US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

The sounds of aerial bombardments, including jets and drones, have been a constant presence in southern Lebanon throughout the night and into the current day. In the past 12 hours, two separate strikes have resulted in the loss of 17 lives, one in the az-Zrariyeh neighbourhood of Sidon and another in al-Abbasieh, Tyre. The majority of those killed were women and children, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict.

Reports of strikes have been flooding in from across the southern front, with areas around Bint Jbeil, Marjayoun, and the western Bekaa Valley bearing the brunt of the violence. In response, Hezbollah has launched rockets into northern Israel, prompting alarm in local communities.

The overnight strike on the bridge connecting Tyre to the rest of the country has left it severely damaged, although local officials have managed to undertake partial repairs and restore some traffic flow. However, many bridges spanning the Litani River have been completely destroyed or severely damaged, severely hindering movement between the north and south. Even with the partial restoration of the Tyre bridge, travel in and out of the south remains extremely challenging for civilians.

If Israel continues to target critical infrastructure like bridges, life for those remaining in the region will become increasingly precarious. Medical teams operating in the field continue to be targeted, and there is currently no indication of a slowdown in the fighting.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has announced that the Iranian delegation will proceed to Islamabad for negotiations with the US, as reported by Iran’s Fars news agency. However, Khatibzadeh emphasized that any potential agreement hinges on the US taking immediate action to prevent Israeli aggression against Lebanon. He underscored the necessity of Lebanon’s inclusion in any regional peace initiative, cautioning that the hours immediately ahead will be pivotal.

Commemorations for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have become a recurring phenomenon in Iranian cities, with citizens converging on public spaces to honor his memory. It has been 40 days since his passing, and the ritual of public gatherings has become a familiar sight. A notable event took place in Enghelab Square yesterday, where a large crowd assembled and voiced their support for Iran, while also displaying solidarity with the people of Lebanon through various banners.

Just six weeks following a devastating US-Israeli military operation in Iran that claimed the life of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggered a global conflict resulting in thousands of fatalities across multiple nations, crippled the world’s most vital oil route, and sent energy costs skyrocketing, Islamabad is set to host a pivotal diplomatic meeting between top US and Iranian officials on Saturday.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in a telephonic conversation with his Lebanese counterpart, Nawaf Salam, amidst escalating tensions in the region.
According to a statement released following the call, the Pakistani prime minister’s office unequivocally denounced Israel’s relentless military operations.
The statement further revealed that Lebanon’s prime minister had requested Pakistan’s assistance in swiftly halting the attacks directed against Lebanon and its citizens.
The situation remains unclear regarding Lebanon’s inclusion in the recently brokered ceasefire between the US and Iran, with Washington asserting that it is exempt and Pakistan, which is facilitating the negotiations, maintaining that it is, in fact, part of the agreement.

Tensions in the region have escalated with the sound of jets and drones filling the sky. A series of explosions has been reported in the distance, and a damaged bridge has been swiftly repaired by the military and Lebanese civil defense units. The situation has taken a dramatic turn, with confirmation of intense fighting in Bint Jbeil, a town situated approximately 3-4km from the Blue Line.

Israeli troops have been attempting to gain entry into Bint Jbeil for several weeks, but their efforts have been met with fierce resistance from Hezbollah fighters. The Israeli military is now attempting to besiege the town, with fighting spilling into the eastern streets. Israel’s stated objective remains the establishment of a buffer zone along the border and the targeting of Hezbollah positions.

In response, Hezbollah has continued to launch strikes into Israeli territory, fuelling concerns among residents in southern Lebanon who had hoped for inclusion in the ceasefire negotiations.

Hezbollah has confirmed that intense confrontations took place between its combatants and Israeli Defense Forces in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, a locality that has borne the brunt of Israeli military operations. Situated just 5km from the Israeli border, Bint Jbeil has been a focal point of the conflict.

The Israeli military has recently issued fresh evacuation orders, cautioning that airstrikes are imminent for the southern suburbs of Beirut, thereby expanding the scope of its military operations. The Jnah neighbourhood, situated south of a previously evacuated area, is now included in the potential strike zone. This densely populated region, home to thousands of residents, shares a border with Beirut’s international airport and has already seen a significant influx of displaced individuals fleeing earlier strikes. The latest evacuation orders will inevitably force these residents to relocate once more, seeking refuge from the devastation that has been witnessed in central Beirut, where a recent bombing campaign left a trail of destruction.

Lebanon’s healthcare system is facing a critical shortage of vital trauma medical resources, with the World Health Organization warning that hospitals may exhaust their supplies within a matter of days. This alarming situation has been triggered by the recent influx of mass casualties resulting from large-scale Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours. According to Dr Abdinasir Abubakar, the WHO’s representative in Lebanon, the country’s hospitals are already experiencing a severe shortage of trauma management supplies, which could soon reach a critical point. The life-saving trauma kits, comprising essential items such as bandages, antibiotics, and anaesthetics, are crucial for treating patients with war-related injuries, and their depletion poses a significant threat to the country’s healthcare system.

In a stark assessment, the International Monetary Fund has cautioned that the Iran war will inflict lasting damage on the global economy, with far-reaching consequences that could endure even if a ceasefire is negotiated. According to Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF’s managing director, even the most optimistic outcome would still result in a decline in global growth, leaving no room for a seamless return to pre-conflict conditions.