A fire broke out at a factory in the Czech Republic associated with Israeli defense company Elbit Systems, according to local police. Authorities are investigating possible involvement of a terrorist group after several buildings at the site were destroyed in an early morning attack. A group has already claimed responsibility for the incident.

Al Jazeera reported that the facility, jointly operated by a Czech company and Elbit Systems, suffered extensive damage. Elbit Systems is a key supplier of weapons to the Israeli military, providing arms used in ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Iran.

A group calling itself “The Earthquake Fashion” claimed responsibility on Telegram, describing the site as a major European hub for Elbit’s operations and declaring it was now burning. The group said it acted to disrupt what it called tools of killing, asserting that it would take necessary measures against cooperating governments.

The United States is reportedly considering a plan to seize or blockade Iran’s Kharg Island, a vital hub for the country’s oil exports, according to Axios. The move aims to break Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz and compel Tehran to reopen the strategic waterway. Citing at least four sources, the report said Washington views this military pressure as essential to resolving the ongoing conflict with Iran. Nearly 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil is processed and exported through Kharg Island.

The report warned that such an operation could expose US forces to significant risk due to the island’s proximity to Iran. The US military presence in the region has already been increased, with preparations underway for additional troop deployments. Plans reportedly include weeks of airstrikes to weaken Iran’s defenses before any attempt to seize the island, though no final decision has been made.

Military analysts and former US naval officers cautioned that the operation would be highly risky and might not guarantee Iran’s return to negotiations. The rising tension has already unsettled global energy markets, raising concerns about broader economic impacts.

Switzerland has suspended all types of arms exports to the United States amid the ongoing war involving Iran, Israel, and the U.S. The Swiss government announced the decision on Friday, citing the need to maintain the country's long-standing policy of neutrality. The move comes as the conflict reaches its 21st day following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.

In an official statement, the Swiss government said it could not authorize the export of war materials to any country currently engaged in armed conflict with Iran. The statement specifically mentioned that, due to the prevailing situation, exports of war equipment to the United States were also being halted. The government emphasized that the decision was a direct result of Switzerland’s commitment to neutrality.

The suspension marks a significant policy action by Switzerland during the ongoing Middle East conflict, underscoring its intent to remain neutral despite pressure from global powers involved in the war.

Denmark reportedly made preparations to destroy key runways in Greenland amid fears that then-U.S. President Donald Trump might attempt to seize control of the island. According to a report by Danish state broadcaster DR, the plan aimed to prevent U.S. forces from landing easily in case of conflict. Authorities also prepared blood reserves for potential casualties. European officials confirmed the information to BBC and the Financial Times, though Denmark’s defense ministry declined to comment.

Tensions between the two NATO allies had risen over Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, after Trump repeatedly expressed interest in bringing it under U.S. control, a proposal rejected by both Danish and Greenlandic leaders. In response, Copenhagen sought support from European partners, particularly France and Germany, and coordinated joint military readiness with Nordic countries.

The situation escalated on January 3 when U.S. forces detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, prompting Denmark to strengthen its defensive preparations. Later, a joint military team from Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden was deployed to Greenland, officially as a drill but reportedly as a precaution against U.S. aggression. Tensions eased after Trump stated at the World Economic Forum that he preferred a diplomatic solution.

Israeli forces have been accused of attacking worshippers who gathered for Eid al-Fitr prayers near the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. According to a report by Al Jazeera, tear gas shells were fired to disperse the crowd, and operations were carried out to prevent the prayers from taking place. The incident occurred on Friday and has drawn attention due to its timing during one of the holiest events in the Muslim calendar.

The report noted that Israeli authorities had already imposed strict restrictions on entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque amid ongoing tensions involving Israel, Iran, and the United States. Observers said the latest confrontation has further heightened regional tensions. The situation reflects the fragile security environment surrounding religious sites in Jerusalem.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that the incident could exacerbate instability in the region, where religious and geopolitical disputes remain deeply intertwined.

A total of 282 Bangladeshi nationals are returning home from Bahrain amid the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. The group departed for Dhaka on Friday, March 20, 2026, aboard a special chartered flight that will travel from Bahrain to Dhaka via Dammam. The repatriation flight was arranged to ensure the safe return of citizens affected by the regional instability.

According to the Bangladesh Embassy in Manama, the special flight was organized by the embassy in cooperation with Gulf Air. The aircraft took off at 9 a.m. local time carrying all 282 passengers. Before departure, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Bahrain, Md. Rois Hasan Sarwar, met the expatriates at the Golden Tulip Hotel, wishing them a safe journey and expressing gratitude to the airline for its assistance.

The embassy’s initiative highlights Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to support its citizens in conflict-affected areas of the Middle East and ensure their safe repatriation when necessary.

Several Gulf countries have banned open-field Eid congregations due to heightened security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. According to Al Jazeera, authorities in these nations have instructed that Eid al-Fitr prayers be held only inside mosques. Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates have already urged citizens not to gather in traditional open prayer grounds after Ramadan.

Officials stated that the decision followed a reassessment of public safety risks in light of the current regional tensions. They described the measure as a precautionary step to prevent potential security incidents during large gatherings.

The move reflects growing unease across the Middle East as the Iran-Israel confrontation intensifies, prompting governments to tighten security and limit public assemblies during major religious events.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed on Friday that its spokesman, General Ali Mohammad Naini, was killed in a joint missile strike carried out by Israel and the United States. According to Iran’s state-run Tasnim News Agency, the attack took place early in the morning, and the news of Naini’s death was shared through the agency’s Telegram channel.

