An incident involving an Israeli drone this evening reportedly resulted killed a child
Iranian state media reported an incident involving an "Israeli drone" this Wednesday evening, despite the cease-fire agreed yesterday between the United States and Iran, Reuters reports.
A child was killed when the drone was shot down by air defenses in Khuzestan province, in the southwest of the country, near the border with Iraq, according to these Iranian media outlets.
Suspicious anonymous calls received by Bekaa residents
Two people in the Bekaa Valley received suspicious calls from foreign numbers asking them to evacuate their homes in the towns of Talabaya and Siriayn al-Fawqa, reports our correspondent in the Bekaa.
Evacuations were carried out in both areas as a precaution, while security services investigate the origin of these suspicious numbers.
Another death in south Lebanon
A person was killed by an Israeli drone strike while riding a moped on a road in the village of Qalawieh (Bint Jbeil district), according to our correspondent.
Also in southern Lebanon, the Israeli army continues its operations in the areas where its troops remain stationed. Artillery fire and search operations have been reported in the village of Khiam (Marjayoun district).
Macron wants cease-fire to be 'fully respected, including in Lebanon'
In a message published on X on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he had spoken with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian and U.S. President Donald Trump about the agreed cease-fire.
“I told both of them that their decision to accept a cease-fire was the best possible one,” he wrote, specifying his hope that the ceasefire would be “fully respected by each of the belligerents, in all areas of conflict, including Lebanon.” According to him, this is “a necessary condition for this cease-fire to be credible and lasting.”
The French president emphasized that this agreement must pave the way for “comprehensive negotiations to ensure the security of all in the Middle East” and address concerns related to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs as well as its regional policies.
“This is how a robust and lasting peace can be built, with the support of all those who can contribute,” he concluded, reiterating that France will act “in close cooperation with its partners in the Middle East.”
Macron specified that he had also discussed these issues with the leaders of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Iraq.
Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 182 people today
The death toll from today's Israeli attacks has been revised upwards by the Health Ministry, which now reports at least 182 killed and 890 wounded, according to a new provisional count. This brings the total number of victims of the Israeli offensive since March 2 to at least 1,739 dead and 5,873 wounded.
Lebanon must be included in cease-fire, EU must suspend its association agreement with Israel, says Pedro Sánchez
“Just today, Netanyahu launched his most severe attack against Lebanon since the start of the offensive,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared on X. “His contempt for life and international law is intolerable.”
According to him: “Lebanon must be included in the cease-fire, the international community must condemn this latest violation of international law, the European Union must suspend its association agreement with Israel, and there must be no impunity for these criminal acts.”
Nawaf Salam declares Thursday a national day of mourning following Israeli strikes
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced that tomorrow, Thursday, April 9, 2026, will be "a national day of mourning in tribute to the martyrs and wounded of the Israeli attacks that targeted hundreds of civilians," according to the prime minister's office.
He also announced the closure of government offices, public institutions, and municipalities that day, the lowering of flags to half-mast, and adjustments to radio and television programming to reflect this national tragedy.
Salam also offered his deepest condolences to the Lebanese people and the families of the martyrs, while wishing a speedy recovery to the wounded.
"He continues his contacts with Arab brothers and international leaders to put an end to the Israeli war machine," the prime minister's office concluded.
Vance: It is up to Iran to decide if it wants truce to fail because of Lebanon
ICRC 'outraged' by 'deaths, destruction' in Lebanon
Oman condemns Israeli strikes against Lebanon
The Omani Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed its “condemnation and profound indignation” at the Israeli strikes carried out this Wednesday on Lebanese territory.
In a statement published on X, it described these attacks as “war crimes” and denounced a “flagrant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.”
The Omani ministry also expressed its “deep concern” over the high number of casualties and called on the international community to “act to deter, stop, and hold Israel fully accountable.”
Turkey 'strongly condemns' the Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Cease-fire in Lebanon is one of 'essential conditions' of Iran's 10-point plan, according to the Iranian president
Israel carried out drone strike in Jnah, reports Lebanese channel MTV
Salam receives messages of solidarity from Egypt, Jordan, and France
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam received several calls Wednesday from foreign leaders reaffirming their support for Lebanon following the deadly Israeli strikes.
According to the prime minister's office, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdellaty expressed Egypt's solidarity and stated that his country is intensifying its efforts to end the war against Lebanon.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Hassan Jaafar offered his condolences to the victims and announced the imminent dispatch of additional aid to Lebanon.
French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France's support and indicated that he is pursuing diplomatic efforts to secure a cease-fire in the country.
New Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs
Israeli warplanes carried out another airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs a few minutes ago.
Israeli drones continue to fly low over the capital and its surrounding areas.
'South Litani is cut off from the rest of Lebanon,' says Israeli chief of staff.
The Israeli army chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, stated at a press conference that the entire South Litani region was now isolated from the rest of Lebanon, following the Israeli air force's bombing Wednesday evening of the last bridge connecting the Sour region to the north, on the coastal road.
“The area south of the Litani is cut off from Lebanon,” he said. “Ground maneuvers are currently continuing in southern Lebanon. Our forces have positioned themselves on the front line of defense, and control of this area allows us to prevent direct fire on the northern settlements,” he added.
Previously, six other bridges along the Litani River had already been bombed by Israel since the resumption of the war on March 2.
Scale of Israel's killings in Lebanon is 'appalling,' says UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
The scale of the killings during Wednesday's Israeli strikes in Lebanon is "appalling," said the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, calling on the international community to help end the "nightmare."
"The scale of the killings and destruction in Lebanon today is simply appalling," Volker Türk said in a statement.
"Such carnage, occurring just hours after the conclusion of a ceasefire with Iran, defies comprehension. It puts enormous pressure on a fragile peace, which is desperately needed for the civilian population."
Israeli strikes in Lebanon: Health Ministry does not corroborate Civil Defense death toll of over 200
Contacted by L’Orient-Le Jour, the Health Ministry did not corroborate the death toll published by the Civil Defense, which reported over 200 fatalities in today’s Israeli attacks against Lebanon. It is currently maintaining its provisional toll of 112 killed and over 800 wounded.
Hezbollah official, who was in relationship with resident of targeted building, was target of Israeli airstrike on Sunday in Ain Saadeh
A Hezbollah official was indeed the target of an Israeli airstrike on Sunday in an apartment in a Christian residential area northeast of Beirut, where he regularly went because he was in a relationship with a local woman, a judicial source told AFP on Wednesday.
This man escaped the airstrike on Ain Saadeh, which, however, killed a local Lebanese Forces (LF) official, Pierre Moawad, as well as his wife and a second woman.
The judicial source stated that the man targeted was "a Hezbollah official" who was "in a relationship with a woman residing in the targeted building and visited briefly there every day ... before leaving." The woman's testimony allowed the Hezbollah official to be identified, the source added.
Iranian parliament speaker denounces violation of US-Iran agreement
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf denounced Israel's violation of three clauses of Iran's 10-point proposal in its cease-fire agreement with the U.S., in a statement posted on X.
The three clauses violated were "the ceasefire in Lebanon — a commitment that [Pakistani] Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also explicitly referred to and declared as 'an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and other regions, effective immediately,'" he wrote.
Ghalibaf also cited the entry of an Israeli drone into Iranian airspace, "which was destroyed in the city of Lar in Fars Province."
The third was the "denial of Iran's right to enrichment, which was included in the sixth clause of the framework."
Ghalibaf said that now, as a result, a bilateral cease-fire or negotiations have become "unreasonable."
Israeli forces damage UN convoy vehicle in Lebanon: Rome
Israeli forces fired warning shots at a convoy of Italian U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon on Wednesday, prompting Rome to summon its ambassador to protest.
An Italian convoy from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had been carrying personnel from the town of Shamaa to Beirut when it was targeted by warning shots fired by the Israeli military, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in a statement.
