Israel is reportedly preparing to launch an attack on Iran’s ballistic missile system, pending a possible green light from the United States. The report, citing Israel’s state broadcaster Kan and Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, emerged on Wednesday night amid heightened discussions over whether U.S. President Donald Trump will authorize a strike on Iran.

According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, security assessments over the past 24 hours suggest that the likelihood of a U.S. attack on Iran has increased following recent talks between Washington and Tehran. Meanwhile, President Trump has held a meeting with U.S. security officials to discuss preparations for a potential strike, which could take place by Saturday.

The developments indicate growing military tension in the region as both Israel and the United States evaluate their next steps regarding Iran’s missile capabilities.

A high-level Turkish delegation led by Necmettin Bilal Erdogan, son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, arrived in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday for a one-day visit to observe the current situation of Rohingya refugees who fled from Myanmar. The 11-member team includes former German World Cup-winning footballer Mesut Ozil. They were received at Cox’s Bazar airport by local officials before visiting the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner’s office and meeting with government representatives and Turkish aid organizations working in the camps.

During a brief press briefing, Bilal Erdogan emphasized the need for continued international efforts to ensure the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingya people to their homeland. He noted that Turkey has been actively involved in humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the 2017 Rohingya crisis and expressed gratitude to the government and people of Bangladesh for their support.

The delegation later visited the Balukhali Camp No. 9 in Ukhiya, inspected Turkish-run facilities, and planned to join a charity football match and iftar with Rohingya refugees before returning to Dhaka at night.

A new study published in The Lancet Global Health has confirmed that more than 75,000 people were killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli attacks. The report, titled “Gaza Mortality Survey,” found that between October 7, 2023, and January 5, 2025, a total of 75,200 violent deaths occurred, representing about 3.4 percent of Gaza’s pre-war population of 2.2 million. The findings indicate that the death toll has exceeded earlier official statistics.

The study also supports the Gaza Health Ministry’s data, suggesting that its figures were not exaggerated. As of February 16, the ministry reported at least 72,063 deaths since the war began, including 603 deaths after a ceasefire was declared on October 10, 2025. Israel has repeatedly questioned the ministry’s numbers, but an Israeli military officer reportedly acknowledged in January that around 70,000 people had been killed during the conflict.

The Lancet’s confirmation of the scale of casualties underscores the devastating human cost of the prolonged conflict and may influence future assessments of humanitarian and reconstruction needs in Gaza.

Israel has announced that 10,000 Palestinian worshippers will be permitted to attend Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan. The announcement came on Wednesday, February 18, following the start of Ramadan, according to Arab News. The approval applies specifically to weekly Friday prayers at the site.

The Israeli defense ministry’s agency for civilian affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, COGAT, stated that entry will be allowed only under certain restrictions. Men aged 55 and above, women aged 50 and above, and children up to 12 years old accompanied by a first-degree relative will be eligible. Each worshipper must also obtain a separate permit for every Friday throughout Ramadan.

Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, is located in East Jerusalem, a territory occupied and annexed by Israel in 1967, a move not recognized internationally. Normally, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians attend prayers there during Ramadan.

At least eight skiers were killed in a massive avalanche in California’s Lake Tahoe backcountry, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The avalanche struck the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, around 11:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday. Six people were rescued alive, while one person remains missing and is presumed dead. The avalanche was described by witnesses as roughly the size of a football field.

Following a 911 call received at 11:30 a.m., the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office launched a search and rescue operation. The sheriff’s department, its search and rescue team, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection jointly conducted the operation in the affected area. Officials said the search continued in the Castle Peak zone immediately after the avalanche.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or the cause of the avalanche. Search efforts are ongoing for the missing skier.

Jesse Louis Jackson, a prominent leader of the United States civil rights movement, has died at the age of 84. He passed away on Tuesday in the presence of his family, according to a family statement. Jackson had been hospitalized for several months due to a neurological illness. He was a close disciple of Martin Luther King Jr. and played a major role in advancing civil rights and social justice causes across the country.

