Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called on the European Union to suspend its cooperation agreement with Israel following a deadly attack in Lebanon that killed 254 people on the same day a ceasefire was declared. Sánchez accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of showing contempt for human life and international law, describing the assault as Israel’s harshest strike against Lebanon. He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, citing more than 200 deaths and over a thousand injuries.

Sánchez urged the international community to condemn Israel for violating international law and insisted that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement. He emphasized that no impunity should be granted for what he described as a criminal act. The EU-Israel Association Agreement, signed in 2000, serves as the legal foundation for trade, political dialogue, and economic cooperation between the two sides.

The Spanish leader’s appeal adds pressure on the EU to reconsider its ties with Israel amid growing concerns over civilian casualties and adherence to international law.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has accused the United States of violating the terms of a ceasefire agreement following Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that killed at least 254 people on Wednesday. The allegation was reported by Al Jazeera and shared by Baghaei through a social media post.

In his post, Baghaei shared a video of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that Lebanon was not included in the two-week ceasefire agreement. Baghaei questioned whether this statement represented an early-stage breach of the agreement by the United States. A day earlier, he had also shared a post from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which claimed that both Iran and the United States had agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon.

The exchange highlights growing diplomatic tension surrounding the scope and interpretation of the ceasefire, particularly regarding Lebanon’s inclusion in the agreement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement with the United States and that Israel’s ongoing war against Hezbollah there must stop. He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, citing Al Jazeera as the source of the report.

Araghchi claimed that the inclusion of Lebanon was already part of prior understandings, contradicting Israel’s recent statements. He said the world is witnessing genocide in Lebanon and that it is now up to the United States to honor its commitments. He also suggested that easing regional tensions requires addressing the situation in both Gaza and Lebanon as part of any ceasefire talks.

According to the report, on the first day of the US-Iran ceasefire, Israeli attacks in Lebanon killed 254 people and injured 1,165, even though Hezbollah had halted its strikes on Israel in observance of the truce.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that Lebanon is not included in the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. She made the clarification during a briefing on Wednesday, noting that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had discussed the ceasefire the previous night. According to Leavitt, Netanyahu supported the initiative and remains an important partner in the discussions.

When asked whether Lebanon might be included in the agreement in the future, Leavitt said discussions on the matter are ongoing. On the same day, Netanyahu emphasized that Hezbollah is not part of the ceasefire with Iran and that Israel will continue its operations against the group.

The report added that on the first day of the US-Iran ceasefire, Israeli attacks in Lebanon killed 254 people and injured 1,165, even though Hezbollah had halted its attacks on Israel in respect of the truce.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that reports have emerged of ceasefire violations in a few conflict zones, describing them as actions that undermine the spirit of the ongoing peace process. He made the remarks in a statement posted on X, emphasizing the importance of restraint and adherence to the agreed ceasefire.

Sharif urged all parties involved to observe a two-week period of restraint and to fully comply with the ceasefire terms so that diplomacy can lead to a peaceful resolution of the conflicts. Pakistan is currently acting as a mediator in discussions between Iran and the United States, according to the report.

The statement reflects Pakistan’s concern over maintaining the integrity of the peace process and ensuring that recent violations do not derail diplomatic efforts toward stability in the affected regions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir regarding what he described as Israel’s violations of a ceasefire in Iran and Lebanon. The discussion was disclosed by Araghchi through the messaging platform Telegram.

According to Araghchi’s post, he expressed gratitude to Pakistan for what he called the country’s effective efforts to promote peace, security, and an end to hostilities in the region. The exchange comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding ceasefire arrangements and regional stability.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not provide further details on the content of the conversation or any subsequent diplomatic steps following the call.

An attack struck Iran’s Lavan oil refinery on Wednesday morning, hours after the United States announced a ceasefire. According to a statement from the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company, the incident occurred at 6:30 GMT (10:00 local time) on Lavan Island. Security and firefighting teams were deployed to control the situation and extinguish the fire. The company confirmed that no casualties had been reported, as workers were evacuated in time.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, noted that the attack came amid heightened regional tensions despite the U.S. ceasefire declaration. The refinery is part of Iran’s key oil infrastructure, and the incident underscores ongoing instability affecting energy facilities in the region.

Authorities have not yet disclosed who was responsible for the attack or the extent of the damage, leaving uncertainty about potential disruptions to oil production or exports.

Iran may reopen the Strait of Hormuz as early as Thursday or Friday if a ceasefire framework is finalized before the upcoming meeting between Iran and the United States in Pakistan, according to a senior Iranian official cited by Reuters. The official said the reopening process will be coordinated with Iran’s military forces to ensure safe navigation for commercial vessels.

The Strait of Hormuz was previously closed by Iran during the ongoing conflict, causing significant disruption and volatility in global oil and gas markets. As part of the ceasefire understanding with the United States, Tehran has agreed to allow commercial shipping to resume safely through the strategic waterway.

The decision to reopen the strait marks a potential easing of tensions that have affected global energy supplies, though the final timing depends on the completion of the ceasefire framework.

Israel launched around 100 airstrikes across Lebanon within a span of 10 minutes, despite the recent ceasefire between Iran and the United States. According to Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nasereddine, the attacks resulted in more than a hundred people being killed or injured. The Lebanese Red Cross has intensified emergency operations to respond to the crisis.