Israel targets the last bridge connecting north and south of Litani River
An Israeli strike hit the Qasimieh bridge, north of Sour, reported our correspondent in south Lebanon.
This is the last bridge connecting the north and south of the Litani River in the Sour region, where thousands of families have remained despite Israeli evacuation warnings.
Earlier in the day, the Lebanese Army had announced the closure of the bridge after receiving an “Israeli threat to target it.”
Since the start of the war with Hezbollah on March 2, Israeli airstrikes destroyed six bridges over the Litani River.
Israeli strikes on south Lebanon continue
An Israeli drone strike on the Jamjim neighborhood in Kharayeb (Saida district) killed several people, our correspondent in the area reported.
Two other strikes targeted the village of Deir Zahrani (Nabatieh) as well as the outskirts of Baraasheet and Beit Hanoun (Bint Jbeil).
Hiram Hospital in Sour issued an appeal for blood donations to be able to treat the “large number of wounded.”
“We ask everyone who is able to do so to go immediately to the hospital to help save lives,” he said.
Israeli strike kills Al Manar journalist in Keyfoun
Hezbollah-affiliated Al Manar TV reported that one of its journalists, Suzanne Khalil, was killed today by an Israeli airstrike on Keyfoun, in the Aley district.
Trump, Netanyahu agreed 'fighting in Lebanon could continue'
A senior U.S. official told Axios reporter Barak Ravid that Netanyahu raised the issue of Lebanon in a phone call with Trump shortly before the announcement of the Iran cease-fire.
Trump and Netanyahu agreed during the call that the fighting in Lebanon could continue, a U.S. official and an Israeli official said.
The U.S. official said the White House is not currently concerned that the situation in Lebanon would cause the cease-fire with Iran to collapse.
Lebanon not part of Iran-U.S. cease-fire deal, Vance to head to Pakistan for talks: White House
Lebanon is not included in the terms of a two-week cease-fire arrangement between the U.S. and Iran, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump is dispatching his Iran negotiating team, led by Vice President JD Vance, to Pakistan for talks, she added, and that Trump will "continue to discuss" Lebanon with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
She noted that Netanyahu expressed his support for U.S. President Donald Trump's approach to Iran during a call on Tuesday night.
Cease-fire does not apply to Hezbollah: Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the U.S.-Iran cease-fire was reached in “full coordination” with Israel.
Speaking at his press conference, Netanyahu said Israel “was not notified at the last minute,” saying it played a role in shaping its terms.
He added that the cease-fire does not apply to Hezbollah and said that Israel will “continue to strike them.”
Netanyahu also said the truce with Iran “is not the end,” noting that Israel still has “more goals to achieve,” either through diplomatic means or by resuming fighting.
Israel remains prepared to “return to battle at any moment” against Iran if necessary.
Israeli strikes on Lebanon kill 254, injure 1,165: Civil Defense
The Civil Defense announced, based on information from its centers across the country, that today’s Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed over 254 people and injured 1,165 others.
- Beirut district: 92 killed and 742 injured
- Southern suburbs of Beirut: 61 killed and 200 injured
- Baalbeck district: 18 killed and 28 injured
- Hermel district: 9 killed and 6 injured
- Nabatieh district: 28 killed and 59 injured
- Aley district: 17 killed and 6 injured
- Saida district: 12 killed and 56 injured
- Sour district: 17 killed and 68 injured
The health ministry had said Israeli strikes today killed 112 and injured 837 in a preliminary toll.
The ministry did not respond to L'Orient Today's call for comments.
Explosions heard in Iran
Air defense systems were activated in several Iranian cities, including Isfahan and Kerman, and explosions were heard in Isfahan, according to the Mehr News Agency.
Israeli strike on Gaza kills Al Jazeera journalist
An Israeli strike that killed Al Jazeera journalist Mohammad Weshah, according to medics, in his car, in Gaza City on April 8, 2026. (Credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reurters)
Al Jazeera announced that one of its journalists was killed by an Israeli drone strike on his car in Gaza.
Lebanese Army announces evacuation of Qasmieh bridge in Sour
“In light of ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon, the army evacuated the Qasmieh maritime bridge in Sour after an Israeli threat on the site was reported,” the Lebanese Army stated on its X account.
Israel's Ben Gurion airport to resume full operations at midnight
Israel's transport ministry said on Wednesday that Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv, will resume full operations at midnight following the announcement of a U.S.-Iran cease-fire, according to Reuters.
Israel military says soldier killed in Lebanon fighting
The Israeli military said Wednesday that a soldier was killed in southern Lebanon the previous day, bringing the total number of its fatalities there to 12 since the start of its ground invasion, according to AFP.
The soldier was a staff sergeant with the Golani Brigade,
It said five more soldiers were also wounded in the same incident.
Egypt condemns Israeli strikes on Lebanon
Egypt’s foreign ministry described Israel’s attacks on Lebanon as a new attempt to drag the region into “total chaos.”
Israel’s attacks reflect a “premeditated intent” to undermine regional and international efforts to reduce escalation.
Israel FM says 'nothing is over yet' after US and Iran agree truce
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar cast doubt on the U.S.-Iran cease-fire, saying significant gaps remained between the two.
"Nothing is over yet," Saar said in an interview with state broadcaster Channel 11. "I don't see how it is possible to bridge the positions of the U.S. and Iran."
Israel FM says 'nothing is over yet' after US and Iran agree truce
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar cast doubt on the U.S.-Iran cease-fire, saying significant gaps remained between the two.
"Nothing is over yet," Saar said in an interview with state broadcaster Channel 11. "I don't see how it is possible to bridge the positions of the U.S. and Iran."
Abbas condemns Israeli attacks on Lebanon in phone call with Aoun
The presidency stated on its X account that President Joseph Aoun received a call from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who condemned the Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
Abbas expressed “the solidarity of the Palestinian people with the brotherly Lebanese people,” supporting the Lebanese authorities’ positions in favor of “extending the state’s authority and sovereignty over the entire territory.”
Hangar near Corniche al-Mazraa branch has no connection to the company: Rifai Roasteries
Rifai Roasteries clarified that the hangar struck earlier by the Israeli army in the same building as its Corniche al-Mazraa branch has "no connection to the company; it is neither owned nor operated by the company."
"The company extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured," it added in its statement.
Netanyahu press conference at 8:15 p.m. Beirut time
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to give a press conference at 8:15 p.m. Beirut time.
Israeli strikes on Lebanon kill 112, wound 837
Israeli strikes on Lebanon this afternoon killed over 112 people and injured 837 others, according to the Health Ministry's preliminary toll.
Aggression against Hezbollah is aggression against Iran: Iranian official
The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force stated that “Aggression against the proud Hezbollah is aggression against Iran. The battlefield is preparing a heavy response to the Israeli regime's savage crimes,” according to Mehr News Agency on X.
Iranian president says cease-fire in Lebanon 'essential condition'
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that a cease-fire in Lebanon is one of the “essential conditions” demanded by Tehran in its 10-point plan, which is intended to serve as the basis for negotiations with the U.S. for a regional cease-fire, according to Iranian state media.
'Our fight is against Hezbollah,' Adraee claims
In a post on X, the Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, addressed the Lebanese people in a video: “Today, in these difficult times, let us turn our gaze together toward the future… What kind of Lebanon do you want?” he asked.
“Our war today is not against you, nor against the Lebanon of the cedars, which we respect. Our fight is against the troops of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and their Hezbollah mercenaries," he continued. “Lebanon deserves life, and you deserve a future worthy of you.”
Iran tells mediators Islamabad meeting contingent on cease-fire in Lebanon: WSJ
Iran told regional mediators that its participation in talks with U.S. officials in Islamabad is contingent on a cease-fire in Lebanon, and warned that it might also reverse its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal reported.