More than 40 years ago, Jackson urged the Democratic Party to broaden its moral outlook to include minorities, Arab Americans, and Palestinians who had long faced marginalization. Throughout his career, he consistently spoke for the oppressed, notably highlighting the plight of Palestinians and advocating for the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States. In 2024, his organization, the Rainbow-PUSH Coalition, convened an emergency summit calling for an end to Israel’s assault on Gaza and a ceasefire.

Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute, said Jackson paved the way for Arab American political empowerment and remained steadfast in supporting Palestinians despite pressure to sever ties with Arab Americans.

Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace to Indian-registered aircraft for another month, according to a new notice issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). The restriction, which has been in place for nearly ten months, will now remain effective until March 23, 2026. During this period, all Indian military and civilian aircraft are prohibited from flying through Pakistani airspace.

The airspace ban was first imposed on April 23, 2025, following escalating tensions between the two countries after a deadly attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. In response to the incident, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, prompting Pakistan to retaliate by closing its airspace to Indian airlines.

Subsequent military confrontations in early May saw both nations launch strikes against each other, culminating in a ceasefire agreement on May 10 after 87 hours of conflict. The extension of the airspace closure underscores the continuing strain in India-Pakistan relations despite the earlier ceasefire.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi has warned that time is running out for the United States and Iran to reach an agreement. In an interview with a French television channel, Grossi said that although dialogue has begun, the discussions have become extremely complex. He noted that for the first time there appears to be a real possibility of reaching a compromise, with both sides starting to discuss specific issues.

The report states that Tehran has suspended several forms of cooperation with the IAEA. Following attacks by Israel and the United States last June, Iran blocked the agency’s access to its nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, alongside ongoing talks, US President Donald Trump met with national security officials to discuss potential military action against Iran. The meeting, held on Wednesday, February 18, reportedly focused on preparations for a possible strike by Saturday, February 21.

According to a CBS report citing an unnamed official, US security officials indicated readiness to carry out an attack before the end of the week, though the president has not yet made a final decision.

Bangladesh has joined India and 70 other countries in a large-scale international naval exercise hosted by India. The Bangladesh Navy sent its frigate warship ‘Somudra Avijan’, which arrived in India on 16 February. Other participating nations include Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The Indonesian Navy’s frigate KRI Bung Tomo-357, the UAE’s warship Al Emarat, and India’s INS Vikrant also took part in the exercise.

Before the exercise began, Indian President Droupadi Murmu stated that the event symbolizes the trust, unity, and respect of various nations toward maritime heritage. She emphasized that ships flying different flags and sailors from diverse countries reflect a spirit of unity. The theme of the exercise is “maritime unity,” and Murmu said the combined naval forces’ determination can overcome all obstacles, sending a positive message to the global community.

The exercise highlights growing multilateral cooperation in maritime security and shared commitment among participating nations to strengthen regional and global naval ties.

The United States has decided to withdraw all its remaining troops from Syria within the next two months, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to CBS News. Around 1,000 American soldiers currently stationed across several bases in Syria will be brought home, marking the end of nearly a decade of U.S. military presence in the country. Earlier this year, U.S. forces had already withdrawn from the Al Tanf garrison in southern Syria and the Al Shaddadi base in the northeast.

The U.S. established multiple military bases in Syria about a decade ago during the rise of ISIS, deploying around 2,000 troops in 2014 to support efforts against the militant group. A senior Pentagon official told The Wall Street Journal that while ISIS remains a global threat, its strength in Syria has diminished and the country now has a more stable government. He added that some troops have already been withdrawn and certain bases handed over to the Syrian government.

