US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Hezbollah parliamentarian Ali Fayyad has unequivocally rejected the notion of direct negotiations with Israel, asserting that the Lebanese government should first secure a ceasefire before engaging in any further diplomatic efforts. This stance comes in response to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s announcement that he has ordered his cabinet to initiate direct talks with Lebanon at the earliest opportunity. In addition to a ceasefire, Fayyad emphasized that the Lebanese government’s position should also prioritize the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and the safe return of displaced individuals to their ancestral homes.

In a televised address, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei emphasized that his nation will not relinquish its fundamental rights, despite a stated aversion to conflict, as conveyed through a statement broadcast on state television.

Speaking in Washington, DC, NATO leader Mark Rutte acknowledged that the US’s NATO allies had initially taken their time to respond to US requests on Iran, yet he emphasized that nearly all of them have since been fully cooperative in meeting the United States’ demands.

According to a report from Haaretz, a prominent Israeli news source, a Palestinian minor has succumbed to injuries sustained during an altercation with Israeli military personnel in the Jilzon camp, situated in the northern region of the occupied West Bank. Footage captured by Haaretz appears to show individuals rushing through an alleyway, carrying the lifeless body of the child. Prior to the child’s death, Palestinian news agency Wafa had reported that the minor had been left in a critical condition after being struck by Israeli gunfire.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi accused Netanyahu of deliberately blocking a ceasefire to avoid prosecution, and cautioned the US against allowing Israel’s diplomatic efforts to undermine ongoing peace negotiations.

Islamic Relief Lebanon’s Sana Basim has characterized Israel’s assault on Lebanon as the most calamitous moment the country has faced.
With hospitals at breaking point, medical staff are working under extreme duress, according to Basim, who spoke with Al Jazeera. The repercussions of the attack, she cautioned, transcend the physical devastation.
“It’s not merely the physical damage that’s a concern,” Basim emphasized, “but the profound psychological toll it’s taking on the population.”
Many individuals forced to flee their homes have found themselves in a precarious situation in Beirut, having only recently relocated there a month prior. They are now confronted with yet another traumatic experience.
Government-run shelters have been established, but they are severely overcrowded, accommodating only a meager 12 to 15 per cent of the displaced population. Those left without a safe haven are being forced to seek refuge in mosques or makeshift camps by the sea.

According to a high-ranking Lebanese government source, the country is now focusing on securing a ceasefire as a prerequisite for engaging in direct negotiations with Israel. The proposed talks, which would be closely monitored by the United States, are expected to be facilitated by Simon Karam, a seasoned diplomat who previously served as Lebanon’s ambassador. This development follows a statement from Israel’s foreign minister, who warned that the conflict would not be brought to an end anytime soon.

A grim milestone was reached in Lebanon on Wednesday as the number of fatalities from the preceding day’s Israeli airstrikes surpassed 300, according to the latest update from the country’s Health Ministry, which confirmed a total of 303 deaths.

According to Mushahid Hussain, a seasoned defence expert and former Pakistani information minister, the rapport between US President Donald Trump and Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, has significantly contributed to Islamabad’s pivotal role in negotiations between the US and Iran. Hussain credits this personal connection for Pakistan’s ability to position itself at the forefront of the talks.

Hussain noted that Trump’s confidence in Pakistan’s team, which includes Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar, is rooted in their strong relationships with key international leaders, including those in Washington DC, Tehran, and Beijing. As a result, Hussain believes that Pakistan can effectively serve as a “force multiplier,” facilitating simultaneous communication with these global powers and enjoying their trust in the process.

Despite Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent declaration that he has ordered direct talks with Lebanon, Israeli Defence Minister Katz has expressed a stark assessment, stating that the conflict will continue unabated.