Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to unleash Gaza-style destruction on Beirut’s southern suburbs, warning that the area could face devastation similar to that seen in Gaza. The statement came after Israel’s military ordered residents of the entire area to evacuate. Smotrich, a far-right member of Israel’s government, made the remarks during a video statement while visiting Israel’s northern border.

He referred to the extensive damage in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza, saying that Beirut’s Dahieh district would soon resemble it. Smotrich accused Hezbollah of making a grave mistake and vowed that the group would pay a heavy price. He also claimed that Israel was striking at Iran’s leadership while simultaneously targeting Hezbollah. The comments were reported by Al Jazeera.

The warning marks an escalation in rhetoric amid heightened regional tensions, as Israel signals readiness to expand its military operations beyond Gaza if provoked.

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Interior has issued a nationwide emergency alert, warning residents of a possible missile attack. According to the report, the government urged people to immediately take shelter in the nearest safe buildings and to stay away from windows, doors, and open areas. The alert was issued late on March 5, 2026.

The warning came about an hour after the UAE Ministry of Defense announced that it would respond to missile and drone attacks originating from Iran. Earlier, the UAE confirmed that it had intercepted six missiles and 131 drones launched from Iran, though one missile and six drones had struck its territory.

Authorities have not provided further details on potential damages or casualties. The emergency alert indicates heightened security measures across the country as officials monitor the situation closely.

The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for killing a Hamas commander named Wasim Attallah Ali in an attack in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli. According to a statement posted on Telegram, Israeli naval forces carried out the operation that resulted in Attallah’s death. The military described him as a trainer of Hamas fighters.

The report stated that Hamas has not yet issued any immediate response to Israel’s claim. The incident adds to ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, with recent developments in the region drawing international attention. The killing took place amid heightened regional instability and continued hostilities involving multiple fronts.

Further details about the operation, including the exact timing and circumstances of the attack, were not provided in the available statement.

Azerbaijan has temporarily closed part of its southern airspace after alleging that four Iranian drones crossed its border. According to an official notice issued by Azerbaijani authorities, the closure will last for 12 hours. The decision follows rising tensions between the two neighboring countries over drone-related incidents.

Earlier, Azerbaijan had accused Iran of carrying out drone attacks in the Nakhchivan region, a claim that Tehran has denied. In response, Iran blamed Israel for the alleged strikes, rejecting any involvement in the incident. The exchange of accusations has added to the already strained relations between Baku and Tehran.

The temporary airspace closure indicates heightened security concerns along the Azerbaijan-Iran border, though it remains unclear whether further restrictions or diplomatic measures will follow.

An oil tanker named Skylight, sailing under the flag of Palau, was attacked near the Musandam Peninsula in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the deaths of two Indian nationals. The victims were identified as Captain Ashish Kumar from Bihar and crew member Dalip Singh from Rajasthan. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in the region. The tanker had departed on February 22 and came under attack off the coast of Oman.

According to a statement from Oman’s Maritime Security Center, the Palau-flagged oil tanker was targeted about five nautical miles north of Khasab port in Musandam Governorate. The vessel carried 20 crew members, including 15 Indians and 5 Iranians, all of whom were rescued. Official reports confirmed that the bodies of the two deceased were recovered, with Captain Kumar’s remains found in his cabin.

The statement did not specify the nature of the attack. The incident follows a recent drone strike near Oman’s Duqm port, further highlighting instability in the area.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has accused the United States and Israel of intentionally targeting civilian areas during ongoing hostilities. In a post on X, Baghaei claimed that Iranian civilians were being killed because aggressors were deliberately striking locations where they believed the highest casualties and suffering could occur.

The accusation follows a deadly attack on an Iranian girls’ school last Saturday that killed more than 160 people. When asked about the incident, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States was investigating the matter but maintained that the US never targets civilian sites. Baghaei further stated that the aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran was not confined to the battlefield.

He added that the conflict’s impact had spread to global markets, raising fuel prices, destabilizing currencies, and eroding purchasing power worldwide, while the cost for Iranians remained far greater.

Iran has denied allegations that it carried out a drone attack targeting Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan region. According to Al Jazeera, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that Iran has never launched any attack against Azerbaijan. His remarks were published by Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

Earlier, Azerbaijan claimed that two Iranian drones struck its Nakhchivan region, damaging an airport building. In response, Gharibabadi emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not target neighboring countries. He added that Iran’s policy is to strike only military bases belonging to its enemies, particularly the United States and Israel, and only when those bases are used to launch attacks against Iran.

The exchange of claims highlights ongoing regional sensitivities between Iran and Azerbaijan, though no further official reactions were reported in the source.

The European Union has reported that Middle Eastern countries are expressing concern over a potential civil war in Iran. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday, March 5, that tensions involving the United States and Israel have raised fears of internal conflict in Iran. Regional nations are reportedly worried about Iran’s current situation and its leadership amid the escalating crisis.

