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The Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem reopened after a 40‑day closure imposed by Israeli authorities.Verified video footage released by Al Jazeera shows crowds streaming through the gates early Thursday, with approximately 3,000 worshippers attending the morning prayers.The ban had been total—or limited to a few dozen faithful—at Christian, Jewish and Muslim sites since the US‑Israeli war on Iran began on February 28. Israel frequently imposes restrictions, especially on Palestinian worshippers.The Islamic Waqf Department in occupied Jerusalem confirmed that the doors of Al‑Aqsa would be opened to all worshippers from dawn; the Jordanian‑affiliated authority managing the site offered no further details.Volunteers and caretakers were seen preparing courtyards and prayer areas to receive the faithful, while Israeli officials announced the simultaneous opening of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Wednesday evening.Israeli police attributed the decision to “updated instructions from the Israeli Home Front Command” and highlighted a massive security deployment, with hundreds of police officers and border guards stationed throughout the Old City and surrounding roads to “secure visitors.”Jerusalem’s holy sites have endured strict security measures and repeated closures during the six‑week regional war, curtailing celebrations of Lent, Passover, Ramadan and, for the first time since Israel’s 1967 occupation, Eid al‑Fitr prayers at Al‑Aqsa.The lifting of the ban arrives just in time for Orthodox Christians, who observe Easter on Sunday, a week after Catholic and Protestant celebrations.Continued Raids in the Occupied West BankIsraeli forces continued operations across the occupied West Bank. In Nablus, a woman was detained and a man assaulted during an early‑morning raid, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.The Ramallah‑based Palestinian Health Ministry reported that Israeli forces fatally shot 28‑year‑old Alaa Khaled Mohammed Sbeih near the village of Tayasir on Wednesday night; the Israeli military said an off‑duty soldier fired at a stone‑thrower.Wafa added that six young men were detained in Tayasir, while troops stormed homes in Ya’bad, south of Jenin, destroying the contents of three houses. Additional raids hit the villages of Qusra and Awarta, though no arrests were reported there.The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since 2023, with at least 10,000 people forcibly displaced.

Israel's wave of air attacks on Lebanon has resulted in a significant escalation of violence, with over 250 people killed and 1,165 wounded. The attacks, which occurred just hours after the announcement of a two-week US-Iran ceasefire, have raised concerns about the fragility of the agreement.The Israeli military claimed it was targeting Hezbollah's military infrastructure, but Lebanese officials and aid groups reported that entire neighborhoods were devastated, with hospitals overwhelmed and emergency services struggling to cope. The United Nations described the casualty figures as 'appalling', with its human rights chief Volker Turk calling the destruction 'horrific'.The attacks have exposed major disagreements over the scope of the ceasefire, with the US and Israel claiming it excludes Lebanon, while Iran and Pakistan argue it includes the country. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose government helped broker the deal, stated that the ceasefire deal included the halting of attacks on all fronts, specifically mentioning Lebanon.The continuation of Israeli attacks in Lebanon poses a significant threat to the prospects for the ceasefire between the US and Iran. Analysts warn that if Hezbollah continues to be targeted while attacks on Iran remain paused, Tehran could lose both its leverage and credibility within its network of resistance groups.International reaction has largely focused on condemning the scale of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and calling for Lebanon's inclusion in the ceasefire. Several countries, including Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, described the attacks as a 'dangerous escalation' and urged the international community to act.

