Sudanese refugees fleeing the war that erupted in Sudan in April 2023 are increasingly stranded along Morocco’s eastern border, caught between Algerian and Moroccan security forces. Many, like 17-year-old Amir Ali, have endured torture, trafficking, and repeated detentions while crossing Libya and Algeria before reaching Morocco, which they view as a safer destination to seek asylum. Despite being a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Morocco has yet to implement a national asylum law, leaving the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) to handle registration and refugee status determinations under its international mandate.

By the end of 2025, UNHCR had registered 22,370 refugees and asylum seekers in Morocco, with Sudanese nationals forming the largest group of new arrivals. However, refugees face severe challenges: limited access to healthcare, housing, and formal employment, and reports of police pushbacks to southern Morocco or the Algerian border persist. Aid groups such as Fondation Orient-Occident describe the Sudanese community as deeply traumatized and living in precarious conditions.

UNHCR officials warn that a humanitarian funding crisis in 2025 has slowed registration and reduced assistance, leaving many refugees vulnerable to arrest, removal, and worsening health conditions while awaiting resettlement or medical care.

Israeli forces shot and killed a young Palestinian man in southern Gaza’s Rafah area, according to reports on April 19, 2026. Medical sources cited by the Palestinian news agency Wafa said the victim, identified as Yusuf Hasan, was shot from an Israeli military vehicle northwest of Rafah. He was taken to Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Earlier, a child was injured by Israeli gunfire in Rafah’s Mawasi area. In a separate incident, Ahmed Hani Obeid, a 25-year-old who had been wounded in an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza nearly a year ago, died while under treatment. In occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli soldiers reportedly beat a Palestinian near the Qalandiya checkpoint, and the Palestinian Red Crescent said the injured person was taken to a hospital in Ramallah.

Additional clashes were reported near the Dhahiriya (Meitar) checkpoint in the southern West Bank, where a Palestinian worker was shot, and in the Sa’ir area northeast of Hebron, where four Palestinians were injured by pepper spray used by Israeli forces.

Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs reported that at least 3,468 people have been killed in the ongoing conflict involving US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The figure was released through Iran’s ISNA news agency, citing the foundation’s head, Ahmad Mousavi. Earlier, on April 12, the head of Iran’s Legal Medicine Organization had reported 3,375 deaths since the war began.

The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. In response, Iran targeted US bases across the Middle East. After 40 days of fighting, a two-week ceasefire was brokered by Pakistan, though tensions remain high. The United States continues to blockade Iran’s seaports, while Iran maintains control over the vital energy transport route through the Strait of Hormuz.

The situation remains volatile as both sides hold their positions despite the temporary ceasefire, with no clear indication of a lasting resolution.

Israel’s military has confirmed that at least 14 of its soldiers have been killed and more than 650 injured since the start of its large-scale offensive in Lebanon. The campaign began after the outbreak of war in Iran, prompting Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah to launch counterattacks. According to Al Jazeera, the Israeli assault has displaced more than one million people in Lebanon and caused over two thousand civilian deaths.

Following a joint U.S.-Israel strike on Iran, Israel expanded its operations to Lebanon, targeting multiple regions including southern and central areas. Despite a 10-day ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, reports indicate that Israeli forces have continued shelling parts of southern Lebanon. Preliminary assessments by Lebanese authorities suggest around 40,000 homes have been completely or partially destroyed.

The worst damage has been recorded in Beirut’s southern suburbs and across southern Lebanese districts, where returning residents are witnessing widespread devastation after the ceasefire took effect.

The United States military is preparing to inspect and, if necessary, seize oil tankers and commercial vessels linked to Iran in international waters, according to a report published on April 18 citing US officials. The Wall Street Journal reported that the move comes as tensions rise over maritime access in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes, has become a focal point of the dispute. Iran had briefly reopened the strait for navigation but closed it again after the US maintained its blockade on Iranian ports. The development follows failed talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan last week, which ended without agreement, leading to the continuation of the US blockade since Monday.

