the country's vital infrastructure if it does not accept a peace deal within 48 hours.

General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, in a statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said Trump's threat was a "helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action."

Trump had said earlier that day that Iran had 48 hours left to make a deal on opening the vital Strait of Hormuz or face "Hell."

Aliabadi warned Trump that "the simple meaning of this message is that the gates of hell will open for you."

Israeli strike on a car near Qaraoun Dam injures 12

An Israeli drone strike on a car near the Qaraoun Dam (Western Bekaa) injured 12 people, our correspondent in the Bekaa reported. Ambulances are on the scene to evacuate the victims.

The missile exploded 400 meters away from the dam, operated by the Litani Water Authority.

B7 rocket fired in Laylaki during a fight

Explosive sounds in Beirut's southern suburbs turned out to be armed groups firing a B7 rocket into the air during a fight in Laylaki.

Israeli evacuation order for Masnaa area and road

The Israeli military issued an evacuation order to the Masnaa border crossing between Syria and Lebanon, as well as to all travelers using the M30 road leading to it.

“Given that Hezbollah is using the Masnaa border crossing for military purposes and to smuggle combat equipment, the Israeli military plans to launch strikes on this border crossing in the coming hours,” Israeli military Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated on X.

“For your safety, we call on everyone in the vicinity of the crossing and all those within the area marked in red on the map to evacuate immediately,” the statement concluded.

Israel preparing for attacks on Iranian energy sites, awaits US green light, official says

Israel is preparing to attack Iranian energy facilities but is awaiting a green light from the United States, a senior Israeli defense official said on Saturday, according to Reuters, adding that any such attacks would likely come within the next week.

The comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum, sharpening focus on whether Washington would back further Israeli military action against Iran.

Israel army says identified missile launched from Yemen

The Israeli military said Saturday it had detected a missile launched from Yemen towards Israeli territory, the fifth since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.

Update from south Lebanon and the Bekaa

• An airstrike that earlier targeted the town of Yater (Bint Jbeil district) killed two people, according to L'Orient Today's correspondents.
• Israeli airstrikes hit Khiam (Marjayoun), Braasheet (Bint Jbeil), Majdal Selm (Marjayoun), and Srifa (Sour).
• Israeli airstrikes on Mashghara in West Bekaa.

Israeli soldier killed in combat in south Lebanon, its army says

The Israeli army said Saturday that Sgt. First Class Guy Ludar, 21, a member of the Magellan commando unit, was killed “in combat” in south Lebanon, as Israel continues its invasion of south Lebanon.

His death brings the number of Israeli soldiers killed in south Lebanon since March 2 to 11, according to AFP.

Hezbollah claims attacks on Israel

Hezbollah said it launched several attacks in Israel and on Israeli positions in Lebanon in the early evening.

The group said it fired rockets at 5 p.m. at Israeli military infrastructure in Safed, in Upper Galilee.

At the same time, it said it targeted a group of Israeli soldiers in Metula, across from Kfar Kila, with a swarm of explosive drones.

It also claimed rocket attacks on the Meron base, used for surveillance and air operations management.

Hezbollah also claimed two attacks on Israeli soldiers in Bayyada (Sour district): a rocket attack at 4 p.m. and a drone strike at 6:30 p.m., which it said directly hit its target.

Iranian missile fire on Israel, several wounded

Several people were wounded in Israel after a series of Iranian missile barrages, emergency services said.

Five people were injured in Tel Aviv and central Israel, according to Israeli responders, after missiles caused material damage.

Since midnight, seven waves of missiles have been launched from Iran toward Israel, the Israeli army said. During the latest barrage in the late afternoon, AFP journalists in Jerusalem reported hearing at least six explosions.

Update from south Lebanon in the late afternoon

Rescuers at the site of the Israeli strike on Kfour (Nabatieh) found two sisters killed under the rubble. They were identified as Fatmeh and Sarah Saleh Abdo Ibrahim.