According to the newspaper, Iranian mediators also warned that attacks against countries in the region, including Israel, would continue if Israeli strikes on Lebanon and Iran persist.
Israeli strike in Tallet al-Khayyat
A new Israeli airstrike hit Tallet al-Khayyat, in the capital Beirut, according to local media. An entire building was destroyed.
Tanker traffic in Hormuz suspended after Israeli strikes in Lebanon, according to Fars
Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been completely suspended after Israel violated the terms of the cease-fire by striking Lebanon, the Iranian news agency Fars reported.
The agency indicated that two tankers had safely transited the strait earlier in the day after receiving permission from Iran, following U.S. President Donald Trump's acceptance of Tehran's conditions and the announcement of a cease-fire.
According to Fars, halting attacks against the "resistance front," including in Lebanon, was among the conditions outlined by Iran in its ten-point plan.
The media outlet also cites an informed security and military source, claiming that following Israel’s “continued violations” of the temporary cease-fire concerning Lebanon and Hezbollah, Iran was finalizing plans to conduct a “deterrence operation” against Israeli military positions in the occupied territories.
Hamas condemns deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Hamas condemned, in a statement, the Israeli airstrikes that targeted Lebanon earlier today, which resulted in hundreds of casualties.
“We strongly condemn the terrorist attack and the brutal airstrikes carried out by the fascist occupation army on several areas of Beirut and throughout Lebanon,” the statement said.
The movement emphasized that these attacks are a “blatant expression of the aggressive nature of the occupation and its war criminal leaders, who are desperately seeking to re-establish deterrence by committing massacres and targeting civilians in their homes and neighborhoods.”
Hamas called on Arab and Islamic nations to unite and stand together to “confront the occupation by all means until its elimination and protect the region from the oppressive Zionist colonial project.”
Aoun holds Israel 'full responsibility' for escalation
President Joseph Aoun denounced the “barbaric attacks” carried out Wednesday in Lebanon by Israel, which “bears full responsibility for the escalation,” according to a statement from the Baabda Presidential Palace.
“This serious escalation fully engages Israel’s responsibility for its consequences, and we affirm that the continuation of these aggressive policies will only exacerbate tensions and instability, at a time when everyone needs de-escalation and respect for commitments more than ever,” the president declared.
He also condemned the “barbaric attacks” and “another massacre that adds to Israel’s grim record” in Lebanon. “These barbaric attacks, which disregard the law and respect no agreements or commitments, have repeatedly demonstrated the Israelis’ contempt for all international laws and norms.” “In the fifteen months since the ceasefire agreement was signed [on Nov. 27, 2024], we have witnessed the scale of the violations and offenses committed with complete impunity,” he added.
Aoun called on the international community to “assume its responsibilities to put an end to these repeated attacks” and to “end this aggressive approach that threatens the security and stability of the region.”
Israel calls on the Lebanese state: Act against Hezbollah or don't stand in the way
"The president and prime minister of Lebanon have no shame in attacking Israel for doing what they should have done: strike Hezbollah," the Israeli Foreign Ministry accused on X. "After thousands of attacks against Israel from their territory, they offer no apology — and instead come with demands."
"They have not disarmed Hezbollah. They have not stopped it, and still do not stop it, from firing on Israel. They lied when they claimed to have demilitarized the area up to the Litani River," the ministry added. "We must now do it for them."
The Israeli ministry also pointed out that "Hezbollah ministers still sit in the Lebanese government, and the Iranian ambassador remains in Beirut, openly defying their own decisions."
"It is time to act against Hezbollah." "Through actions, not words. And if you are incapable of doing so, at least don't stand in the way," the ministry concluded.
Fadlallah: Hezbollah fighters are still on the ground, fighting near border
Commenting on the heavy Israeli strikes that targeted Lebanon earlier, Hezbollah MK Hassan Fadlallah stated that this “continued aggression will not force the resistance to abandon its legitimate right to defend its country and preserve its territory,” adding that Hezbollah fighters are “still on the ground and are confronting the enemy near the border.”
However, Hezbollah has not yet claimed responsibility for any attacks against Israel today. “The Israeli government is trying to evade the ceasefire agreement regarding the Lebanese front in order to compensate for its major failure in its aggression against Iran,” he continued.
Fadlallah concluded by emphasizing that these “massacres come after the failure of the ground invasion aimed at controlling the South and the rapid return of residents from the region earlier in the day.”
Israeli strikes in Lebanon: Preliminary toll of 89 killed, 722 wounded
The Lebanese Health Minister told LBCI that today's Israeli strikes have resulted in a preliminary toll of 89 deaths, including 12 medical personnel, and 722 injuries in Lebanon.
South Lebanon: 30 tons of humanitarian aid delivered to Christian villages in the South
Some 30 tons of humanitarian aid were delivered Wednesday to several predominantly Christian villages in southern Lebanon, caught in the crossfire between Israel and the Israeli army, during a visit by Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai.
In Qlaya, where residents are refusing to heed Israeli army orders to evacuate, a truck delivered food to the 3,500 inhabitants, a delivery organized in part by L'Œuvre d'Orient.
"The roads are dangerous, and therefore people are deprived of resources. These are villages threatened with disappearance," said Vincent Gelot, director of this Catholic organization for Lebanon and Syria. "The residents are asking us for food, milk for the children, rice, flour, and water," he added.
Trump announces imminent direct talks with Iran, according to New York Post
U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that face-to-face talks with Iran will take place "very soon," the New York Post reported.
In an interview with the newspaper, he indicated that Vice President JD Vance might not participate in these talks "due to security concerns," he said.
Lebanon not included in cease-fire with Iran, White House confirms
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that Lebanon is not part of the cease-fire agreement reached with Iran, Axios reports.
Trump says Lebanon not included in cease-fire with Tehran 'because of Hezbollah'
U.S. President Donald Trump stated in an interview with PBS that the cease-fire agreement with Tehran “does not include Lebanon.” He said Lebanon was excluded because of “Hezbollah,” adding that “they were not included in the agreement.”
Asked whether he supported continued Israeli airstrikes, Trump replied: “That’s part of the agreement. Everyone knows that. It’s a separate skirmish.”
His remarks contradict statements made the previous day by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country mediated the cease-fire talks, and who asserted that the agreement covered “all fronts, including Lebanon.”
Israeli attacks continue in southern Lebanon
Israeli troops carried out major house demolitions in Naqoura (Sour) and Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil), reports our correspondent.
Furthermore, Israeli artillery fire also targeted the Wadi Slouqi area and the village of Braasheet (Bint Jbeil).
Death toll from Israeli bombings in Bekaa Valley rises: At least 30 killed, over 20 wounded
The death toll from the heavy Israeli airstrikes on the Bekaa Valley has now reached at least 30, with more than 20 wounded, according to a preliminary estimate from the Health Ministry.
Among the victims, six people were killed and 16 others wounded in Douris (Baalbeck district).
In Shmustar (Baalbeck), nine more people were killed and four wounded.
In the Taraya Plain (Baalbeck), four people were killed.
In the city of Hermel, in the northern Bekaa Valley, three members of the Civil Defense were killed in a strike on one of the local centers.
In Mansoura, five members of the same family were killed in a strike on a building.
Iran: Pakistani prime minister calls on all parties to exercise restraint, respect cease-fire
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif noted on Wednesday that violations of the cease-fire between the United States and Iran "have been reported" and urged all parties to the war to respect the truce.
"Cease-fire violations have been reported in some locations in the conflict zone, which undermines the spirit of the peace process," he said on X. "I earnestly and sincerely call on all parties to exercise restraint and respect the two-week cease-fire, as agreed, so that diplomacy can play a leading role in the peaceful resolution of the conflict."
(Credit; Tasnim Chaaban/L'Orient Today)
Rescue operations are continuing in Ain al-Mreisseh, where 12 apartments were destroyed. According to the Internal Security Forces, five people were killed in the strike.