The preparations for inspections and possible seizures signal a further escalation in maritime tensions between the two countries, with potential implications for global energy transport through the Strait of Hormuz.

The death toll in Gaza has reached 72,549 as Israeli attacks continue, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The ministry reported that since the Israeli military operation began on October 7, 2023, a total of 172,274 people have been injured. Bodies continue to be recovered from the rubble, and new strikes are adding to the casualties.

The Palestinian news agency Wafa stated that in the past 24 hours, health authorities received eight new bodies, including seven from recent attacks and one recovered from debris, while 24 others were injured. Despite a ceasefire declared on October 11, at least 773 Palestinians have been killed and 2,171 injured since then. Rescue teams have also recovered 761 bodies from destroyed buildings during this period.

Authorities said rescue operations remain severely hindered, with many victims still trapped under debris or lying on streets inaccessible to emergency teams. The Martyr Approval Committee has verified and added 196 more names to the death list, underscoring the scale of devastation.

A total of 34 bodies of Bangladeshi expatriate workers were brought back to the country on Saturday. According to the Expatriate Welfare Desk at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, 30 of the bodies arrived from Kuwait on a chartered Kuwait Airways flight in the evening. Four more bodies, two each from Malaysia and Libya, arrived on separate flights the same day.

Officials from the Expatriate Welfare Desk said that repeated flight cancellations caused by the ongoing war situation in the Middle East had delayed the repatriation of the deceased workers. The bodies had been scheduled to return earlier but were stranded due to the disruptions. Later, arrangements were made to bring them back on special flights.

An assistant director of the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board confirmed that the flight problems linked to the regional conflict had caused the delay, and the bodies were eventually transported on separate flights to Bangladesh.

At least eight oil and gas tankers crossed the Strait of Hormuz after Iran declared the reopening of the key trade route during a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East conflict. Ship-tracking data confirmed the movement, marking the first significant passage since the strait was closed by Iranian forces.

According to tracking firm Kpler, the vessels included one crude oil tanker, four liquefied petroleum gas carriers, two oil and chemical tankers, and one classified as an oil product ship. Another platform, Marine Traffic, showed several crude oil tankers still stationed near Iran’s Larak Island, which serves as a checkpoint for ships exiting the Persian Gulf and remains under Iranian blockade.

The closure of the strait had left hundreds of ships stranded in the Persian Gulf, sharply increasing transport costs. Many captains had avoided the area due to fears of attacks or mines, but the temporary opening allowed limited passage for some vessels.

The United States has outlined several reasons that could lead to the cancellation of student visas. In a message issued on Saturday, the US Embassy in Dhaka stated that a student visa may be revoked if a student discontinues studies, remains absent from classes, or withdraws from their academic program without informing their educational institution. The embassy warned that such actions could also affect eligibility for future US visas.

The embassy urged all international students to maintain their lawful status by adhering to the conditions of their visas. It emphasized that compliance with visa regulations is essential to avoid complications that might impact their stay or future opportunities in the United States.

The advisory serves as a reminder for students to remain in good academic standing and communicate promptly with their institutions regarding any changes in their study plans.

The Israeli military announced the establishment of a 'yellow line' in southern Lebanon, similar to the division line previously drawn in Gaza. According to the military, the line separates Israeli-controlled areas from those under Hezbollah’s control. The statement added that several Hezbollah fighters were attacked after allegedly crossing the line and approaching Israeli troops. This marks the first time since the ceasefire that Israel has publicly referred to such a boundary in Lebanon.

The military said that within the past 24 hours, soldiers stationed south of the 'yellow line' identified several individuals crossing from the north, violating ceasefire terms and posing an immediate threat. Israeli forces responded by launching strikes on several areas in southern Lebanon to neutralize the threat. The army reiterated its right to act against any perceived danger despite the ongoing ceasefire.