Fresh Israeli airstrikes have struck southern Lebanon, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries, just a day after a devastating attack that claimed over 200 lives. The escalation has sparked concerns about the stability of the recently announced US-Iran ceasefire, which Tehran says includes Lebanon.Lebanon's National News Agency reported that an Israeli strike on the town of Abbassiyeh killed at least seven people and wounded several others, with the total expected to rise. The attacks have targeted various towns, including Kafra, Jmaijmeh, Safad al-Battikh, Majdal Selm, and Deir Antar near Qasmiyeh bridge.The Lebanese army confirmed that four of its soldiers were killed in Israeli strikes on Wednesday. The Israeli military claimed that it carried out overnight strikes in Beirut, killing Ali Yusuf Harshi, a close aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem.The scale and intensity of the attacks suggest a broader campaign that continues despite the ceasefire agreement. Al Jazeera's Nida Ibrahim reported from Ramallah that the ongoing strikes reflect a deeper alignment between Israel and the US. Hezbollah has insisted that the ceasefire deal between the US and Iran should include the Lebanon front.According to the Lebanese health ministry, 203 people were killed on Wednesday, with over 1,000 wounded in Israeli attacks across Lebanon. Lebanon's prime minister declared a national day of mourning on Thursday, ordering public offices to close and flags to be lowered in tribute.International leaders have condemned the attacks, with UN human rights chief Volker Turk describing the scale of killing as 'horrific'. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said: 'We strongly condemn these massive strikes which, in ten minutes, killed more than 250 people, adding to the 1,500 victims of this conflict initiated by Hezbollah against Israel on March 2.'Lebanon's Health Ministry reports that Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed at least 1,739 people and wounded 5,873 people.

Lebanon has declared a national day of mourning following a devastating wave of Israeli attacks that killed at least 254 people and injured over 1,165 in a single day. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has mobilized 'all of Lebanon's political and diplomatic resources to stop the Israeli killing machine.'Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire between the US and Iran, a position echoed by US Vice President JD Vance, who said, 'We never made that promise.'Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the ceasefire, claimed the deal included a pause in fighting in Lebanon. However, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Washington must choose between a ceasefire or 'continued war via Israel,' emphasizing that it 'cannot have both.'Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said a halt to Israeli attacks in Lebanon was a key condition of Iran's 10-point plan for securing an end to the Middle East war. However, a US official stated that Iran's published ceasefire plan is not the same set of conditions agreed on by the White House.US Vice President JD Vance will lead the country's delegation for talks with Iran in Pakistan, while French President Emmanuel Macron has urged that Lebanon be included in the ceasefire as the 'best path to peace.'The conflict has also affected the Gulf region, with Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain reporting damage and disruptions from Iranian strikes. The situation remains volatile, with Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu stating that Israel is prepared to 'return to battle' if necessary.

President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social that U.S. troops, aircraft and naval vessels will stay positioned around Iran until what he termed the "REAL AGREEMENT" is fully honored, warning that any failure by Tehran will trigger "bigger, better, and stronger" military action.Trump’s message, posted late Wednesday, underscores Washington’s demand that Iran abandon any nuclear weapons ambitions and guarantee safe passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. He added that U.S. forces are "loading up and resting, looking forward to its next conquest," a rhetoric that heightens concerns of a rapid escalation.The announcement follows a two‑week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan that paused six weeks of combat and briefly steadied global markets worried about disruptions to oil shipments through Hormuz. However, the truce remains precarious.Iranian semi‑official outlets ISNA and Tasnim released a chart suggesting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had laid sea mines in the strait, marking a "danger zone" that forced some vessels to navigate farther north near Larak Island. The chart, dated Feb. 28 to Apr. 9, leaves it unclear whether the mines have been cleared.On the ground in Tehran, public sentiment is deeply skeptical. One woman told Al Jazeera that any day without bloodshed would be "very good," while another dismissed the ceasefire as meaningless while Israel continues its bombardment of Lebanon. A third resident called the truce "a theatrical show" orchestrated by Trump.Negotiations are further complicated by Tehran’s rejection of a sweeping U.S. proposal. Iran insists on an end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the lifting of sanctions—conditions Washington has yet to accept.Despite the uncertainty, Iranian officials hinted at a diplomatic push: Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam announced on X that a delegation would arrive in Islamabad for talks based on ten Iranian‑proposed points, though he later deleted the post. Pakistan’s capital simultaneously announced two days of unannounced holidays, adding to the opacity.Israel has intensified its campaign in Lebanon, killing at least 182 people in a single day, which Tehran warns could render further negotiations "unreasonable" under the current circumstances.In Washington, opposition to the conflict is mounting. Senator Cory Booker announced that Democrats intend to invoke the War Powers Resolution to force a congressional vote, condemning Trump’s actions as "unauthorised" and "reckless war‑mongering" that the American public does not support.The convergence of U.S. military posturing, Iranian skepticism, Israeli escalation, and domestic political pressure creates a volatile environment where the fragile ceasefire could unravel, threatening regional security and global energy markets.