Kallas emphasized that the European Union supports diplomatic solutions, stating that wars ultimately end through diplomacy. She stressed the need to create space for diplomatic engagement to break the ongoing cycle of tension. The EU also voiced deep concern over maritime security in the Middle East, particularly efforts to keep the strategic Strait of Hormuz open.

The report added that the regional conflict has sparked a dispute between the United States and Spain. Washington accused Madrid of denying access to a joint naval and air base, while Spain criticized U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in Iran as reckless and illegal. The EU expressed hope that the United States would honor last year’s trade agreement applicable to all EU member states.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported that 77 people have been killed and 527 injured in Israeli attacks that have continued since Monday. The strikes, ongoing for four days, have caused significant casualties across multiple areas. According to Al Jazeera, at least eight people were killed on Thursday alone, including four members of one family.

The escalation marks a severe rise in violence between Israel and Lebanon, with civilian areas reportedly affected. The Lebanese health ministry’s figures highlight the growing humanitarian toll as the conflict continues. Media reports indicate that the attacks have persisted daily since the start of the week.

Further developments remain uncertain as the situation continues to evolve, with no immediate indication of de-escalation or ceasefire efforts mentioned in the available reports.

Six people were injured in Abu Dhabi when debris from a downed drone fell in the ICAD-2 district, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office. The incident occurred as Iran launched retaliatory actions following joint strikes by US and Israeli forces. Emergency teams quickly reached the affected sites and brought the situation under control.

Authorities confirmed that the injured individuals were citizens of Pakistan and Nepal, sustaining minor to moderate injuries. They received necessary medical treatment, and officials stated that the situation is being closely monitored.

The event comes amid heightened regional tensions linked to Iran’s response to recent attacks, with reports of widespread damage and casualties in multiple areas.

Several European countries are sending naval equipment to Cyprus following a recent drone attack that raised security concerns. According to Al Jazeera, Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told parliament that Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands will deploy various naval assets to the island within the next few days to strengthen its security. Spain’s Defense Ministry confirmed that Madrid will send a frigate as part of the coordinated effort.

The move follows Monday’s incident in which a British airbase in Cyprus was targeted by an Iran-made drone, prompting heightened alert across the region. In response, Greece and France also announced plans to send military resources to the island. The coordinated deployments reflect growing European concern over regional stability and the safety of strategic installations in Cyprus.

The increased military presence is aimed at deterring further attacks and ensuring the protection of European and allied interests in the eastern Mediterranean.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency, citing the Revolutionary Guard, reported that any U.S., European, or Israeli ships appearing in the Strait of Hormuz would be targeted. The Guard asserted that during wartime, navigation through the strategic waterway would remain under Iran’s control.

A deputy chief of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters, responsible for major military operations and strategic coordination, stated that Iran has not closed the strait and continues to act in accordance with international protocols. He emphasized that Iran is prepared to continue the conflict for as long as necessary to achieve its declared objectives.

The Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters also warned that what it described as ongoing “U.S. deception” could lead to the collapse of the region’s military and economic infrastructure if it persists.

Qatar’s authorities have issued a “high” emergency alert for residents after multiple explosions were heard in the capital, Doha, according to Al Jazeera. An AFP reporter based in Doha confirmed hearing the blasts on Wednesday. Earlier, the Qatari government announced that residents near the U.S. Embassy in Doha would be relocated as part of precautionary measures.

The alert follows a series of escalating incidents across the Middle East. After a joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran last Saturday, Iran reportedly targeted American facilities in several regional locations. This week, U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, as well as the U.S. consulate in Dubai, have come under attack.

The situation has heightened regional security concerns, with Gulf nations closely monitoring developments as tensions between Iran and Western allies continue to rise.

Russia has accused the United States and Israel of deliberately pushing Arab countries toward war. According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, Washington and Tel Aviv have created conditions that could compel Iran to retaliate against certain Arab states. The ministry expressed deep regret over the resulting loss of life and property damage.

The statement further alleged that the US and Israel are attempting to involve Arab nations in conflict for the benefit of others. Russia emphasized that halting attacks on Iran is the only way to prevent further destabilization in the region. However, the ministry noted that there are currently no signs of the conflict easing.

The report also referenced related developments, including Iran’s denial of attacks on Azerbaijan and concerns from Gulf countries and the European Union about potential civil unrest in Iran, alongside market reactions in South Korea.

Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff has denied reports that a missile was fired toward Turkey. The denial came after Turkey announced that a missile approaching its airspace had been intercepted by NATO’s defense system on Wednesday. According to Iran’s Mehr News Agency, the military stated that the Islamic Republic respects Turkey’s sovereignty and rejected claims of launching any missile toward its territory.

Turkey’s defense ministry said the projectile had flown over Iraq and Syria before nearing Turkish airspace, but no casualties occurred after it was intercepted. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey is consulting with NATO allies and taking all necessary precautionary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The exchange occurred as regional hostilities intensified, with Iran launching missiles toward Israel the previous night amid ongoing airstrikes across the Middle East. Israeli and U.S. forces had recently increased bombardments on Iranian targets, while explosions were also reported in Tehran and casualties rose in Lebanon due to Israeli air raids.