Iran will withdraw from cease-fire agreement if attacks on Lebanon continue
Iran will withdraw from the cease-fire agreement if attacks on Lebanon continue, the Tasnim news agency reported, citing an anonymous Iranian source.
Oil tankers transiting Hormuz were stopped after Israeli cease-fire violation, according to Iranian state media
Oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz were stopped after "cease-fire violations by Israel," which Iran denounced, the Iranian Fars news agency reported, as relayed by Reuters.
Aoun denounces 'massacres' and reiterates Lebanon is ready for direct negotiations
President Joseph Aoun declared, during a meeting with Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, that Lebanon “welcomes any European and Belgian support to end the war waged against it.”
He denounced the “continued Israeli bombing” of Beirut, Mount Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, as well as the targeting of civilians and the “massacres” that have resulted in “hundreds of deaths and injuries,” emphasizing that Israel is continuing its aggression and “dangerous escalation,” despite international efforts to contain tensions in the region.
Aoun reaffirmed that Lebanon remained committed to the negotiation initiative he had announced, "which begins with the establishment of a truce during which direct negotiations would take place between Lebanon and Israel to end the military escalation," considering it "a real opportunity to restore stability in the region." He added, however, that Israel was continuing its attacks and refusing to respond.
The president also emphasized Lebanon's commitment to the state's "monopoly on arms" and the extension of state authority "over its entire territory."
For his part, Prévot expressed Belgium's support for Aoun's positions and the Lebanese government's decisions, which "strengthen Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity." He stressed the willingness of Belgium and the European Union to provide Lebanon with the necessary political and humanitarian support and announced a doubling of social, health, and development aid.
Two people killed by Israeli strikes on Sour
Two people were killed in another Israeli drone strike that hit a car on al-Hasba Street in Sour. Israeli warplanes also targeted the Qleileh-al-Haniyyeh plain (Sour district).
The two women killed in a strike targeting a house in Adloun (Saida district) have been identified as Nada Hayek and Alaa Hayek.
'There was smoke everywhere, people were screaming': Aya, who was in Manara building hit by Israeli airstrike
Aya* was in a building targeted by an Israeli airstrike. “Suddenly, the whole building started shaking. There was smoke everywhere, people were screaming that the third and fourth floors had been hit. I ran outside and saw debris falling from the building. There were lots of children in the building,” she told L’Orient Today, still in shock.
Aya lived in Bir Hassan, but after previous airstrikes, she had left her home on March 2 to move to Manara. “I ran to my car, which was parked across the street, and drove to my parents’ house in Ramlet al-Baida. My mother gave me a Xanax, and now I’m trying to sleep.”
Alia Ftouni is also displaced. Before the war, she lived in Ghobeiri, in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Because of the Israeli strikes, she and some of her family had to move to Mar Elias, a neighborhood in Beirut.
“We heard a loud airstrike that sounded very close. We thought [Israel] had targeted someone in the building next door, so we all grabbed our keys and ran down two floors. When we got outside, the whole street was filled with thick black smoke. There was debris everywhere, broken windows, and people screaming,” she explains. Alia and her family fled to Martyrs’ Square in the city center.
“We’ll stay here until we know what to do next,” she says.
*Name has been changed at her request.
Journalist killed in Israeli strike in Sour
Sawt al-Farah radio announced the death of its journalist Ghada Dayekh, killed by an Israeli airstrike that targeted the city of Sour.
Since October 2023, more than 10 Lebanese journalists and media professionals have been killed in Lebanon by Israel.
Prime minister's office announces reopening of Masnaa
The prime minister's office announced, in a statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency, that the Masnaa border crossing (Bekaa Valley), between Lebanon and Syria, will reopen at 6 p.m. today.
The border crossing has been closed since last Saturday following Israeli threats that were not carried out.
In its statement, the office emphasized "the preservation of the safety of travelers and goods," specifying that this crossing "is equipped with the necessary facilities to prevent smuggling."
Casualty figures in the South and Bekaa Valley after Israeli strikes
In the Bekaa Valley, 18 people were killed, 36 wounded, and an undetermined number are missing following the simultaneous Israeli strikes.
In the South, approximately 23 people have been killed so far in the simultaneous Israeli strikes, while search operations continue in the rubble of all the targeted sites.
In Saida, nine people were killed, including Sheikh Sadek Naboulsi and other worshippers who had come to pray at the mosque. Five displaced people who were praying are also missing.
In Adloun (Saida district), two women were killed and four people were wounded.
In Kfar Sir (Nabatieh district), two people were killed and five wounded, and in Arab Salim (Nabatieh district), three people were reportedly killed and 20 wounded.
In Jwayya (Sour), three people were killed and four injured.
Individuals opened fire on US embassy in Awkar
Unidentified individuals fired shots at the U.S. embassy in Awkar, a security source told L’Orient Today, adding that no injuries were reported.
Tehran considering strikes against Israel due to 'violation of cease-fire in Lebanon'
Iran is considering resuming attacks against Israel in response to what it considers "violations of the temporary cease-fire in Lebanon," the Iranian Fars news agency reported, citing an unidentified Iranian official, as relayed by Reuters.
Beirut overwhelmed by victims of Israel's strikes, Order of Physicians calls for help
The president of the Order of Physicians in Beirut, Elias Chalala, has called on doctors to go to hospitals to help the wounded, due to the large number of victims following the Israeli strikes, reports the state-run National News Agency.
Sirens sounded in northern Israel for the first time since the truce, according to Haaretz
According to Haaretz, warning sirens sounded in northern Israel for the first time in 21 hours. If confirmed, this would be the first alert since the truce announced between the United States and Iran. The newspaper specifies that the alert concerned the Kiryat Shmona region.
Iran-US cease-fire: Western leaders call for implementation in Lebanon
The leaders of France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, and the European Union called Wednesday for a “swift and lasting end” to the war in Iran.
“We welcome the two-week cease-fire agreed today between the United States and Iran,” they wrote in a joint statement, adding that “the objective must now be to negotiate, in the coming days, a swift and lasting end to the war.”
“This can only be achieved through diplomatic means,” they continued, urging “all parties to implement the cease-fire, including in Lebanon.”
Lebanese authorities call for clearing roads for ambulances
The Health Ministry has called on Beirut residents to "urgently" clear roads for ambulances after simultaneous and unannounced Israeli airstrikes, the most intense since the start of the war, targeted the heart of the capital.
"The traffic jams caused by the wave of unprecedented strikes in number and intensity" carried out by Israel "are hindering rescue operations," the Ministry said in a statement, adding that "it is necessary and extremely urgent to clear traffic for the ambulances" arriving at the affected areas.
Katz: Qassem's time will come soon
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has once again threatened Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, asserting that "his time will come soon." In a statement reported by Israeli media outlets, including Ynet News, Katz said of Qassem: "He has not understood what Nasrallah understood in the final moments of his life: that post-Oct. 7 Israel will not accept any threats or harm to its citizens, neither from Iran nor from Lebanon."
The Israeli minister also stated, regarding Wednesday's strikes, that "this is the biggest blow dealt to Hezbollah since Operation Pagers" and that "the Israeli army struck hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists in a surprise attack on their headquarters across Lebanon."
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Israeli army accuses Hezbollah of redeploying in Beirut
The Israeli army has accused Hezbollah of “redeploying to other areas of Beirut” from the city’s southern suburbs. In a post on X, Arabic-speaking spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the army “recently observed that Hezbollah has begun leaving its strongholds in southern Beirut to move toward the northern part of the capital and mixed neighborhoods.”
Adraee added: “The destruction Hezbollah brought to Dahieh [the southern suburbs] will move with them. The organization, which has dragged you and your state into war on behalf of Iran, continues to spread destruction across Lebanon at your expense. Do not allow this to happen.”