Israeli airstrikes also struck Kfar Sir (Nabatieh), Mjadel and Shehabieh (Sour), as well as Kafra (Bint Jbeil).

Israeli phosphorus strikes targeted the Jalahieh neighborhood northeast of Khiam (Marjayoun).

Qassem Soleimani's family arrested in US

U.S. federal agents have detained the niece and grand-niece of late Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani after Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked their lawful permanent resident status, the State Department said on Saturday.

"Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement," the State Department said in a statement, adding that Rubio revoked their green cards.

Soleimani was killed in a January 2020 U.S. airstrike in Baghdad during President Donald Trump's first term in office.

The State Department said Afshar supported Iran's government and its propaganda. It also said Afshar's husband was barred from entering the United States.

Iranian oil exports increase despite war

Iranian oil exports from the strategic Kharg Island in the Gulf have recently increased despite strikes and U.S. threats, Iranian media reported.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to “wipe out” the key oil hub if a deal with Tehran is not reached quickly. He has also demanded the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has largely blocked to foreign vessels.

“Over the past few days, not only have oil exports not decreased, they have increased,” said Moussa Ahmadi, head of the Iranian parliament’s energy committee, according to ISNA.

Israel destroys 17 UNIFIL cameras

Israeli troops destroyed 17 surveillance cameras at a U.N. peacekeeping headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon over 24 hours, a U.N. security source told AFP.

UNIFIL said Israeli forces have also destroyed large parts of Naqoura in recent days.

Israeli strikes kill over 1422 people in Lebanon

Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed over 1,422 people and injured over 4,294 others since March 2, the Health Ministry reported.

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or US will unleash 'Hell'

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran had 48 hours left to make a deal on opening the vital Strait of Hormuz or face "Hell."

"Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT," Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to his ultimatum issued on March 26.

"Time is running out," he wrote. "48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them," adding: "Glory be to GOD!"

Israeli army destroys homes in Naqoura

The Israeli army carried out extensive destruction of residential buildings in Naqoura in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent.

Strikes hit three buildings in Sour after Israeli warning

The Israeli army carried out the announced strikes on three buildings identified earlier in the day in Abbassiyeh, Burj al-Shemali and the Maarakeh junction in the Sour district, according to our correspondent.

Russia evacuates 198 workers from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant

Russia has begun evacuating 198 employees from the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran after new strikes hit the area, Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev told Russian media.
“The main wave of evacuation of Rosatom employees from Iran began today as planned,” Likhachev said, according to the TASS news agency, adding that buses carrying “198 people” left “about 20 minutes after” the strike on the plant area.

Hezbollah targets Kiryat Shmona and Israeli army vehicles in Qantara

Hezbollah targeted the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona, opposite Houla (Marjayoun district), with a volley of rockets at 1:45 p.m.

At the same time, the group targeted Israeli army vehicles and soldiers in the town square of Qantara (Marjayoun district) with volleys of rockets.

Iran says it used “new air defense system” to target U.S. aircraft

Iran used a new air defense system yesterday to target a U.S. fighter jet, the Khatam al-Anbiya joint military command said Saturday.
A spokesperson for the command said the country would “without a doubt achieve full control” of its airspace, according to Iranian state media.

Indian gas tanker exits Strait of Hormuz

A vessel flying the Indian flag and carrying liquefied petroleum gas successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz and is now heading toward India, the maritime transport ministry said Saturday.
India, which imports a large share of its oil and gas needs, has negotiated with Tehran to allow some of its ships to pass through the strait.

Iranian missile debris reported in central Israel

An aerial photograph shows a building damaged by an Iranian strike in a residential neighborhood of Ramat Gan on April 4, 2026. (Credit: Jack Guez/AFP)

In the afternoon, Haaretz reported that debris from an Iranian missile fell in several cities in central Israel, including Ramat Gan and Petah Tikva.
The missile launch triggered sirens across central Israel, including in Tel Aviv, Rishon LeZion and Herzliya.