The Red Cross reported that at least 100 ambulances were deployed to affected areas to rescue the wounded and transport them to nearby hospitals. Rescue teams are also providing on-site medical assistance. The Health Ministry stated that the number of casualties continues to rise, with many of the injured in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could increase further.

The attacks come amid regional uncertainty over whether Lebanon is included in the ceasefire framework. Reports from Al Jazeera indicate that the situation remains volatile as emergency services struggle to manage the aftermath of the strikes.

Three Bangladeshi expatriates from Comilla, including a father and son, were killed in a road accident in Albany, New York, on Monday evening, April 6, local time. Two others were seriously injured and are receiving treatment at a local hospital. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Hiramon, 60, his son Nazmul Robel, 30, both residents of Loudonville, and Nazmul’s friend Fahim Alim, 27, from Narail. Another victim, Julia Riccio, 62, was a resident of New York. The accident occurred when Nazmul, who was driving, lost control of the car on Route 9-H and collided head-on with a Toyota Crown coming from the opposite direction.

According to the New York Bangladeshi community, the victims were traveling to see a new house and business location when the crash occurred. Hiramon’s daughter Ratna, 33, and granddaughter Ikra, 1, were seriously injured. Family members confirmed that the funeral prayer will be held on Wednesday after Zuhr at Baitul Aman Islamic Center, followed by burial at Marlboro Muslim Cemetery in New Jersey.

Mourning has spread through their home village of Karibari in Muradnagar, Comilla, following the tragic deaths.

The United States, Israel, and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with Pakistan acting as mediator. The agreement aims to ease heightened tensions in the Middle East, and Tehran announced that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will now be possible. The ceasefire declaration has brought a temporary calm to the region after a period of escalating conflict.

Islamic scholar and As-Sunnah Foundation chairman Shaykh Ahmadullah expressed hope that the ceasefire would become permanent, praying for relief from oppression and aggression worldwide. He made the remarks in a post on his verified Facebook page on April 8.

Bangladesh welcomed the temporary halt in hostilities, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing a statement urging all parties to respect the ceasefire and work constructively toward a durable peace. The statement commended the diplomatic efforts behind the agreement and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s belief that all disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy.

Former interim government chief adviser and Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called on global leaders to take immediate and effective measures to end the ongoing war in the Middle East. In a statement released to the media on Wednesday, he warned that the conflict is pushing an already wounded world toward deeper instability and causing immense suffering for civilians, particularly children.

Dr. Yunus described the war as not merely a regional crisis but a profound moral challenge for all humanity. He said the conflict is heightening global uncertainty and instability, with poor nations bearing the greatest cost as marginalized communities face worsening hardship. He emphasized the urgent need for courage, compassion, and a clear vision to build global unity.

He urged world leaders to act decisively to uphold international law, prioritize diplomatic dialogue over military escalation, and strengthen multilateral cooperation. According to him, humanity must choose peace over war, dialogue over aggression, and unity over division.

Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has warned that the ceasefire agreement between the United States, Israel, and Iran could collapse if the Lebanon front is not included. Hezbollah parliament member Ibrahim Mousawi stated that the Hezbollah-Israel front is part of the deal and insisted that if Israel fails to comply, Iran and the wider region will respond.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli military announced that its ground operations and fighting against Hezbollah would continue, echoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position that the ceasefire agreement does not cover Lebanon. Despite the ceasefire taking effect, Israel has continued to carry out attacks in southern Lebanon.

Since the beginning of the conflict, Iran has repeatedly emphasized that any agreement must include the Lebanon front, underscoring Tehran’s consistent stance on regional inclusion in ceasefire arrangements.

Several countries including China, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Oman, Germany, Australia, and others have welcomed the recently announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The ceasefire, reportedly lasting two weeks, was described by many governments as a positive step toward easing tensions in the Middle East. Statements of support were issued through official channels and social media, with leaders emphasizing the need for dialogue and restraint.

China’s foreign ministry said it had worked toward lasting peace in the region, while Japan called the truce a positive move and awaited a permanent peace deal. France’s President Emmanuel Macron praised the development but warned that Lebanon’s crisis must also be addressed. The UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to help sustain the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Oman, Germany, and Australia highlighted the importance of diplomatic efforts and thanked mediating nations such as Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.

Other nations, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Iraq, and New Zealand, echoed calls for compliance with the ceasefire terms and avoidance of provocations. Many expressed hope that the truce would lead to a permanent resolution and regional stability.

A large-scale conflict erupted after the United States and Israel launched major attacks on Iran on February 28, killing the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran retaliated, sparking a regional war that has left thousands dead across the Middle East, with most casualties reported in Iran and Lebanon.

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 3,636 people have been killed in Iran since the war began, including more than 150 in attacks on girls’ schools. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported at least 1,900 deaths in Iran. Lebanese authorities said 1,530 people, including 129 children, were killed by Israeli strikes since March 2. Three Indonesian UN peacekeepers died in southern Lebanon, while Iraq reported 117 deaths. Israel’s ambulance service confirmed 23 deaths from Iranian and Lebanese missile attacks, and its military reported 11 soldiers killed. The US Central Command said 13 American soldiers were killed and over 300 wounded.

Casualties were also reported in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Palestine, Syria, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and northern Iraq, underscoring the widespread regional impact of the conflict.