He also warned Hezbollah fighters, stating that “there is no safe place for them.”
A damaged building at the site of an Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon, April 8, 2026. (Credit: Mohamed Azakir)
Nawaf Salam condemns Israeli strikes on 'densely populated neighborhoods'
In a post on his X account, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam sharply criticized Israel for causing hundreds of injuries in Lebanon and Beirut this afternoon during a massive wave of airstrikes.
“While we welcomed the cease-fire agreement between Iran and the United States and intensified our efforts to reach a cease-fire in Lebanon, Israel continues to expand its attacks, striking densely populated residential neighborhoods, causing civilian casualties across Lebanon, especially in the capital Beirut, with no regard for regional and international efforts to end the war and in complete disregard for international law and humanitarian law, which Israel has never respected,” Salam wrote.
He added, “All friends of Lebanon are called upon to help us put an end to these attacks by all means available.”
Any attack on Lebanon will complicate the situation, says Iranian ambassador in Geneva
Ali Bahreini, Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, stated that Israel must respect the cease-fire in Lebanon, and that any continued attacks would complicate the situation and have consequences, Reuters reports.
Naim Qassem 'among targets' of Israeli strikes, according to Israel’s Channel 12
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem was reportedly on the list of targets in the dozens of Israeli strikes carried out simultaneously across Lebanon, Israel’s Channel 12 reported. However, it is possible “that he was not at the targeted location, an emergency headquarters of the party.”
Channel 12 did not specify the location of this headquarters.
Sheikh Sadek Naboulsi, a Hezbollah-affiliated figure, among victims of a strike in Saida
Following the airstrike targeting the al-Zahraa complex in Saida, the initial count of casualties is 15, according to our correspondent. Among the victims is Sheikh Sadek Naboulsi, a political science professor and media figure affiliated with Hezbollah.
Sadek Naboulsi was the brother of the former Hezbollah press office chief, Mohammad Afif Naboulsi, who was killed during the 2024 war. His nephew, Mohammad Baqer Baha’ Naboulsi, was also killed about ten days ago in a strike in Jnah.
The strike on Saida caused significant damage to the Zahraa complex and surrounding buildings. The targeted site is located near public schools, vocational institutions, and universities, including the Lebanese University, which houses displaced people from the South. It is also close to LIU University, the Labib Hospital, as well as shops and cafés.
Hundreds killed and injured across Lebanon, says health minister
Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine reported that Israeli strikes have killed and injured hundreds across Lebanon, according to the National News Agency.
Lebanese hospitals 'overwhelmed' by casualties from Israeli strikes
The Lebanese Health Ministry told Reuters that hospitals across the country are overwhelmed by the number of victims from Israeli strikes.
Strikes on Beirut: Health Ministry urges clearing roads for emergency services
The Health Ministry has called on citizens “to clear the way for emergency services” following strikes on the capital and Beirut’s southern suburbs. It also noted that “traffic congestion caused by the wave of strikes, unprecedented in both number and intensity, is hindering rescue operations.”
Israel says it will keep striking Hezbollah 'without stopping'
Israel will continue striking Hezbollah “without stopping,” said Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, as he oversaw the operation in which the army carried out dozens of strikes in Lebanon, according to a military statement.
“We will continue targeting the terrorist organization Hezbollah and take every opportunity to do so,” he said. “We will not compromise the security of residents in northern Israel. We will continue to attack without stopping.”
Strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut as seen from Jnah. (Credit: Photo sent by local resident to L'Orient Today)
Sheikh Sadeq al-Nabulsi among others killed in Saida strike
Following the airstrike on the al-Zahraa complex in Saida, 15 people have been reported injured or killed so far. Among the people killed is Sheikh Sadeq al-Nabulsi, who is affiliated with Hezbollah.
Nabulsi is the brother of Hezbollah's media officer, Mohammad Afif Nabulsi, who was killed in the 2024 war. His nephew, Mohammad Baqer Baha’ Naboulsi, was also killed in a strike in Jnah recently. There is extensive damage to the complex and the surrounding buildings.
The complex targeted is located near public and vocational schools and universities, including the Lebanese University, where there are displaced people from the south. It also located near LIU University and is close to Labib Abu Dhour Hospital, as well as shops and cafes.
Numerous casualties reported in the Bekaa and South Lebanon
The strike on Adloun left three people killed and five injured, while the strike Majadel killed four persons. The strike in Ansar (Saida district) also targeted a center of the Islamic Health Committee.
In the Bekaa, he Israeli airstrike that targeted a center of the Hezbollah-linked Islamic Health Committee in Hermel left three people killed. Another strike in Hermel killed six people. The strike on Shemstar took place during a funeral, and left a large number of casualties.
Several neighborhoods struck by Israeli army in Beirut
According to local media, Salim Slem, Borj Abi Haidar, Corniche al-Mazraa, and Bashoura have been struck by the Israeli army without prior warning. Kaifoun and Bshamoun, east of Beirut, have also been struck according to local media. Several neighborhoods in the southern suburbs of Beirut have also been struck.
The Israeli army, via its Arabic-speaking spokesperson Avichay Adraee on X, had called on residents, earlier this morning, to evacuate seven southern Beirut suburbs: Haret Hreik, Ghobeiri, Laylaki, Hadath, Burj al-Barajneh, Tahwitat al-Ghadir, and Chiyah
Red Cross reports many casualties after Israeli strikes, hospital call for blood donations
Georges Kettaneh, head of the Lebanese Red Cross, told LBCI that “the wounded and casualties are numerous” and added, “we are doing everything we can to save them.”
Several Beirut hospitals have launched urgent blood donation appeals to help treat the victims.
Sounds of ambulances can be heard across Beirut
The sounds of ambulances can be heard across Beirut as they rush to the sites of the strikes, local residents around Beirut told L’Orient Today.
Dozens of Israeli airstrikes hit south Lebanon and Bekaa
The Israeli army carried out multiple simultaneous strikes across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, alongside attacks on Beirut.
Cities including Sour, Saida, Nabatieh, and numerous villages: Adloun, Bazourieh, al-Abbassieh, Zefta, Sir al-Gharbieh, Ansar, Ain Baal, and others were hit.
In Saida, a strike targeted the al-Zahraa complex, wounding Al Manar correspondent Amin Shumer, while Tayr Debba saw a strike on the Imad Mughnieh complex.
In the Bekaa, airstrikes struck Baalbek and villages including Hermel, Shemstar, al-Karak, al-Ferzel, Boudai, and Sohmor, leaving several wounded in Hermel. Earlier, two people were killed when a truck was hit between Hasbaya and Maymas, and a drone strike targeted a car in Blat (Marjayoun).
In Mansouri, 13 residents, including the village mukhtar, lost contact after returning following the cease-fire announcement; the town came under repeated shelling. The Amal Movement confirmed six killed from the earlier strike on Srifa.
Israeli army says it carried out '100 strikes in 10 minutes' across Lebanon
The Israeli army said it launched its “largest wave of strikes” on Lebanon since the start of its offensive, claiming it hit “100 sites and military infrastructure in 10 minutes” across multiple regions simultaneously.
The raids targeted Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, including what the army described as Hezbollah “intelligence centers,” infrastructure linked to its firing systems and naval capabilities, as well as sites belonging to the elite Radwan force and Unit 127.
The operation was “planned for several weeks,” the army’s Arabic-speaking spokesperson said on X, adding that most of the targeted sites were located “within civilian areas.”
Wave of Israeli strikes hits Lebanon, central Beirut neighborhoods targeted
According to initial reports, the bombardments targeted several neighborhoods Beirut, as well as Aramoun south of the capital, Hermel, Saida, and multiple areas across southern Lebanon.
