US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

Hezbollah has reported a confrontation between its combatants and the Israeli Defense Forces in the Bint Jbeil region of southern Lebanon, a locality that has borne the brunt of Israeli military operations. Situated just 5 kilometers from the Israeli border, Bint Jbeil has been a focal point of the ongoing conflict.

The Israeli military has issued a new warning, compelling residents of the Al-Janah neighborhood to leave immediately due to the threat of air strikes. This warning marks an expansion of the targeted area, which now includes this densely populated neighborhood situated south of a previously evacuated zone. The Al-Janah neighborhood, home to thousands of people, borders Beirut’s international airport and has already seen a significant influx of displaced individuals.

As a result of the previous wave of bombings across the city, which struck central Beirut just over 24 hours ago, the neighborhood is now facing another round of displacement. Residents recall that a building was hit approximately 20 to 25 minutes prior to its collapse, with many people still trapped inside. Rescue efforts have been ongoing, with an excavator painstakingly excavating the massive pile of rubble in search of survivors and recovering the remains of those who did not survive. Notably, there were no prior warnings issued for this area or other targets in central Beirut, leaving residents caught off guard.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in a high-level 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 actions, emphasizing Islamabad’s firm stance on the matter.
The readout noted that Lebanon’s prime minister had specifically requested Pakistan’s assistance in swiftly halting the attacks targeting Lebanon and its citizens.
The situation has become increasingly complex, with the US and Iran having recently reached a tentative ceasefire agreement, leaving uncertainty over whether Lebanon is included in the accord. While the US maintains that Lebanon is excluded, Pakistan, which is playing a key role in mediating the talks, insists that it is part of the agreement.

The air is thick with the rumble of aircraft and the hum of drones overhead. A series of blasts can be heard in the distance, and a previously damaged bridge has been swiftly repaired by the military and Lebanese civil defense personnel. The most striking development in recent hours is the confirmation of fierce clashes in Bint Jbeil, a town situated approximately 3-4km (1.8–2.5 miles) from the Blue Line.

For weeks, Israeli troops have been attempting to gain entry into Bint Jbeil, but their efforts have been met with fierce resistance from Hezbollah fighters. Now, the Israeli military is attempting to encircle the town, with fighting spilling into the town’s eastern streets. Israel’s stated objective remains the establishment of a buffer zone along the border, coupled with targeted strikes against Hezbollah.

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

In the aftermath of a devastating conflict sparked by US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Islamabad will serve as the venue for high-level diplomatic talks between American and Iranian officials this Saturday. The conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives across various countries, severely impacted global oil supplies and led to a surge in energy prices. The talks are scheduled to take place in the picturesque capital city of Pakistan, nestled in the foothills of the Margalla Hills.

Daily commemorations are unfolding in the streets and public spaces of Tehran as the city’s residents come together to honor the memory of Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader of Iran, who passed away 40 days ago. The routine has become a familiar sight, with a massive gathering in Enghelab Square serving as a recent example. While chants of support for Iran echoed through the crowds, several banners were also visible, expressing solidarity with the people of Lebanon. As a result, the tributes have become a daily occurrence not only in Tehran but also in other Iranian cities.

The sound of jets, drones, and overflights has been a persistent presence in southern Lebanon, with a relentless barrage of strikes that show no signs of easing. In the past 12 hours, two separate attacks have claimed the lives of 17 people, with one incident occurring in the Al-Zrariyeh neighbourhood of Sidon and the other in Abbasiya, 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, sparking alarm among local communities.

A critical infrastructure target, the bridge connecting Tyre to the rest of the country was severely damaged in an overnight strike. While local authorities have managed to make partial repairs and restore some traffic flow, many bridges spanning the Litani River have been either completely destroyed or severely damaged. Even with these limited repairs, movement in and out of the south remains severely restricted for civilians.

If Israel continues to target critical infrastructure like bridges, the already dire situation for those remaining in the south will only worsen. Medical teams operating in the field remain under threat, and there is currently no indication that the fighting will subside anytime soon.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has announced that a delegation from Iran will proceed to Islamabad for high-stakes negotiations with the United States. As reported by Iran’s Fars news agency, Khatibzadeh emphasized several prerequisites for any potential agreement, including an immediate halt to Israeli aggression against Lebanon. He underscored the importance of Lebanon’s involvement in any regional peace initiative, cautioning that “the coming hours are very critical”.

Islamabad-based authorities have revealed the identities of individuals poised to participate in the upcoming high-stakes negotiations between the US and Iran, scheduled to take place in the Pakistani capital on Saturday.

A sense of unease is gripping Washington as the prospect of a ceasefire collapse looms, even before negotiations in Islamabad can take place to clarify the agreement’s specifics. This anxiety stems from Vice President Vance’s assertion that Iran believed the ceasefire encompassed Lebanon. The implications of Vance’s statement are far-reaching, as they suggest the ceasefire is woefully inadequate and susceptible to disruption.

The Capitol Hill community is abuzz with concern over the stark divergence between the US and its ally Pakistan regarding the ceasefire’s scope. Pakistan’s unequivocal assertion that Lebanon was included in the agreement directly contradicts the US stance, fueling international apprehension. In a separate development, President Trump has taken to social media to criticize NATO, stating that the alliance’s members, including the US, require external pressure to comprehend the situation. This latest salvo has sparked calls for Congressional intervention to rein in the president’s actions. However, Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill remain resolute in their assertion that Lebanon constitutes a distinct theatre of operation.