US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

In a long-awaited statement, the African Union has expressed its support for the five-point plan devised by Pakistan and China, a joint initiative aimed at shifting the conflict in the region towards a peaceful resolution through immediate ceasefire and the reopening of sea lanes. According to the statement, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, warmly welcomes the collaborative effort by the Governments of China and Pakistan to restore peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region.

Amid an energy crisis exacerbated by the Iran conflict, Islamabad’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has revealed that the city’s public transportation will be provided at no cost to commuters, effective this Saturday. Naqvi made the announcement on X, stating that the Ministry of Interior will cover the estimated Rs 350 million in expenses for this public assistance program.

According to Neil Atkinson, a seasoned energy expert and former high-ranking official at the International Energy Agency, the world is far from recovering from the devastating impact of the Hormuz crisis. Even a rapid reopening of the critical Strait of Hormuz would not immediately restore normal energy flows, he cautioned.

While the swift resumption of tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz could potentially alleviate some of the congestion, Atkinson pointed out that numerous tankers are currently stranded on either side of the waterway, awaiting clearance to proceed. Furthermore, the shutdown of key production facilities in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi would require several days or possibly longer to rectify.

Atkinson highlighted the severe disruption to Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, warning that even in the most optimistic scenario, recovery could take weeks. He underscored the far-reaching consequences of the crisis, emphasizing the pivotal role of oil in various industries. “Oil is an indispensable component across a wide range of sectors,” he noted.

Moreover, Atkinson sounded the alarm on the long-term risks to global food production, citing the critical shortage of fertilizers. He warned that the ripple effects of this shortage would have a profound impact on food yields, stressing that the scale of the problem cannot be overstated.

A warning has been issued by Israeli military authorities, instructing residents of the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon to vacate the area ahead of a planned operation targeting two key bridges. The Sohmor and Mashghara bridges are slated for destruction, with the aim of thwarting the movement of reinforcements and military supplies into the region.

According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, a significant escalation of Iranian aggression was thwarted on Friday when air defences successfully intercepted 18 ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles and 47 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iranian territory. This latest development brings the total count of intercepted projectiles to 475 ballistic missiles, 23 cruise missiles and 2,085 UAVs since Iranian attacks commenced.

According to a recent assessment by Israeli Army Radio, Hezbollah’s capacity to maintain its current rocket fire rate is projected to last between one and two months. This estimate is based on an Israeli military source who stated that the militant group is believed to possess a substantial arsenal of between 8,000 and 10,000 rockets.

A total of 12 individuals sustained injuries in Abu Dhabi when debris plummeted to the ground amidst an air defence operation to intercept incoming missiles. According to the government’s media wing, seven of the injured are Nepalese nationals, with one case being particularly severe. Additionally, five Indian nationals were also affected in the Ajban area of the capital.

Reports from the National News Agency confirm that a minimum of four individuals lost their lives and several others sustained injuries in a series of Israeli airstrikes that targeted various locations in southern and eastern Lebanon.

In the aftermath of widespread destruction, Gazans are employing innovative methods to rebuild their homes, utilizing locally sourced materials such as mud, human hair, and salvaged debris due to Israeli restrictions on the entry of construction supplies. As a result of the devastation, 92 percent of residential buildings lie in ruins, prompting families to construct makeshift shelters, often relying on tarpaulins as makeshift walls and repurposed hair from barbershops as a substitute for straw. According to the UN, the estimated cost of full reconstruction stands at $70 billion, yet none of the work has commenced. Al Jazeera correspondent Maram Humaid provides a firsthand account from Gaza City, highlighting the harsh realities of survival in a region where rebuilding remains an elusive goal.

A growing number of airstrikes by the US and Israel are targeting residential areas in Iran, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. A visual documentation of the aftermath can be seen below.