Salam says Lebanese authorities are intensifying diplomatic efforts to achieve cease-fire in Lebanon
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that Lebanese authorities are intensifying their political and diplomatic contacts and efforts to achieve a cease-fire in Lebanon, following the regional cease-fire.
"With the announcement of the agreement between the United States and Iran, thanks to Pakistani efforts, we are working to intensify our political and diplomatic contacts and efforts to achieve a cease-fire in Lebanon", Salam said in a statement relayed by the Grand Serail.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that "no one negotiates on behalf of Lebanon except the Lebanese state ... through its constitutional institutions, in a way that preserves its sovereignty and the interests of its people."
Nine killed in Srifa (Sour) after returning home following cease-fire announcement
Nine people were killed in an airstrike on a house in Srifa (Sour district), according to the village’s mukhtar, Ali Moussa, who told L’Orient-Le Jour that four others were wounded.
Most of the victims belonged to the same family, including women and children. They had just returned to the village overnight after the announcement of a regional cease-fire, along with other residents who had come to visit them.
Earlier, one person was killed in an Israeli drone strike targeting a scooter on the Qasmieh road (Sour), while a second strike nearby killed a Syrian delivery worker.
Additional airstrikes targeted the Qlayleh plain (Sour), while Khiam (Marjayoun) came under artillery fire.
Berlin urges Israel to limit Lebanon offensive to 'self-defense'
Berlin called on Israel to restrict its military operations in Lebanon to “necessary self-defense.” A German Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the German foreign minister, in a phone call with his Israeli counterpart, stressed that Israel should only act against Hezbollah and not go beyond that.
Iran strikes Kuwait and UAE after attacks on its oil facilities
Iran claimed attacks on Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, carried out, according to Iranian state television, in retaliation for strikes on its oil installations.
Hamas hails US-Iran truce as key step against American dominance
Hamas described the cease-fire between Washington and Tehran as a “significant step” toward reducing “American hegemony” in the Middle East, AFP reports.
“The cease-fire, based on an Iranian proposal and accepted by Trump, is without doubt an important step toward weakening American dominance in the region,” Hamas said in a statement.
The movement, allied with Tehran and in power in Gaza, added: “The will of free peoples, ready to pay the price for freedom and independence, has triumphed.”
Hezbollah urges supporters to stay away from southern Lebanon, Bekaa, and south Beirut suburbs
Hezbollah has officially called on its base not to return to southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, or the southern suburbs of Beirut, which remain “targeted,” until an official cease-fire is announced in Lebanon.
“We stand today at the gates of a historic victory, which will be achieved thanks to the sacrifices of the fighters, the blood of the martyrs, and your unmatched firmness and patience,” the party said in a statement.
The statement continued: “We call, at this decisive moment, for even greater patience,” urging residents of “targeted villages and areas in the South, Bekaa, and southern Beirut suburbs not to return before the official and final announcement of a cease-fire in Lebanon.”
UAE reports new Iranian attacks
The United Arab Emirates reported new Iranian attacks just hours after the U.S.-Iran cease-fire was announced. “Air defenses are currently facing missile and drone attacks from Iran,” the defense ministry said in a statement on X.
JD Vance says Iran cease-fire 'fragile', Trump 'impatient to make progress'
U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday welcomed a "fragile truce" with Iran, urging Tehran to negotiate in "good faith" to reach a long-team deal and warning US President Donald Trump was "not one to mess around".
He spoke shortly after Washington and Tehran agreed a two-week truce to the war, announced before Trump's deadline to agree a deal or face obliteration.
Tehran has warned the war is not over until formal terms are negotiated.
"If the Iranians are willing in good faith to work with us, I think we can make an agreement," Vance said during a visit to Budapest.
He added if the Iranians don't come to the negotiating table, "they're going to find out that the President of the United States is not one to mess around. He's impatient. He's impatient to make progress."
Vance said Trump had shown "that we still have clear military, diplomatic, and maybe most importantly we have extraordinary economic leverage".
"If they're going to lie, if they're going to cheat, if they're trying to prevent even the fragile truce that we've set up from taking place, then they're not going to be happy," he added.
Vance started his Budapest visit on Tuesday to support Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is facing an unprecedented challenge to his 16-year rule in Sunday's parliamentary elections.
Hezbollah warns Israel over cease-fire
Hezbollah MP Ibrahim Moussawi told local channel al-Jadeed that the U.S.-Iran cease-fire “includes Lebanon according to the official text” and that “Iran insisted on this point.”
He warned that if Israel does not respect the cease-fire, “then no one will, and there will be a reaction from the region and Iran.” Moussaoui added that Lebanon “should be grateful to the Islamic Republic of Iran, which stipulated that the agreement include Lebanon.”
Kremlin hails US-Iran cease-fire
The Kremlin praised the cease-fire as a “very important” step for de-escalation in the Middle East, expressing hope for “direct contacts” soon between U.S. and Iranian negotiators.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the decision to halt further escalation and avoid strikes on civilian targets was “welcomed with satisfaction.”
Maronite patriarch Bechara Rai visits Marjayoun church amid tensions, calls peace an 'obligation'
(Credit: Matthieu Karam/L'Orient-Le Jour)
During his tour of southern Lebanon, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai visited the Notre-Dame du Salut (Saydet al-Khoulas) Church in Marjayoun, where he delivered a homily emphasizing that peace is not just an idea, but an “obligation,” in a solemn and quiet setting.
A priest at the church thanked him for his presence. During the service, a strike — likely near Kfar Kila, judging by a distant smoke column — occurred, but the mass concluded without incident.
Afterward, the patriarch mingled with worshippers and posed for photos inside the church, which was protected by a heavy security presence, including five armored vehicles from the Italian contingent of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, special army forces, Internal Security Forces, and Civil Defense volunteers.
Aoun welcomes US-Iran cease-fire, affirms continuation of Lebanese efforts to ensure regional peace includes Lebanon
President Joseph Aoun welcomed the U.S.–Iran cease-fire, affirming the continuation of the Lebanese state’s efforts to ensure that regional peace includes Lebanon in a stable and lasting manner, according to the Lebanese Presidency.
The President praised the efforts of all parties who contributed to reaching this agreement, especially Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey.
He also expressed hope that this announcement would be a "first step toward a final and comprehensive agreement addressing the various issues that fuel tensions in the region, in a way that preserves the sovereignty of each of its states."
"The President also affirmed the continuation of the Lebanese state’s efforts to ensure that regional peace includes Lebanon in a stable and lasting manner, in accordance with the principles unanimously agreed upon by the Lebanese: namely, full sovereignty of the state over all its territory, its liberation from any occupying presence, and the exclusive right to declare war and peace and to use legitimate force confined to its constitutional institutions alone", the statement adds.
"This constitutes the sole responsibility of the Lebanese state in any negotiations aimed at achieving the country’s general national interest," Aoun concluded.
Spain condemns Israel’s continued attacks in Lebanon
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares called it “unacceptable” that Israel continues fighting in Lebanon. “It is unacceptable that Israel’s war, the invasion of a sovereign country like Lebanon, continues,” Albares said on RNE radio.
Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the cease-fire in Iran “good news” on X. “Cease-fires are always good news,” he added, “but the Spanish government will not applaud those who set the world on fire while presenting themselves as legitimate actors.”
Egypt calls on Israel to stop attacks amid ‘critical’ situation
Egypt said the situation in Lebanon remains “critical” and called on Israel to halt its repeated assaults following the U.S.-Iran cease-fire.
“The situation in Lebanon remains critical. The announcement of a military pause must translate into an immediate stop by Israel to its repeated aggressions against Lebanon, to preserve its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, in line with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701,” Egypt’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
It also called for “ensuring the necessary conditions for the safe and dignified return of displaced people to their homes.”
Israeli army threatens building in the center of Sour
The Israeli army has threatened to bomb a building in central Sour, near the Rifa’i mosque and just a few meters from the seafront.
