Israeli forces burn homes in south Lebanon town Israeli forces have set fire to homes in the southern Lebanese town of Qantara, according to National News Agency. A correspondent in Marjeyoun district reported the incident, as tensions continue in the south despite a fragile ceasefire reached on Friday.
Hamas rebuffs ‘trap’ disarmament plan as Israeli violations stall ceasefire process Hamas has rebuffed a proposal by the US-backed “Board of Peace” to disarm the group, citing ongoing Israeli violations of the first phase of the ceasefire. Palestinian sources with direct knowledge of the talks told Middle East Eye that Hamas views the plan, presented earlier this month, as a “trap” designed to ignite civil war in the Gaza Strip and destabilise Palestinian society. The group fears the proposal would leave Palestinians in Gaza defenceless while allowing Israeli-backed armed gangs to operate freely and spread disorder.
Israeli strike kills man in central Gaza as genocide death toll reaches 72,551 An Israeli drone strike has killed a Palestinian man and wounded several others in central Gaza, as the overall death toll from Israel’s genocide continues to rise. Wafa reported that the attack targeted a motorcycle on Salah al-Din Street, northeast of Nuseirat camp. Medics at Al-Awda Hospital confirmed the death of Ayman Khaled Abu Hasna, 38, and reported that several injured passersby were taken for treatment.
Hamas rebuffs ‘trap’ disarmament plan as Israeli violations stall ceasefire process Submitted by MEE correspondent on Sun, 04/19/2026 - 16:46 Sources say Hamas rejects US-backed proposal, citing failure to implement first phase of ceasefire and concerns over Gaza security Family members mourn outside the Nasser Hospital, the day after a Palestinian was killed in an Israeli strike in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip on 10 April 2026 (AFP/Bashar Taleb) Off Hamas has rebuffed a proposal by the US-backed “Board of Peace” to disarm the group, citing ongoing Israeli violations of the first phase of the ceasefire. Palestinian sources with direct knowledge of the talks told Middle East Eye that Hamas views the plan, presented earlier this month, as a “trap” designed to ignite civil war in the Gaza Strip and destabilise Palestinian society. The group fears the proposal would leave Palestinians in Gaza defenceless while allowing Israeli-backed armed gangs to operate freely and spread disorder.
Israel unveils new military occupation line inside southern Lebanon Israel has published a map outlining a new military deployment line inside southern Lebanon, days after a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect, indicating it will maintain an occupation beyond the border. The Israeli military said the line extends between 5 and 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory, placing dozens of villages under its occupation as part of what it describes as a buffer zone. The move follows a US-backed truce agreed between Israel and Lebanon, though Israeli forces remain deployed deep inside the south.
Turkey's Fidan says Iran and US 'has will' to continue talks to end the war Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Sunday that both Iran and the United States had the will to continue talks to end the war. Speaking to reporters at a diplomacy forum in the southern province of Antalya, Fidan said that while the talks between Washington and Iran were largely complete, there were still a number of disagreements. Fidan also said a ceasefire which is due to expire next week should be extended.
Iran turns back two tankers attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz Iran’s armed forces turned back two tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday after issuing warnings, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, saying this came as a result of the continuing U. S. maritime blockade on Iran.
Iran says it is replenishing missile launchers faster than before the war Iran is updating and replenishing its missiles and drone launchers at a higher rate than it did before the war with the US and Israel, an Iranian Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Force commander claimed on Sunday. Speaking to Iran's Nournews, Majid Mousavi shared a statement and an edited video of him inspecting an unspecified underground missile facility. “Unlike Iran, the enemy has not been able to rebuild its ammunition during the ceasefire,” said Mousavi “During the ceasefire, our speed in updating and replenishing missile and drone launch pads is even faster than before the war.
Guterres condemns killing of French peacekeeper in Lebanon UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the killing of a French peacekeeper and wounding of three others in an attack on Southern Lebanon. UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told the Associated Press the UN peacekeeping force came under attack with small-arms fire on Saturday morning, with two of the injured hurt seriously. Both Emmanuel Macron, president of France, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon or UNIFIL blamed Hezbollah, but the militant group denied involvement.
War on Iran: Why Israel and the US are the ultimate losers Submitted by Hisham Bustani on Fri, 04/10/2026 - 19:36 A campaign aimed at weakening or destabilising the government in Tehran seems to have had the opposite effect A man burns a picture of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an antiwar protest in the Philippines, on 9 April 2026 (Jam Sta Rosa/AFP) On Taking into account the continuously changing objectives of the US - Israeli war on Iran - which range from inciting internal turmoil and regime change, to dismantling Iran’s civilian nuclear programme, eliminating its missile capacity and unconditionally opening the Strait of Hormuz - it is clear that none have been achieved. Rather, the campaign largely failed. Iran, despite suffering heavy civilian casualties and the assassination of first- and second-tier leadership, was able to maintain and even reinforce its governing authority.