Before his death, Naini issued a statement asserting that despite repeated attacks by Israel and the United States, Tehran remained capable of producing missiles. He pledged to continue the fight, emphasizing that the Iranian people supported ongoing resistance until their enemies were completely defeated. He added that the conflict should only end once the “dark shadow of war” was fully removed from the country.

The Israeli military also confirmed Naini’s death, stating that he was killed overnight in an airstrike. The incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Iran and its adversaries in the region.

Israeli airstrikes continued across southern Lebanon on Friday morning, targeting several towns including Bafiliya and Hanin in the Tyre and Bint Jbeil regions, according to Lebanon’s state news agency. The attacks left several people injured, though the exact number of casualties from the latest strikes was not specified.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that since March 2, a total of 1,001 people have been killed in Israeli attacks across the country. Among the dead are 79 women, 118 children, and 40 healthcare workers. The ministry also stated that 2,584 people have been injured during this period. The report, citing BBC Bangla, highlights the continuing escalation of violence between Israel and Lebanon.

The rising civilian toll underscores the growing humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict, with health workers among the casualties and widespread injuries reported across affected regions.

Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem to perform Eid al-Fitr prayers, according to Al Jazeera. As access to the mosque was blocked, hundreds of worshippers prayed at the gates and on nearby streets, particularly around the Damascus Gate area.

Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli soldiers closed the entrances to the mosque courtyard, stopping worshippers from entering. The Jerusalem Governorate condemned the move as a dangerous escalation and a direct violation of religious freedom. Citing the Palestinian news agency Wafa, it said the action aimed to impose a new Judaization reality and detach the mosque from its Palestinian and Islamic identity.

This marks the first time in six decades that Eid prayers could not be held inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, highlighting growing tensions in the region.

An Iranian missile struck Israel’s Haifa oil refinery, causing partial disruption to its operations, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The attack occurred on Thursday, and the Oil Refineries Company confirmed in a Friday statement that critical power supply infrastructure was damaged.

The company specified that the missile hit a power system serving a third-party facility essential to refinery operations. Despite the damage, most production units remain operational, and some of the affected units are being gradually restarted. Authorities expect full operations to resume within a few days.

The incident adds to ongoing regional instability, though the report did not mention any casualties or broader military responses. The company’s focus remains on restoring full functionality as soon as possible.

Six major countries—Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands—announced their readiness to cooperate in ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. However, Italy, Germany and France clarified that any initiative would only take effect after a ceasefire. The joint statement condemned Iran’s recent attacks on civilian commercial vessels in the Gulf region and welcomed early planning efforts by other nations to address the crisis.

The announcement came amid a near-halt of commercial shipping through the strait due to Iran’s blockade, following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28 that triggered retaliatory attacks by Tehran. According to the International Maritime Organization, about 20,000 sailors on 3,200 ships remain stranded west of the strait. The six nations expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict and urged Iran to stop all threats, mining, drone and missile attacks, and interference with maritime traffic.

Italy’s defense minister emphasized that no entry into the strait would occur without a ceasefire and a multilateral framework under UN authority. Germany and France echoed this stance, linking any military role to post-ceasefire conditions and international mandates.

Israeli military officials have reported that nearly 20 Israeli drones were shot down within Iranian airspace amid the continuing conflict between the two countries. According to the officials, the Israeli military described the losses as 'acceptable,' as reported by the Times of Israel. No Israeli fighter jets have been downed so far, though pilots have repeatedly encountered Iranian air defense missiles. In one instance, a fighter jet narrowly avoided being hit, according to military sources.

The report indicates that both sides continue their military operations, with aerial tensions escalating steadily. The situation underscores the intensifying hostilities in the region as air defense systems on both sides remain on high alert.

The source of the report is Al Jazeera, as cited by the publication.

Eid al-Fitr celebrations across the Middle East have been subdued this year as war and economic hardship overshadow the festive spirit. From Beirut to Dubai and Jerusalem, millions of Muslims are marking the end of Ramadan under the shadow of conflict and rising prices. In Lebanon, residents like Aziza Ahmed say there is little to celebrate, with families struggling to afford basic necessities and many displaced people unable to return home.

The region’s tensions have intensified since February 28, when conflict erupted involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, leaving at least 30 people dead in Gulf countries. Kuwait has temporarily banned public gatherings such as plays, concerts, and weddings during Eid, while Qatar has suspended all mass events. The United Arab Emirates has instructed worshippers to perform Eid prayers inside mosques for safety reasons.

In occupied East Jerusalem, Israel’s closure of holy sites including Al-Aqsa Mosque has left Palestinians grieving. Despite the fear and restrictions, some families in Bahrain and elsewhere are trying to maintain normalcy, preparing for Eid in hopes that the turmoil will soon pass.

Israel has extended Eid al-Fitr greetings to Muslims around the world. On Friday, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a message on Facebook wishing Eid Mubarak to Muslims in Israel and across the globe. The post included a greeting card featuring messages in English and Arabic and expressed hopes for peace, joy, and brighter days ahead.

In addition to the ministry’s message, Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a statement marking the occasion. He noted that this year’s Eid al-Fitr comes at a complex and sensitive time, as Israel continues efforts to build a better and safer future for all people in the region. Herzog reaffirmed the country’s commitment to tolerance and mutual respect.

The president’s message concluded with a wish for peace and prosperity, emphasizing the hope that such days will arrive soon.