The official emphasized that U.S. forces remain ready to respond to any future ISIS threats in the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the country’s Home Front Command and various rescue agencies to prepare for a possible war with Iran. Israeli media reported on February 18 that maximum alert has been declared across security agencies. A planned security cabinet meeting on February 19 was postponed to February 22 without explanation.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel believes U.S. President Donald Trump may soon launch a large-scale military operation against Iran after Tehran rejected Washington’s negotiation demands. Israeli intelligence assessments suggest that if the U.S. attacks, Iran could retaliate by firing missiles at Israel, regardless of whether Israel participates directly. Former military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin said Israel is now closer to a potential strike than ever before.

Reports from Israel Hayom and CNN Arabic indicate that Israel’s military has been placed on high alert as coordination with the U.S. intensifies. Washington has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group near Iran, with the USS Gerald R. Ford en route and additional fighter jets being positioned. Meanwhile, U.S. and Iranian officials described recent Geneva talks as constructive but unresolved.

US President Donald Trump has held a meeting with national security officials to discuss preparations for a possible military strike on Iran. The meeting took place on Wednesday, February 18, and focused on readiness to carry out an attack by Saturday, February 21. According to a CBS report citing an unnamed official, security officials indicated they could be ready to act before the end of the week, though the president has not yet made a final decision.

The official described the discussions as fluid and ongoing, noting that the White House is analyzing potential Iranian responses and the broader impact on the Middle East. Multiple sources said some US troops are being temporarily relocated from the Middle East to Europe or the United States to ensure their safety if a strike is ordered.

Another source cautioned that troop movements do not necessarily indicate an imminent attack, explaining that the US often repositions forces to secure personnel before any potential military action.

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the United States in Geneva, ended abruptly on Wednesday without any tangible progress. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the discussions as difficult and accused Russia of deliberately prolonging the process. He claimed on social media that Moscow was using tactics to delay reaching a final peace agreement. According to Russian state media, the meeting concluded shortly after Zelensky’s remarks. Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said another round of talks would be held soon, though no date was set.

The talks reportedly lasted about two hours, while some Russian sources described them as highly tense and lasting up to six hours in multiple formats. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said the dialogue brought meaningful progress toward ending the war, and both sides agreed to continue discussions. However, Russia maintained its demand for Ukrainian troop withdrawal from parts of eastern Ukraine, which Kyiv rejected outright.

Separately, Zelensky announced sanctions against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, accusing him of aiding in the killing of Ukrainians. Russian official Nikolai Patrushev warned that Moscow could deploy its navy if Western nations attempted to seize Russian oil tankers under sanctions.

Iran and Russia are set to conduct a joint naval exercise on Thursday in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean, according to Iranian Navy Commander Captain Hassan Maqsoodlou, as reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA. The exercise aims to expand maritime cooperation and strengthen coordination in planning and executing combined operations between the two nations’ navies.

IRNA noted that the drill highlights the importance of monitoring regional conditions in the Gulf of Oman and northern Indian Ocean. It also reflects both countries’ commitment to enhancing maritime collaboration, opposing unilateral actions, and ensuring the security of regional maritime trade. Russian Navy Commander Captain Alexei Sergeyev stated that Russia is ready to hold joint exercises in any region.

The announcement comes as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps began a separate military drill in the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the week, amid heightened tensions with the United States. The exercise coincided with indirect nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington in Geneva, mediated by Oman.

At least 12 people were killed in an explosion at a fireworks shop in Xiangyang city, located in central China’s Hubei province, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and brought the fire under control. The exact cause of the explosion remains unknown, and investigators are currently examining the incident.

The blast occurred during the Lunar New Year period, when fireworks are widely used across China. However, their use frequently leads to accidents. This was the second major fireworks-related explosion reported in the same week. On Sunday, a similar incident in Jiangsu province killed eight people and injured two others after a resident ignited fireworks near a shop.

China’s Ministry of Emergency Management issued a statement on Tuesday warning that fireworks remain a major safety risk during the Spring Festival and urged authorities to strengthen safety measures to protect the public.