Hezbollah reports multiple attacks in recent hours

Hezbollah said it targeted several Israeli positions in northern Israel, as well as Israeli forces in Lebanon:

• • At 10 a.m., it targeted newly established Israeli artillery positions in Yir’on in northern Israel with a volley of rockets.
  • At 8:30 a.m., it targeted another newly established artillery position in Avivim, less than 1 kilometer from the Blue Line, with a volley of rockets.
  • At 3 a.m., it targeted a gathering of Israeli vehicles and soldiers in Talat Fariz, in the town of Aainata (Bint Jbeil district), with a volley of rockets.
  • At 7:30 p.m. Friday, it targeted an Israeli soldier near the Khiam detention center (Marjayoun district), saying the soldier was hit.

30 Iranian universities affected by the war, Tehran says

More than 30 universities in Iran have been targeted since the start of the war with the United States and Israel in late February, Iran’s science minister said Saturday.
“More than 30 universities have been directly targeted” since Feb. 28, Hossein Simai Sarraf said during a visit to Shahid Beheshti University in northern Tehran.

• Since start of war, Iran has targeted Jordan with 281 missiles and drones, army says
  At a press conference on Saturday, the Jordanian army said Iran had launched 161 missiles and 120 drones at Jordan since the start of the conflict triggered by Tehran against Washington and Tel Aviv.
  Air force units and air defenses intercepted and destroyed 261 of the missiles and drones, the army said, adding that only 20 were not intercepted.
  “The failure rate of ballistic missiles is 15%, confirming the high probability that they fall on Jordanian territory,” it added.
  Material damage was limited to 59 houses, 31 vehicles and 16 incidents involving public property.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they targeted Israel-linked vessel in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted a vessel linked to Israel in the Strait of Hormuz.

Multiple Israeli strikes on villages in southern Lebanon

• Two airstrikes targeted the city of Nabatieh and two others hit the village of Ansar, destroying shops. Airstrikes also targeted the villages of Choukine, Kfar Sir, Deir Zahrani and Harouf (all in the Nabatieh district).
  • An Israeli airstrike also hit the village of Kharayeb (Saida district).
  • Abdel Hussein Cheaito, a member of the Amal Movement from Deir Antar, was killed in the Israeli airstrike on the village of Bazourieh (Sour district) earlier this morning.

⚡ Israeli army issues urgent evacuation warning to residents of Sour

The Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, issued an urgent warning to residents of the city of Sour, as well as the villages of Hamadiyeh, Zakouk al-Mafdi and Burj al-Shemali, all in the Sour district.

“Hezbollah’s activities are forcing the Israeli army to respond forcefully. The Israeli army has no intention of harming you. For your safety, we urge you to immediately evacuate your homes following the area indicated on the map and move north of the Zahrani River,” Adraee said in a post on his X account.

Iran-Iraq border crossing hit by U.S.-Israeli strikes

A U.S.-Israeli attack targeted a commercial terminal at an Iran-Iraq border crossing today, killing one person, Iranian media reported.

“The commercial terminal at the Shalamcheh border crossing, in the city of Khorramshahr in the southwest of the country, was targeted by an air attack carried out by American and Zionist enemies,” Mehr news agency reported, citing Khuzestan province’s deputy governor, Valiollah Hayati.

“An Iraqi driver was killed and two Iranian workers were wounded,” ISNA reported, also quoting Hayati.

According to other sources cited by Reuters, at least five Iraqis were seriously wounded in the strikes, which hit a passenger reception area on the Iranian side.

Iraqi police recovered the body of one man, while the wounded were transported to hospital, most in critical condition.