The report noted that a similar 'yellow line' was drawn in Gaza after the ceasefire took effect on October 10, dividing the territory between Israeli and Hamas control. Israel now appears to be applying the same strategy in Lebanon.

Severe confusion and disruption have gripped maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving thousands of ships stranded. Live tracking data shows most vessels turning westward despite Iran’s announcement that the route is open for commercial navigation. Yesterday, at least 12 ships attempted to approach Larak Island, where Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps monitors movement, but all turned back midway. About 10 ships managed to cross into the Gulf of Oman today, five of which are reportedly under U.S. sanctions.

The situation has created major uncertainty for international shipping companies, most of which are avoiding risk. Gulf states have strongly protested the disruption, calling it unacceptable and reiterating that free passage through the Strait of Hormuz is a universal right. They maintain that Iran cannot impose restrictions on this vital maritime route.

The unfolding situation raises questions about how long the blockage will persist and whether U.S. naval forces will intervene to enforce sanctions or ensure freedom of navigation.

Iran has reopened six airports and allowed limited flights in its airspace after several weeks of suspension. The move comes just days before the end of a two-week ceasefire period, signaling a possible easing of restrictions in the country’s eastern skies. Flight tracking data showed at least two aircraft operating in Iranian airspace in recent hours. The reopened airports include Tehran’s Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad, along with Mashhad, Birjand, Gorgan, and Zahedan.

Mehrabad Airport had suffered severe infrastructure damage during 40 days of conflict, when U.S. and Israeli forces carried out heavy bombings in nearby areas. Despite the destruction, the airport’s reopening is being viewed as a significant step toward restoring normal operations. Local sources indicated that airlines are preparing to resume both domestic and international services.

However, the overall situation remains fragile, and observers are closely monitoring whether the resumption of air traffic can continue under current conditions.

Iran has withdrawn its earlier decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States of breaching trust. The announcement came through a statement from Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters, which said the country had previously allowed limited oil and commercial vessel movement under a prior agreement. However, it claimed that the United States violated that understanding by continuing actions described as maritime piracy and theft under the pretext of sanctions.

The statement added that the strategic waterway is now under strict control of Iran’s armed forces. It warned that the situation would remain tense until the United States removes obstacles to the free movement of ships to and from Iran. Analysts cited in the report noted that Iran has been using control over this vital route as a key bargaining tool amid regional security and economic pressures.

The development underscores ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a focal point of geopolitical friction in the region.

The Iranian Navy has announced the renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping sources cited by Al Jazeera. The declaration was reportedly made through a radio message informing merchant vessels that the waterway is now closed and no ships are permitted to pass through. The announcement marks a sudden reversal, as Iran had previously declared the strait open for commercial navigation.

The abrupt decision has created significant confusion among international shipping companies, which are now waiting for clarity on the actual status of the vital maritime route. The Strait of Hormuz is a key passage for global trade, and uncertainty over its accessibility has raised concerns within the shipping community.

The situation remains unclear as companies and observers await further confirmation or updates from Iranian authorities regarding the duration and scope of the closure.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC) announced on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and any vessel attempting to pass through will be targeted. The decision reverses an earlier reopening of the vital waterway less than 24 hours prior. The IRGC said the closure will remain until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports, calling the blockade a violation of the ceasefire in the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. The statement warned that any ship approaching the strait would be considered cooperating with the enemy.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the strait is under Iran’s control and criticized the US blockade as “clumsy and ignorant.” The reversal came after Iran briefly reopened the strait in line with a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which had led to a temporary drop in global oil prices. Reports from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and India’s Ministry of External Affairs indicated that Iranian gunboats fired on two commercial ships.

US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would not be blackmailed and threatened to end the ceasefire if no deal is reached before its expiry. Analysts said the renewed closure signals a return to heightened tensions and competing blockades in the region.