Israeli air strikes rain down on southern Lebanon Israeli attacks continue on several towns and villages located in southern Lebanon, causing damage to infrstructure and residential buildings. Warplanes reportedly launched assaults on Beit Yahoun and Jmaijmeh, the state-owned National News Agency (NNA) reported. Three separate air strikes also targeted several residential buildings and roads across Bint Jbeil.
Israel says 175 activists arrested onboard Gaza-bound flotilla Israel's foreign ministry said troops arrested around 175 activists onboard 20 ships bound for Gaza. "Approximately 175 activists from more than 20 boats... are now making their way peacefully to Israel," the ministry said in a statement posted on X.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Tensions remain high between Iran and the US, with Axios reporting that President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s peace proposal. He signalled the US will maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports until Tehran agrees to a nuclear deal Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said the US naval blockade of Iranian ports has not affected the country’s fuel supply or distribution. Overnight, the Israeli navy reportedly launched a "violent raid" against various boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla, leaving hundreds of participants stranded onboard "powerless, broken" vessels.
Gaza-bound flotilla says hundreds stranded at sea following Israeli interception The Global Sumud Flotilla indicated in a post on X that hundreds of participants are stranded onboard "powerless, broken" vessels as a result of the Israeli navy's interception. They warned that amid jammed communications with some boats, an approaching storm further threatens the lives of participants. "In a violent raid in international waters, Israeli naval forces have intercepted, boarded, and systematically disabled various boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla," the movement said.
Israeli navy seized 50 boats carrying 400 activists en route to Gaza: Report The Israeli navy intercepted 50 vessels bound for Gaza carrying 400 activists, with troops informing participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla that they were under arrest, the Israeli Channel 12 reported. According to the report, the operation to seize the fleet of boats took place hundreds of kilometers away from the Israeli coast.
Israel continues wave of attacks across southern Lebanon Lebanese Civil Defense teams have resumed their search at dawn on Thursday for those missing in Jouaiyya, southern Lebanon, after an Israeli air strike on Wednesday. Previously, five bodies were recovered following the attacks, the state-owned NNA news agency said. Other assaults by the army include the destruction of a water station in Batouliyeh, as well as an attack on the Al-Bayad tourist resort.
Israeli army kills Palestinian teen during raid in West Bank The Israeli army shot dead a Palestinian teenager on Wednesday during an incursion in Hebron, south of the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the victim as 16 year-old Ibrahim Abdel Fattah al-Khayyat.
Report: Centcom leader set to brief Trump on new Iran strategy on Thursday US President Donald Trump is expected to receive a briefing on new plans slated for potential military action in Iran on Thursday from Centcom leader Brad Cooper, according to a report by Axios. Centcom has prepared a plan for a "short and powerful" wave of strikes against Iran that will likely target infrastructure, the article reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter. The aim is that as a result, Iran will return to the negotiating table.
Israeli military chief says "there is no ceasefire" with Lebanon The Israeli army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said that "there is no ceasefire" with Lebanon, as the military continues to launch demolitions and attacks in the country. "In Lebanon, the mission assigned to us by the political echelon is to position ourselves along the line to prevent direct fire on the communities. We have achieved this; this is the line we are on.
Latest updates on aid vessels bound for Gaza Israeli forces are currently storming one of the boats bound for Gaza, as volunteers onboard the vessels alert of disrupted communication. The Israeli Army Radio quoted a military source as saying that a decision was made to carry out the operation to seize the flotilla away from the Gaza coast because of its size, which involved about 100 boats and 1,000 activists. "Communications with 11 vessels have been lost and israeli media claims that 7 boats have been intercepted," the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a post on X.
Israeli troops seize aid vessels bound for Gaza Israeli forces have begun seizing control of aid vessels bound for Gaza, far from its shores in Greek waters west of Crete, more than 1,000km from Israel Israeli forces have begun seizing control of aid vessels bound for Gaza, far from its shores in Greek waters west of Crete, more than 1,000km from Israel pic. twitter.
Israeli military intercepts Gaza-bound aid vessel off Greek coast Submitted by Tamara Turki on Wed, 04/29/2026 - 23:20 Activists say Israeli-identified speedboats approached, aiming lasers and semi-automatic weapons, and ordered them onto their knees Pro-Palestinian activists wave onboard a boat of a new humanitarian flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip making a symbolic leave from Barcelona's Port Vell on 12 April, 2026. (File/AFP) Off Organisers of a humanitarian aid mission bound for Gaza say one of their vessels has been approached by apparent Israeli speedboats near the coast of Greece. “Our boats were approached by military speedboats, self-identified as ‘Israel’, pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons ordering participants to the front of the boats and to get on their hands and knees,” the Global Sumud Flotilla aid mission said in a statement “Boat communications are being jammed and a SOS was issued.
Putin, Trump discuss Iran war, Ukraine ceasefire in call Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a phone call in which Putin put forward ideas to resolve the conflict over Iran’s nuclear programme. He also proposed a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine to coincide with the anniversary of the end of World War II next month, a Kremlin aide said.
Gaza-bound aid ship intercepted by Israeli forces Organisers of a humanitarian vessel heading to Gaza said Israeli military speedboats approached the ship as it attempted to break the blockade. “Our boats were approached by military speedboats… pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons,” the Global Sumud Flotilla said, adding communications were jammed and an SOS was issued. Israeli Army Radio, citing a source, said Israel had begun seizing control of aid ships bound for Gaza far from its shores.
US lawmaker presses Hegseth over deaths of soldiers in Iran drone attack Democratic Representative Pat Ryan criticised US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the deaths of six American soldiers in a drone attack in Kuwait. Ryan questioned whether the military had intelligence indicating the base was vulnerable, asking why troops were deployed there. Hegseth said steps had been taken to protect US forces and that those killed are remembered daily.
Hegseth says deadly Iran school strike still under investigation US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said a strike on an Iranian girls’ school early in the war, which killed about 170 people, mostly children, remains under investigation. Asked about the cost of the attack, he said: “I wouldn’t tie a cost to that. ” According to preliminary findings by the US, the strike may have resulted from outdated intelligence used by the US military.
Three women killed in Israeli strike on south Lebanon An Israeli air raid on the village of Tayr Debba in southern Lebanon has killed three women and wounded at least 11 others, the health ministry said. Since March 2, Israeli attacks have killed at least 2,534 people, injured 7,863 and displaced more than 1. 6 million, according to official figures.
US war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far, says Pentagon official The US war on Iran has cost $25 billion so far, a senior Pentagon official said on Wednesday, providing the first official estimate of war costs. Jules Hurst, who is performing the duties of the comptroller, told lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee that most of that money was for munitions.
US defense secretary defends budget in first hearing since Iran war US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced lawmakers for the first time since the war on Iran began, defending the administration’s proposed $1. 5 trillion defence budget. He said he “appreciates the opportunity” to testify in support of the request for the 2027 fiscal year.
Israeli officers say Lebanon mission focused on 'systematic destruction' of buildings Submitted by Mera Aladam on Wed, 04/29/2026 - 12:19 Troops tell Haaretz the only task is the destruction of everything in predominantly Shia villages An Israeli soldier walks near a military vehicle, on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon boundary, 26 April 2026 (Shir Torem/Reuters) Off The Israeli army's mission in southern Lebanon is now focused on the “systematic destruction” of buildings rather than combat, officers have told Haaretz . According to the report on Wednesday, the military is operating under a plan to demolish predominantly Shia villages in an effort they believe would prevent residents from returning. As part of the campaign, troops are assigned designated zones to demolish, with commanders required to record the number of structures destroyed each day.
