In 2024, violence against children in conflict zones surged to unprecedented levels, with over 41,000 grave violations documented globally, the UN reports. More than 4,500 children were killed and at least 7,000 injured. The highest numbers came from Gaza, the DRC, and other conflict-affected areas. The UN also named Israel, Hamas, and a Haitian gang coalition on its annual “list of shame.” Officials warn the world is on the brink of a humanitarian crisis targeting the most vulnerable — children.

Iran has launched another missile strike on the Israeli city of Beersheba, lightly injuring five people and causing temporary closure of the city’s northern rail station. Emergency services are on-site, and the attack caused minor damage to nearby buildings. Israeli rescue agency Magen David Adom released images of the aftermath but confirmed no fatalities.

Israeli forces have escalated their assault on Gaza, killing at least 92 Palestinians in the past 24 hours and injuring over 200 others. Eyewitnesses report that the victims included people waiting in line for humanitarian aid, as Israeli shelling targeted areas near a relief distribution center run by a US- and Israeli-backed agency. With casualties mounting rapidly, hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed and struggling to provide adequate care.

Following a missile attack launched from Iran, sirens were triggered across several areas in southern Israel on Friday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported.

In a statement on their Telegram channel, the IDF said, “We are actively working to intercept these missiles.” Details about casualties or damage have not yet been disclosed, and media access to affected sites remains restricted by Israeli authorities.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shared a video on X (formerly Twitter), showcasing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and scenes of civilian suffering. The video also featured footage of Iran’s missile attack on Israel, followed by jubilant reactions from supporters and the resulting destruction in Israel.

In his post, Khamenei wrote, “These missiles brought joy to the honorable people of the world.”

Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chairman of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff, has issued a stark warning during a visit to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force base. He declared that Iran would continue launching unrelenting attacks against what he termed the "occupying Zionist forces," emphasizing that there are "no limitations" to their military operations.

“With the help of Allah, we will strike any target associated with the Zionist occupiers without pause,” Mousavi stated. He also praised the base’s personnel for their "high morale and full readiness," and commended the IRGC for its recent "precise and devastating" operations against Israel.

Mousavi’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region, with Iran and Israel engaged in increasingly hostile rhetoric and military actions in recent months.

European foreign ministers and EU officials will meet Iran's foreign minister in Geneva on June 20 to discuss Iran's nuclear program, following Israeli attacks on Iranian sites and U.S. threats of military action. The talks aim to reduce tensions and revive diplomacy after the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran continues uranium enrichment beyond agreed limits but denies pursuing nuclear weapons. European leaders stress dialogue as the only viable path to avoid further escalation in the region.

Following a visit to a damaged hospital in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised former U.S. President Donald Trump, calling their friendship “incredible” and revealing that the two speak “almost every day.”

Netanyahu emphasized Trump's strong stance on Iran, noting, “His clear message—that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons—is vital. To ensure that, Iran must halt uranium enrichment.”

He further stated, “Trump offered them a chance to negotiate, but they deceived him. No one can deceive Donald Trump and get away with it.”

On the possibility of U.S. military intervention, Netanyahu remarked, “That decision rests with the President. However, they are already providing us with significant support.”

In response to escalating foreign aggression, Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage responsible for transporting 20% of the world’s daily oil supply. This move comes amid heightened conflict between Iran and Israel. Commercial ships are already avoiding the area, causing uncertainty in global trade. Analysts warn that shutting the strait could trigger major disruptions in the global energy market and send a strong economic and strategic message to the Western world.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has claimed that Israel’s appeal for U.S. assistance is evidence of its declining strength and incapacity.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Khamenei said, “The way American allies are getting involved and making public statements reveals just how fragile and powerless the Zionist regime has become.” His remarks came shortly after Israel’s Defense Minister stated that eliminating Iran’s Supreme Leader was a primary objective.

Oil prices spiked sharply on Thursday following Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran’s Natanz and Arak nuclear facilities. Brent crude futures rose by 88 cents, or 1.15%, to settle at $77.58 per barrel.

The previous day, oil prices had dipped as much as 2.7% before a slight recovery of 0.3%. According to a Reuters report, the sudden jump reflects investor concerns about the potential for a broader conflict in the Middle East, which could significantly disrupt global oil supply chains.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khatibzadeh condemned Israel’s recent attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling it a “very bad move” based on mere assumptions. He stressed that Iran was still engaged in negotiations until Israel’s act of sabotage. Responding to questions about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, he denied the justification for war on assumptions. Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei urged Iranians to remain steadfast and unafraid, warning that fear would only embolden the enemy. Israel is believed to possess nuclear weapons but neither confirms nor denies it.

Israel has carried out a missile strike on Iran’s heavy water nuclear reactor in Arak, according to Iranian state television. Residents in the surrounding area had earlier been instructed to evacuate by Israeli forces.

The reactor uses deuterium oxide (heavy water) for cooling, which can yield plutonium—a key component in nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that a senior Hezbollah commander was killed in a drone strike in southern Lebanon on Wednesday night. The attack targeted Yassin Izz al-Din, head of Hezbollah’s rocket artillery unit in the Litani River sector, in the town of Barish.

The IDF said he was responsible for numerous rocket attacks on northern Israel and was actively working to rebuild Hezbollah’s artillery operations.

Israeli Health Minister Uriel Buso has declared that Iran crossed a "red line" by launching a missile that damaged the roof of Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva, southern Israel.

Buso told Army Radio that targeting a major civilian hospital constitutes a war crime by Iran’s regime. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported additional Israeli airstrikes on aid distribution centers in Gaza, resulting in over a hundred casualties.