In a message on X, the army’s Arabic-speaking spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, announced an imminent strike on the building, which he said hosts “Hezbollah terrorist activities,” and reiterated his call for the city’s residents to move north of the Zahrani River.
Kurdistan hopes cease-fire will be respected 'in good faith'
The president of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, Nechirvan Barzani, welcomed the announcement of a two-week cease-fire between Washington and Tehran, expressing hope that it will be respected “in good faith.”
He described the agreement as “an important step toward de-escalation, civilian protection, and the resumption of constructive dialogue,” writing on X that he hopes “all parties will honor this commitment in good faith and work toward lasting peace” in the region.
Pope hails Iran cease-fire as a 'sign of vivid hope'
Pope Leo XIV welcomed the two-week cease-fire between Iran and the United States as a “sign of vivid hope,” stressing that “only by returning to the negotiating table can the war be ended.”
“After these past hours of great tension for the Middle East and the entire world, I welcome with satisfaction, and as a sign of vivid hope, the announcement of an immediate two-week truce,” the American pope said following his weekly general audience at St. Peter’s Square.
Berri condemns continued Israeli strikes on Lebanon to Pakistani ambassador
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri contacted Pakistan’s ambassador to Lebanon, Salman Athar, urging him to relay to Islamabad — mediator between Iran and the United States, which helped secure a two-week cease-fire — that Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced that the agreement reached overnight Tuesday – Wednesday called for an “immediate cease-fire everywhere, including Lebanon,” but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized in the morning that the deal “does not include” Lebanon.
During his call with Ambassador Athar, Berri asked that Pakistani authorities be informed that Tel Aviv “is not respecting the agreement” and continues its strikes on Lebanon, especially in the South, according to the state-run news agency NNA. He also praised Pakistan’s “efforts” in achieving a regional cease-fire.
Israeli strike on Srifa kills at least 10 people
An Israeli airstrike on the village of Srifa (Sour district) killed at least 10 people, according to medics. The mukhtar of the village said that rescue teams have not yet finished searching through the rubble.
It remains unclear if the strike targeted people who returned to their homes this morning following cease-fire in Iran or if they had never left the village in the first place.
Israeli drones have also targeted the villages of Shehabieh (Sour) and Blat (Marjayoun). The Blat strike targeted a car in the square of the village, resulting in the injury of the mukhtar, Fouad Ramadan, and several other individuals.
The number of people killed in the Israeli airstrike that targeted the city of Saida has risen to nine, after one of the wounded, Hussein Yassine, succumbed to his injuries.
In Western Bekaa, Israeli warplanes have carried out a strike on the village of Yohmor at 7 a.m.
Meanwhile, the Municipality of Sohmor called residents to "delay any return or movement until the situation becomes fully clear, and to avoid gatherings and locations that are targeted or close to danger zones."
UN maritime agency works on mechanism to 'ensure safe transit; through Hormuz
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the U.N. agency responsible for maritime safety, said it is working on a mechanism to guarantee “safe transit” through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been nearly paralyzed since the start of the Middle East war.
“I am already working with the relevant parties to set up an appropriate mechanism to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” the IMO Secretary-General said in a statement to AFP.
“The priority now is to secure an evacuation that guarantees navigational safety,” he added. This comes following the announcement of a two-week cease-fire between the United States and Iran.
Saudi Arabia hopes cease-fire leads to 'global, lasting de-escalation'
Saudi authorities expressed hope that the cease-fire will result in a “global and lasting de-escalation,” AFP reports.
Israel reiterates call for forced evacuation of 7 southern Beirut suburbs
The Israeli army, via its Arabic-speaking spokesperson Avichay Adraee on X, renewed its call for residents to evacuate seven southern Beirut suburbs: Haret Hreik, Ghobeiri, Laylaki, Hadath, Burj al-Barajneh, Tahwitat al-Ghadir, and Chiyah.
⚡Aoun meets Rajji and Haykal, discusses measures taken by army in Beirut and across Lebanese regions
President Joseph Aoun met this morning with the Lebanese Army commander Rudolph Haykal and the Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Rajji, according to the Lebanese Presidency.
As per the statements released by the Lebanese Presidency, Aoun discussed the general situation with Rajji in light of current local and regional developments.
The President also reviewed the security situation in the country in general, and in the south in particular, with Haykal.
The discussions with the army commander also covered the measures taken by the army in Beirut and across Lebanese regions to maintain security and stability, especially in shelters for displaced persons, as well as stricter enforcement of security measures.
Lebanese Army blocks road to the South
The Lebanese Army has blocked a road leading to southern Lebanon at Burj Qalawieh, between the Sour and Nabatieh districts, to prevent displaced residents from returning south, our regional correspondent reports.
Israeli strikes continue relentlessly in the region.
Israel: army observes cease-fire with Iran, remains on 'high alert'
The Israeli army confirmed it is observing the cease-fire with Iran after carrying out new strikes overnight against Iranian missile launchers, while remaining on “high defensive alert.”
“In line with political directives, the Israeli army has ceased operations against Iran and remains on high defensive alert, ready to respond to any violations,” a military statement said.
“On Wednesday night, the Israeli armed forces conducted a broad wave of strikes targeting missile sites and launchers of the Iranian regime to significantly reduce and neutralize its launch capabilities.”
Israeli army stresses ceasefire 'does not include Lebanon,' calls for evacuation south of Litani
The Israeli army reiterated that “fighting in Lebanon continues,” with the cease-fire not applying to the Lebanese front.
Arabic speaker army spokesperson Avichay Adraee repeated calls for residents south of the Zahrani River to evacuate, saying the army “continues operations against Hezbollah activities.” “Remaining south of the river may put your life in danger,” he said on X.
UAE: 3 injured, operations suspended after attack on gas complex
Operations at the Habshan gas complex in the UAE were suspended following a nighttime attack that injured three people, authorities said.
“The incident at the Habshan gas complex was caused by falling debris after an interception, triggering multiple fires and causing minor injuries to two Emiratis and one Indian national,” Abu Dhabi media office said, adding that “operations have been suspended.”
Earlier, after Washington announced the ceasefire with Iran, authorities reported a fire at the site, already hit during the regional conflict, without specifying the cause.
China welcomes cease-fire; Turkey calls respect of agreement, Egypt hails diplomatic chance
China welcomed the two-week U.S.-Iran truce announced just before the expiration of a U.S. ultimatum, saying it would continue working to restore peace in the Middle East, spokesperson Mao Ning said.
Turkey called on “all parties” to respect the agreement, emphasizing the temporary ceasefire must be fully implemented on the ground.
Egypt praised Washington for “giving diplomacy a chance,” with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty calling the truce a “crucial opportunity” for serious U.S.-Iran negotiations and reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to support talks alongside Pakistan and Turkey.
⚡South Lebanon: Israel bombs threatened building in Shabriha, series of strikes on vehicles
The Israeli air force bombed the building in Shabriha, Sour district, that had been threatened twice in recent hours, according to our correspondent in south Lebanon.
A vehicle was struck by an Israeli army drone in Siddiqine, injuring people, and another was hit on the Qasmieh road near a Lebanese Army post. Bombardments were also carried out in Mansouri and Srifa.
Air raids repeatedly targeted Sharqieh (Nabatieh district), including the road linking the village to Nmeirieh, and a strike hit Kfour in the same area. In Bint Jbeil district, the Israeli air force struck Safed al-Battikh and Kherbet Selm.
Iraq to reopen airspace following US-Iran cease-fire
Iraq announced on Wednesday that it will reopen its airspace, which has been closed since the start of the Middle East war, shortly after Washington and Tehran announced a two-week cease-fire.
“The Civil Aviation Authority announces the reopening of Iraqi airspace to traffic … starting today, following the stabilization of the situation and a return to normal conditions,” the authority said in a statement, adding that “all civilian flights are authorized to resume … at the country’s airports.”