No increased radiation detected after Israeli strike near Iranian nuclear plant, U.N. says

Iranian authorities said an Israeli strike near the Bushehr nuclear power plant killed one person, but no increase in radiation levels was detected at the site, according to local sources and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The IAEA expressed concern over the attack, warning of the risks of nuclear accidents during the conflict.

“Nuclear power plant sites and their surroundings must never be attacked … Auxiliary buildings may contain essential safety equipment,” the agency said.

Hezbollah continues attacks against Israel

• At 11 a.m., Hezbollah targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in Beit Hillel, about 5 kilometers from Houla (Marjayoun district), with a volley of rockets.
• At the same time, the group also targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the Yiftah military base, about 20 kilometers from Lebanon’s southern border, with a volley of rockets.
• At 10:20 a.m., Hezbollah targeted a gathering of Israeli vehicles and soldiers in Misgav Am, opposite the Lebanese village of Adaissé (Marjayoun district), with a volley of rockets.
• Hezbollah also struck the Kiryat Shmona area in northern Israel twice with rocket fire, first at 9 a.m. and again at 9:45 a.m. The area lies opposite Houla (Marjayoun district).
• At 9:30 a.m., fighters targeted the Israeli town of Metula, opposite Khiam (Marjayoun district), with a volley of rockets.

Casualties reported in Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon since morning

Here are the latest developments and casualty tolls from Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent:

• Two people were killed in a strike targeting a car on the road to Bazourieh (Sour district).
• In Ain Baal, the strike reported earlier this morning killed four people, with one person missing and another wounded.
• An Israeli airstrike targeted the town of Chehabiyeh (Sour district).
• Israeli artillery fire hit the villages of Mansouri, Haniyeh and Qlayleh (all in the Sour district).
• An airstrike targeted the town of Qseibeh, near the Elissa school (Nabatieh district).
• Artillery fire caused damage to the mosque in the town of Sojod (Jezzine district).
• Two houses were destroyed in the airstrike that hit Yohmor this morning in Western Bekaa.

Casualties reported in Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon since morning

Here are the latest developments and casualty tolls from Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent:

• Two people were killed in a strike targeting a car on the road to Bazourieh (Sour district).
• In Ain Baal, the strike reported earlier this morning killed four people, with one person missing and another wounded.
• An Israeli airstrike targeted the town of Chehabiyeh (Sour district).
• Israeli artillery fire hit the villages of Mansouri, Haniyeh and Qlayleh (all in the Sour district).
• An airstrike targeted the town of Qseibeh, near the Elissa school (Nabatieh district).
• Artillery fire caused damage to the mosque in the town of Sojod (Jezzine district).
• Two houses were destroyed in the airstrike that hit Yohmor this morning in Western Bekaa.

Iraq closes Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran

Iraq has closed the southern Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran, security sources told Reuters.

The crossing, located between southern Iraq near Basra and Iran’s Khuzestan province, was shut after airstrikes on the Iranian side killed an Iraqi traveler, the sources said.

Shalamcheh is one of the main crossing points between the two countries.

Credit: Majid Asgaripour/ WANA via Reuters

People carrying Iranian flags walk near the historic Golestan Palace monument after it was damaged by a U.S.-Israeli strike on April 4, 2026.

One killed in strikes on Iranian nuclear facility

U.S.-Israeli strikes hit Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, killing one person, an Iranian state media outlet reported, according to AFP.

Airstrikes target several villages in Sour district

• An airstrike on Ain Baal (Sour) hit a house.
• Another airstrike on Burj al-Shemali (Sour) targeted a car near a café.
• Two people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Zebqine (Sour).
• An airstrike on Qana (Sour) killed one person.

Second Israeli strike on Sohmor bridge in Western Bekaa

At 8:30 a.m., an airstrike targeted the outskirts of Sohmor in Western Bekaa, followed by another at 8:40 a.m. on Yohmor in the same area, our correspondent Sarah Abdallah reported. At 10 a.m., Sohmor was struck again, before an airstrike hit the village bridge at 11 a.m.