‘I am going crazy’: Families of missing Gaza children endure agonising uncertainty Submitted by Maha Hussaini on Sat, 04/18/2026 - 15:07 As 2,900 Palestinian children remain missing after Israeli attacks, a mother describes the anguish of not knowing the fate of her ‘vanished’ son Naima al-Sayed says she feels she's going crazy after 10 months without answers on the whereabouts of her missing 14-year-old boy, Anas al-Sayed (MEE/Mohammed al-Sammari) Off To help his family prepare dinner, 14-year-old Anas al-Sayed went out one evening in northern Gaza to collect firewood. After reaching an area close to where Israeli forces were stationed, the Palestinian boy disappeared. Around 10 months later, his family still does not know his whereabouts.
Lebanon reopens key routes as repairs continue in south The Lebanese Armed Forces said specialised units have fully reopened the Khardali-Nabatieh road and partially reopened the Burj Rahal-Tyre bridge in southern Lebanon. In a statement, the army said efforts are ongoing to restore key transport links damaged in recent weeks. “Work is also underway to rehabilitate the Tayr Falsay-Tyre bridge in cooperation with the National Authority for the Litani River, following the damage caused by the Israeli aggression,” the army said.
WSJ: Aides kept Trump out of Iran war room fearing 'impatience wouldn’t help' Aides kept US President Donald Trump out of the room during minute-by-minute updates on operations involving Iran, instead briefing him at key moments because they believed his impatience would not be helpful, a senior administration official told The Wall Street Journal. After being informed that an American jet had been shot down with two airmen missing, Trump “screamed at aides for hours” and repeatedly said, “The Europeans aren’t helping,” according to the report. It said he also referred to the Iran hostage crisis, warning, “If you look at what happened with Jimmy Carter… it cost them the election.
IRGC says Hormuz 'fully closed' until US lifts blockade on Iranian ports The navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it has extended the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, including a corridor previously designated for safe vessel passage, and declared the waterway fully closed until the United States lifts its blockade on Iranian ports and ships. The statement, carried by Iranian state media, reverses earlier guidance allowing vessels to transit the strait in coordination with Iranian authorities and on payment of fees. The IRGC Navy warned that any vessel violating the closure would be targeted and said Tehran considers the US blockade a breach of the ceasefire between the two countries.
Israel carries out demolitions in south Lebanon, preparing for 'detonation options' Israeli forces carried out demolitions in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, about five kilometres from the border, Lebanese state media reported. The state-run National News Agency said “the Israeli enemy is repeating its house detonating operations” in Bint Jbeil and reported similar demolitions in other border towns where Israeli troops are present. The Israeli military said its air force had eliminated a “terrorist cell” operating near its troops in southern Lebanon, without specifying how many were killed.
Houthi official says Bab al-Mandeb may be closed A senior official from Yemen’s Houthis warned that the group could close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait if US President Donald Trump continues what he described as obstructing peace. Hussein al-Ezzi, deputy foreign minister in Sanaa, wrote on X, “If Sanaa decides to close the Bab al-Mandeb, then all of mankind and jinn will be utterly powerless to open it. ” “And therefore, it is best for Trump — and the complicit world — to immediately end all practices and policies that obstruct peace, and to show the respect required for the rights of our people and nation,” he said.
Iran says fighting could restart 'any moment', Israel on high alert Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Tehran does not trust the United States and warned that fighting could resume “at any moment”, according to remarks aired on state television early Sunday. The comments come amid continued uncertainty over the ceasefire. Israeli radio, citing military and political sources, said the army in Israel has been placed on high alert in anticipation of a possible collapse of the truce with Iran.
UAE minister labels Hormuz closure ‘economic terrorism’ A United Arab Emirates minister called for the “complete and unconditional reopening” of the Strait of Hormuz and condemned its closure as “economic terrorism”. Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri told the Indian Express that any resolution to the war involving Iran must address Tehran’s “full range of threats”. “A ceasefire on its own is not enough,” he said, adding, “Any sustainable resolution to this war must address Iran’s full range of threats: its nuclear capabilities, its ballistic missiles and drones, its affiliated proxies, and the complete and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Kamala Harris says Trump put US troops at risk at Netanyahu’s urging Former vice president Kamala Harris said US President Donald Trump was “pulled into” a war “the American people do not want” at the urging of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking at a Democratic Party fundraiser in Detroit on Saturday, Harris said Trump had put US troops in harm’s way. Netanyahu has rejected the suggestion, telling a news conference last month, “Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?
Israeli settlers vandalise property, torch vehicle in West Bank village Israeli settlers vandalised property, sprayed graffiti and set a vehicle on fire in the Palestinian village of Turmus Ayya near Ramallah, according to reports by Haaretz and videos from the scene. Graffiti included slogans reading “Revenge” and “Greetings from Abu Falah,” along with a Star of David, and there were attempts to torch a house. Earlier on Saturday, settlers also tried to establish an outpost in Area B of the West Bank on the outskirts of Khirbet Abu Falah.
