Desperate and dangerous conditions in Gaza continue to hamper recovery efforts for the wartorn enclave's people, the UN health agency said on Friday, while demining experts warned that they’ve “barely scratched the surface” in assessing the level of contamination of unexploded ordnance.
The United States has announced that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire will be extended by three weeks following talks in Washington, offering a potential pause in hostilities. Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns persist across the region, including in Gaza and Iran. Stay with us for live updates.
Hezbollah MP calls ceasefire “meaningless” amidst ongoing Israeli bombing in Lebanon Lebanese politician Ali Fayyad, representing Hezbollah as a Member of Parliament, called the renewed ceasefire agreement “meaningless” as long as the Israel military persists in its “destructive annihilation of Lebanese border villages and towns,” according to reports from local news platforms Al Mayadeen and An-Nahar. Fayyad added that “every Israeli assault gives the resistance the right to respond,” stressing that any ceasefire that did not lead to complete Israeli withdrawal warranted the right to resistance.
Kuwaiti army says border sites attacked by two drones from Iraq Spokesman of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defence, Colonel Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi announced on X that two sites along Kuwait’s border region had been attacked by drones “originating from the Republic of Iraq. " The strikes resulted in material damage but no casualties, according to the statement. The Colonel added that authorities had started “taking the necessary measures to deal with the incident.
US mulls expelling Spain from Nato for failing to back war on Iran Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Fri, 04/24/2026 - 10:23 Leaked Pentagon email suggests range of measures including recognising Argentinian sovereignty over Falkland Islands US President Donald Trump at the White House on 23 April 2026 (Brendan Smialowski/AFP) Off The US has threatened to "punish" its Nato allies for their lack of support in the war on Iran , including ejecting Spain from the alliance. An internal Pentagon email seen by Reuters outlined a range of possible options for the US to inflict consequences on its allies. Among the other measures considered were recognising Argentina's claims over the Falkland Islands, which the South American country calls Las Malvinas, to punish the UK, and blocking "difficult" countries from important or prestigious positions within the alliance.
Israeli settlers cross into Syria and Lebanon calling for new settlements Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Fri, 04/24/2026 - 11:16 Dozens briefly enter southern Syria and Lebanon, urging expansion of Israeli borders Israeli settlers crossed into Syria calling for the establishment of settlements (X) Off Groups of Israeli settlers crossed into Syria and Lebanon this week, calling for the establishment of settlements in areas currently occupied by the military. According to Israel’s Walla news site , around 40 activists from the Halutzei HaBashan movement crossed the Syrian border on Wednesday and entered the village of Hader in the Quneitra governorate. Some of the group reportedly barricaded themselves inside a building, tying themselves to it and urging the public to pressure Israeli ministers not to remove them from Syrian territory.
Israeli forces raid town near Nablus in occupied West Bank Israeli forces stormed the town of Beit Furik, east of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, Wafa news agency reported. According to the report, Israeli forces stormed and raided the town on Friday as part of nearly daily raids in the area. Ever since the onset of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, the Israeli military has escalated its raids and incursions on West Bank villages, leading to mass displacement and destruction of homes and infrastructure.
New Delhi [India], April 24 (ANI): Former Diplomat Mahesh Sachdev on Friday said that the US and Israel miscalculated Iran's situation and thought the war would finish quickly. Sachdev, in a conversation with ANI, said that as the red lines are clear now, further miscalculations can be avoided. 'Human history is full of wars being caused and expanded due to miscalculations.
The cease-fire with Iran was extended this week, but negotiations were put on hold.
Victims were bound and blindfolded before being shot and dumped in a pit.
The US and Iran's rival blockades of the Strait of Hormuz have become a "test of wills", says Lyse Doucet.
IRGC Naval Command said both a Greek-owned vessel called the Epaminondas and the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca had been seized.
Israeli military destroys houses in Southern Lebanon The Israeli military has blown up houses in the town Khiam, in Southern Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera. Israeli attacks have persisted despite the announcement of a three-week extension of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon.
Israeli forces attack displacement center and shoot child in Beit Lahia, Gaza Israeli forces attacked a displacement centre with live ammunition in Beit Lahia, Gaza, on Friday morning, according to Wafa news agency. Wafa reported that the Israeli military shot and wounded a child during the attack, while injuring several others with gunfire and shelling. Israeli forces also shelled neighbourhoods near Gaza City and Khan Younis, based on Wafa’s report.
At the core of the diplomatic deadlock is a fundamental clash of objectives. Ukraine insists that any settlement must restore its territorial integrity and provide binding security guarantees to prevent future aggression. Russia, meanwhile, seeks recognition of territorial gains and a fundamental shift in Ukraine's geopolitical orientation.
Trump says Lebanon ceasefire extended as Israel continues strikes Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 04/24/2026 - 08:26 US president announced three-week extension after Washington talks, but Israeli bombardment and fighting persist The remains of a home under construction is destroyed by the Israeli army in the southern Lebanese village of Beit Lif, in the Bint Jbeil district on 22 April 2026 (AFP/Kawnat Haju) Off United States President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire in Lebanon , even as Israel continued bombing the country on Friday. Trump revealed the extension in a Truth Social post following a meeting at the White House with Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s ambassador, Nada Moawad. The talks came after a day of Israeli strikes in Lebanon that killed seven people, including a journalist.
Tel Aviv [Israel], April 24 (ANI): Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Israel is prepared to escalate military action against Iran, while awaiting approval from the United States to proceed with further operations, according to a report by the Jerusalem Post. During a security assessment on Thursday, Katz stated that the Israeli military is on standby for expanded operations.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s UN ambassador strongly condemned the US and the Zionist regime for deliberate attacks on the country’s civilian space and communications infrastructure during a 40-day war of aggression, calling them clear violations of international law and war crimes.
Message on Telegram account has sparked alarm among diaspora groups, with one calling for the embassy to be closed Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Tehran’s embassy in Canberra is promoting a recruitment drive for a paramilitary campaign to defend Iran from US forces, with the Australian federal police now looking into the matter. As the war approaches the two-month mark, the embassy’s website and Telegram channel this week posted a message that instructed people on how to register for a voluntary drive to fight for their country , known as the “Janfada” – or “sacrificing life” – program. Continue reading...
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Israel launched new attacks on southern Lebanon just hours after US President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Beirut. Some of the attacks included two strikes that targeted the town of Touline, while another hit Khirbet Selm. Artillery shelling was also reported on the outskirts of Touline.