At 8 a.m., the Israeli army had contacted Ahmad Karim, head of the civil defense center in Sohmor, asking him to prevent residents and journalists from approaching the bridge due to the risk of another strike.

Sirens sound twice in northern Israel

Sirens sounded twice in Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel, first about an hour and a half ago and again 15 minutes ago, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported. The sirens warn of rockets or drones launched from southern Lebanon by Hezbollah.

Strike kills Iraqi fighter near Syrian border

An Iraqi fighter from the Hashed al-Shaabi was killed today in a strike near the Syrian border, the coalition of former paramilitaries said in a statement, accusing the United States and Israel.

“This treacherous attack resulted in the martyrdom of a Hashed al-Shaabi fighter and wounded four others and a member of the Defense Ministry,” the statement said.

The coalition, which is integrated into Iraq’s state security forces and includes pro-Iran groups, said the “U.S.-Israeli attack” occurred in Anbar province.

Second Turkish-operated ship crosses Strait of Hormuz

A second vessel belonging to a Turkish shipping company has crossed the Strait of Hormuz, Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said Saturday, according to AFP.

“At the time the war broke out, there were 15 ships belonging to Turkish shipowners. Two of these 15 ships have crossed the strait,” he said in an interview with CNN Türk.

He added the crossings were possible due to Turkish diplomatic efforts and because the ships were using Iranian ports or carrying cargo to or from Iran.

A first Turkish-operated ship had crossed the strait “with Iran’s authorization” on March 13.

U.S.-Israeli strikes hit petrochemical site in Iran, Iranian media say

U.S.-Israeli strikes targeted a petrochemical site in Iran, Iranian media reported, according to AFP.

Airstrikes and drone fire wound more people in southern Lebanon

Here is the latest toll from Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent:

• A drone strike targeted the town of Jouaya (Sour), causing casualties.
• A drone strike hit a car on the main road in Bazourieh (Sour), seriously wounding one person, who was taken to hospital.
• A drone strike targeted a motorcycle on the road to Debaal (Sour), seriously injuring the driver.
• Warplanes carried out airstrikes on the villages of Beit Yahoun, Haddatha, Shaqra and Kounine (Bint Jbeil).
• Israeli warplanes also struck the town of Sojod (Jezzine).

Man abducted by Israeli army in Shebaa

Israel continued its attacks on villages in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent:

• A drone strike targeted the Matl area in Shehabiyeh (Sour), wounding several people.
• An airstrike hit the village of Srifa (Sour).
• Israeli warplanes also carried out strikes in recent hours on the villages of Tiri, Shaqra, Baraachit and Haris (Bint Jbeil).
• Around 3 a.m., an Israeli army unit entered the town of Shebaa (Hasbaya), specifically the Ain al-Jouz spring area, abducted a civilian, Sami Imad Saab, a livestock breeder, and then withdrew.

Iran executes two members of banned opposition group

Iranian authorities executed two men Saturday convicted of belonging to a banned opposition group and carrying out destabilizing actions aimed at overthrowing the government, the judiciary said.

The executions are the latest targeting members of the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran, also known as the MEK, four of whose members were hanged earlier this week.

“Abolhassan Montazer and Vahid Baniamerian were hanged after trial and their sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online website reported.

They were convicted of attempting “rebellion involving multiple terrorist acts,” membership in the MEK and sabotage aimed at overthrowing the Islamic Republic, the report said, without specifying when they were arrested.