A harrowing video captured by a 13-year-old girl has surfaced, showcasing the terrifying moment Israel bombed Beirut. The footage, obtained from aljazeera, provides a glimpse into the devastating impact of the airstrike on civilians in the Lebanese capital.The video, which has garnered significant attention, depicts the chaotic scene immediately following the bombing. The girl's documentation of the event serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict.The incident has sparked widespread concern and condemnation, with many calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the airstrike. The Israeli military has not publicly commented on the incident.

The Gulf region breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday after Iran and the United States agreed to a two-week truce, halting over five weeks of escalating attacks and hostile rhetoric.However, Gulf states are expressing caution, concerned that the US, seeking a swift exit, might agree to terms granting Iran some control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which one fifth of the world's oil and natural liquefied gas passes.Iran had nearly brought traffic through the strait to a standstill in response to joint US-Israeli attacks on its soil since February 28. Under the truce, Iran has agreed to halt attacks for two weeks in exchange for resumed maritime transit in the key waterway.Despite this, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are stressing that any deal must result in a permanent, long-term arrangement to keep the strait open. They fear a weakened yet intact Iranian leadership could use the strait as leverage, leaving them under constant threat of disruption and economic blackmail.“There is a quiet but palpable concern that President Trump, eager for a quick political victory, could tolerate some Iranian leverage over the strait in exchange for a fragile truce, prioritising optics over Gulf realities,” said Hesham Alghannam, a Saudi Arabia-based scholar at the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center.The GCC countries, which have faced near-daily Iranian missile and drone attacks, have welcomed the truce but emphasize that the Strait of Hormuz must reopen. They are also concerned about Iran's future influence over the strait, with a Bahrain-sponsored UN Security Council resolution calling for countries to use defensive missions to keep the maritime chokepoint open being vetoed by Russia and China.A further escalation could have devastating consequences for the GCC economies, undoing decades of work to make the region a safe hub for finance, tourism, and culture. Analysts say GCC countries have stepped up diplomacy in the lead-up to the conflict, but officials across the region have warned Iran should not mistake their inaction as a sign of weakness.“The Gulf will leave no stone unturned if Iran continues to take the path of aggression,” said Hamad Althunayyan, a political analyst and professor at Kuwait University. “The Gulf expects its interests to be represented, and included, in any deal with Iran.”

On April 9, 2026, a crowd assembled outside the Israeli embassy in London to voice condemnation of a recent assault on Lebanon. Demonstrators held signs and chanted slogans urging accountability, underscoring the growing diplomatic strain between Israel and Lebanon and drawing international attention to the incident.

Al Jazeera issued a forceful statement denouncing the recent Israeli operation that resulted in the death of a journalist, labeling the act a "heinous crime" and a direct assault on press freedom.The media outlet called for an immediate and transparent investigation, urging both Israeli authorities and international bodies to hold those responsible accountable. It emphasized that attacks on journalists undermine the public’s right to information, especially in volatile regions.In its condemnation, Al Jazeera highlighted the growing dangers faced by reporters covering conflicts, noting that such incidents exacerbate tensions and erode trust between media organizations and state actors.The statement concluded with a plea for the protection of journalists worldwide, urging the international community to reaffirm its commitment to safeguarding those who document the truth in war zones.