Macron calls for cease-fire to fully include Lebanon
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the U.S.-Iran ceasefire to “fully” include Lebanon, AFP reports, stressing the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring regional stability.
Two injured in drone strike on Bahrain
Authorities in Bahrain reported that two people were lightly injured in an Iranian drone strike on Wednesday, shortly after the U.S.-Iran cease-fire announcement. The interior ministry said debris from the intercepted drone damaged several homes in the Sitra area.
Lebanese Army urges caution in south as Hezbollah pauses attacks
Following the U.S.-Iran cease-fire, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said does not include Lebanon, the Lebanese Army has called on residents in southern villages to exercise restraint and avoid returning immediately to their homes.
Citizens are advised to stay clear of areas where Israeli forces have infiltrated, follow instructions from deployed military units, and remain vigilant for unexploded ordnance or suspicious objects left behind by Israeli strikes.
Pro-Iran factions in Iraq also suspend attacks
In Iraq, pro-Iranian factions announced a two-week suspension of attacks on “enemy bases,” signaling a wider, though temporary, regional pause following the U.S.-Iran agreement.
The situation remains tense, with Israel continuing strikes in southern Lebanon while regional militias and the Lebanese army maintain cautionary measures.
Hezbollah pauses attacks under US-Iran cease-fire, but Israel continues strikes
Hezbollah halted fire on northern Israel and on Israeli troops in Lebanon in the early hours of Wednesday as part of the U.S.-Iran cease-fire announced earlier, according to three Lebanese sources close to the group.
However, Israel has continued its strikes on southern Lebanon and issued a new evacuation order for a southern city, signaling that it plans further attacks, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the two-week Iran-U.S. cease-fire would not include Lebanon.
The Iran-backed group is expected to issue a statement outlining its formal position on the ceasefire and responding to Netanyahu’s assertion that Lebanon is excluded, the sources said.
This pause comes amid heightened tensions in the region, as Israel maintains offensive operations in southern Lebanon while Hezbollah’s response remains measured, following the cease-fire announcement.
IATA welcomes cease-fire but fuel and ticket prices to remain high
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called the two-week U.S.-Iran cease-fire “positive” for the aviation industry, but said jet fuel and ticket prices are unlikely to drop for several months.
“Even two weeks is positive, as we’ll see some return of oil flows,” IATA chief Willie Walsh told Bloomberg Television, highlighting the temporary relief for global air transport.
UK’s Starmer heads to Gulf to support Hormuz Strait reopening
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to the Gulf to hold talks with regional leaders aimed at ensuring the Strait of Hormuz reopens permanently after the U.S.-Iran cease-fire, Reuters reports.
“I welcome the cease-fire, which brings a moment of relief,” Starmer said, adding that the UK will work with partners to sustain the truce and secure a lasting agreement. The visit, planned before the cease-fire, follows multinational discussions led by the UK to coordinate diplomatic efforts and protect global oil and gas trade.
Hezbollah to announce formal stance on cease-fire
Sources tell Reuters that Hezbollah will soon release its official position on the two-week U.S.–Iran cease-fire and respond to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s assertion that Lebanon is not included.
Israel’s opposition leader, Yair Lapid, slammed Netanyahu over the cease-fire, saying he has 'failed politically'
“Never in our history has there been such a political disaster. Israel wasn’t even at the table when decisions were made about the core of our national security,” Lapid wrote on X.
He added, “The military did everything that was asked, and the public showed remarkable resilience, but Netanyahu failed politically and strategically, falling short of every goal he set for himself. It will take years to repair the political and strategic damage caused by his arrogance, negligence, and lack of planning.”
Overnight in southern Lebanon – shepherd freed, rescue teams targeted
Israeli airstrikes hit two vehicles of the Islamic Health Committee affiliated with Hezbollah — one in Qlayleh (south of Sour), injuring four rescuers, and another in Qabrikha (Marjayoun), while artillery targeted a Lebanese Red Cross team evacuating bodies in Mansouri without casualties.
Additional strikes hit Debbine and Sour, including a house and a vehicle, wounding four, and an attack on a building in Abbassieh caused heavy damage to Hiram hospital. Artillery also struck Khiam, Qabrikha, Jmeijmeh, Shaqra, and Mansouri. Meanwhile, the Israeli army released a shepherd, M.S., abducted near his village of Ain Ebel (Bint Jbeil).
Israeli army threatens building in Shabriha for second time
The Israeli army called residents of a building in Shabriha (Abbassieh, Sour) to evacuate before striking “Hezbollah infrastructure,” the same building previously warned and then bombed overnight, according to Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee.
Maronite patriarch visits southern Lebanon
As promised, Patriarch Bechara Rai traveled to southern Lebanon to meet residents of three villages still inhabited despite ongoing ground fighting between Hezbollah and Israel.
The secured convoy left Bkirki after 7 a.m. and visited Kawkaba, Marjayoun, and Qlayleh. Stops at Rmeish and Ain Ebel were canceled for security reasons.
Several bishops, the apostolic nuncio Paolo Borgia, and representatives of Caritas and L’Oeuvre d’Orient joined the patriarch to show support and deliver aid.
Five killed in Israeli strikes since morning
Israeli strikes continued across southern Lebanon:
- Sour district: drone strikes hit a motorcycle (killing the rider) and another target in Samaaieh; rescuers from the Islamic Health Committee were clearing debris in Baflieh. Two more were killed in a drone strike on a car in Ras al-Ain, with another strike on Srifa.
- Bint Jbeil district: artillery and airstrikes on Majdel Selm.
- Nabatieh district: two bodies recovered from a bombed house in Kfar Tebnit, with another strike on Kfour.
- Hasbaya district: strike on Berghoz.
Explosions in Manama hours after ceasefire announced
Explosions were reported this morning in Bahrain’s capital, Manama, just hours after the U.S. announced a two-week cease-fire with Iran.
The interior ministry said a fire at a facility caused by “Iranian aggression” was extinguished, and no injuries were reported.
Cease-fire 'does not include' Lebanon, Amal urges displaced to stay put
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had said the cease-fire applies “immediately everywhere, including Lebanon and beyond,” but Israel clarified that the deal “does not include Lebanon.”
The Amal movement and affiliated rescue organizations urged displaced people not to return to southern Lebanon, citing safety concerns.
Oil prices fall below $100 a barrel
Markets reacted positively: WTI and Brent oil prices fell more than 15% below $100 per barrel, while Tokyo and Seoul stock exchanges surged at the opening (+4% and +6%, respectively).
Uranium enrichment and Strait of Hormuz still unclear
Iranian leaders confirmed they would reopen the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks “if attacks against Iran cease,” with limited daily ship passage monitored by the Iranian military.
Iran also seeks sanctions relief and insists on the right to enrich uranium, though this was not mentioned in the U.N. English version. Negotiations with the U.S. are set to begin in Islamabad, with the ceasefire period potentially extended by mutual agreement.
US and Iran each claim victory after last-minute cease-fire
Both Washington and Tehran declared victory after agreeing to the two-week cease-fire in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel supports the suspension of strikes against Iran but maintains that the cease-fire does not apply to Lebanon. Trump called it a “total and complete victory,” while Iran’s Supreme National Security Council called it a “historic and overwhelming defeat” for the enemy.
Talks between Iran and the U.S. are scheduled to begin Friday in Pakistan, with positions still far apart.
Ongoing Middle East war coverage
Coverage continues on the Hezbollah–Israel conflict, which has killed over 1,500 people since March 2, as well as the wider Middle East situation following the two-week U.S.–Iran cease-fire.
On the local front, catch up on everything you missed yesterday and what to keep an eye out for today by reading our 👉 Morning Brief.
For a wider regional brief overview on this morning latest updates click 👉 here.
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