US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) has issued a stark warning following the disappearance of American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad, with President Elisa Lees Munoz voicing her organization’s extreme distress over the incident.
Munoz expressed grave concern for Kittleson’s safety, highlighting that her current situation and location remain a mystery as Iraqi authorities continue their search for her captors.
As a US citizen, Kittleson has earned a reputation for her fearless reporting on conflict zones across the Middle East, having contributed to prominent publications such as Al-Monitor, Foreign Policy, BBC, and Politico.
Munoz emphasized that Kittleson’s actions as a journalist are legitimate and essential to shedding light on global issues, stating, “She is a dedicated journalist who has been doing her job to inform the public about the truth.”

A flurry of alarms pierced the air once more, marking the third time this morning that warning sirens echoed through central Israel’s streets. The Israeli city of Bnei Brak, situated east of Tel Aviv, has borne the brunt of shrapnel, with reports of 11 distinct sites affected. Emergency responders from the Israeli ambulance service have been deployed to these areas, conducting search and rescue operations amidst the chaos.

A young girl has suffered moderate to severe injuries in the mayhem. Earlier in the hour, a nationwide alert sounded, as Iranian missiles and rockets fired by Hezbollah converged on northern Israel, pushing Israel’s aerial defense systems to their limits. The use of cluster munitions has also been observed, characterized by fragmenting warheads that can detonate in multiple locations, even if intercepted.

With the eve of Passover looming, Israel anticipates a prolonged and intense period of rocket and missile attacks. The past 19 hours have seen a relative lull, but the recent escalation suggests a heavy day and night ahead.

Reports from Israel’s Channel 12 indicate that warning systems have been triggered in the Galilee area in response to hostile actions emanating from Lebanon.

The latest casualty figures from Israel’s central region have contributed to a significant increase in the overall number of war-related injuries, with a total of 6,286 Israelis now affected, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.

A second devastating drone attack on Kuwait International Airport’s fuel tanks has left a trail of destruction, echoing a similar assault that occurred just a week prior.
The previous incident, which ignited a massive blaze, took an estimated 58 hours to bring under control.
Kuwait authorities have confirmed that the latest attack has sparked a significant fire, underscoring the escalating threat to civilian infrastructure in the GCC region.
This latest incident follows a brazen drone strike on a tanker carrying crude oil off the coast of Dubai, which occurred just a day prior.
Reports also surfaced of a vessel being targeted by projectiles off the coast of Doha, while warning sirens sounded in Bahrain and drone and missile attacks ravaged eastern provinces in Saudi Arabia.

In a coordinated effort with Iran and Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile strike targeting strategic sites in southern Israel, according to a statement broadcast by Al Masirah TV, a channel affiliated with the group.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has taken to social media to commemorate the second anniversary of the tragic loss of Zomi Frankcom, an Australian aid worker who lost her life in an Israeli military operation while providing critical humanitarian assistance in Gaza on April 1, 2024. Frankcom was one of seven World Central Kitchen staff members who perished in the Israeli attack in central Gaza. Wong emphasized that the Australian government continues to advocate for comprehensive accountability, including potential criminal prosecution, in connection with Frankcom’s death. The Australian government has consistently emphasized its expectation of transparency regarding Israel’s ongoing investigation into the deaths of Zomi and her six World Central Kitchen colleagues. Furthermore, Wong noted that 110 countries have endorsed the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, a measure Australia introduced at the UN in response to Frankcom’s killing.

Hospital sources have confirmed that the 10-year-old boy and 11-year-old girl, both victims of the recent violence in Bnei Brak, are facing life-threatening conditions. The information, relayed through Israeli media outlets, underscores the severity of the situation. Meanwhile, it has been reported that at least 14 individuals sustained injuries in the central Israel attacks.

According to the Israeli Defense Forces, a high-ranking individual identified as the engineering chief for the Lebanon Corps within the Quds Force of the IRGC was reportedly neutralized in the Iranian city of Mahallat.
The targeted individual, Mahdi Vafai, allegedly spearheaded clandestine operations in Lebanon and Syria over the course of two decades, encompassing the development of infrastructure for Hezbollah and the management of arms depots.
While no official response has been forthcoming from the Iranian government, this latest incident marks the latest in a series of Israeli strikes against Quds Force operatives, including a recent assault on a Beirut hotel.

Qatar’s Defence Ministry has confirmed that the country was the target of a coordinated missile attack originating from Iran, resulting in a single successful hit on an oil tanker leased by QatarEnergy.
According to a recent statement posted on X, the ministry successfully intercepted two of the three cruise missiles fired from Iranian territory, with the remaining missile striking its intended target.
The crew of 21 individuals on board the affected tanker was safely evacuated, and fortunately, no casualties were reported.