Summary of overnight Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon

Israel targeted 31 villages in southern Lebanon overnight, according to our correspondent. Key strikes include:

• After 9:30 p.m., an Israeli airstrike hit an industrial zone on the outskirts of Sour. Civil defense teams rescued 10 wounded and began clearing rubble.
• An airstrike targeted Debbine in Marjayoun district.
• Heavy machine-gun fire swept the outskirts of Khiam in Marjayoun, while an airstrike hit the Jabaleh neighborhood in the northeast.
• The Amal Movement announced the death of Ayoub al-Shaibani, killed yesterday in an airstrike on Ramadiyeh in Sour district.
• After 11 p.m., an airstrike targeted an industrial area in Kfar Rummane in Nabatieh district.
• Artillery fire hit Haddatha in Bint Jbeil district, as well as Arnoun and Yohmor in Nabatieh district.
• Warplanes struck Majdal Selm in Sour district.

Developments in southern Lebanon after midnight

Israel continued bombardments earlier today, causing casualties:

• Two airstrikes hit the Hosh area near Sour, destroying two buildings and damaging nearby homes.
• A second strike at the same site wounded Sour civil defense chief Ali Safieddine and two others.
• Artillery hit a building in Rmeich (Bint Jbeil).
• Warplanes struck Zawtar al-Sharqieh (Nabatieh).
• Heavy artillery targeted the Jalahiya and Jabaleh neighborhoods in Khiam (Marjayoun).
• Artillery fire hit Yater, Kafra, Srobbine and Beit Lif (Bint Jbeil).
• An airstrike targeted a house in Mansouri (Sour).
• After 2 a.m., an airstrike hit Nabatieh, but the missile did not explode.
• At 3 a.m., a drone strike targeted the port of Sour, hitting fishing boats.
• One person was killed and six wounded in an airstrike on Qatrani (Jezzine).
• A drone strike on a motorcycle north of Tyre killed two people.
• After 4:30 a.m., warplanes struck Tebnine and Haris (Bint Jbeil).
• Around 6 a.m., three strikes targeted Ansar (Nabatieh), with no reported casualties.

Hezbollah targets Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and near border

Hezbollah said it carried out several attacks:

• At 12:20 a.m., it targeted Israeli troops and vehicles in Ainata in Bint Jbeil district with rockets.
• At 1:05 a.m., it struck troops and vehicles near Maroun al-Ras in Bint Jbeil district.
• At 1:45 a.m., it targeted a Merkava tank in Houla in Marjayoun district with a guided missile.

New Israeli strikes in the Bekaa

According to our correspondent:

• After midnight, two airstrikes hit central Sohmor in Western Bekaa.
• Several people were wounded in a strike on a house in Machghara in Western Bekaa.
• Loud explosions were heard across the Bekaa early Saturday.
• According to local media, the Israeli army warned civil defense officials to keep residents and journalists away from the Sohmor bridge ahead of a possible new strike.
• At least two bridges in the area were destroyed yesterday.

Race to locate downed U.S. pilot in Iran

Iran and the United States are racing to locate one of two crew members from a U.S. F-15E that crashed in Iran, AFP reported.

Iranian authorities said they shot down the aircraft, while U.S. media reported one aviator was rescued in a special forces operation in southwestern Iran. The fate of the second remains unknown.

New Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs

The Israeli army struck Beirut’s southern suburbs again at dawn Saturday, saying it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure after destroying a bridge over the Litani River near Sohmor in the Western Bekaa.

Local media reported a strike on an al-Amana gas station in Tahwitat al-Ghadir near Beirut’s airport. Another strike hit a building in Haret Hreik.

Three U.N. peacekeepers were wounded Friday in an explosion inside a U.N. facility near Odaisseh in southern Lebanon. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said the soldiers, two seriously wounded, are Indonesian nationals.

Early today, the Israeli army said it had “begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut,” while residents and journalists reported at least two strikes in the southern suburbs, with loud explosions and plumes of smoke.

Welcome to our live coverage

Welcome to our live coverage of the war in the Middle East, with a focus on the escalation on the Lebanese front, where fighting between Hezbollah and the Israeli army continues in southern Lebanon, alongside new strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa.

We will also report on developments across the region, including in Iran, where at least two U.S. fighter jets have been downed as Israel and the United States continue military strikes more than a month after the war began.