In Gaza, displaced families living in makeshift tents near piles of rubble are facing a new fear—an invasion of large rats. Samah al-Dabla, who lives with her two young children in a temporary tent, said the rodents have become increasingly aggressive despite her efforts to keep the area clean. She believes the rats have grown more violent after feeding on bodies trapped under the debris.

According to the report, more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza. The presence of decomposing bodies beneath the ruins has intensified the rat infestation and heightened the risk of disease outbreaks in Gaza City. Thousands of displaced families like Samah’s are now struggling with this additional health hazard alongside the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The growing infestation underscores the severe public health challenges emerging from the prolonged destruction and lack of sanitation in Gaza’s war-torn areas.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have sharply escalated despite U.S. President Donald Trump extending the ceasefire period. Tehran has blamed Washington’s naval blockade for halting peace negotiations, while the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) detained two foreign ships and fired on a third in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s parliament speaker declared that the strait cannot be reopened as long as the blockade remains, calling it a clear violation of the ceasefire.

The White House stated that President Trump has not set a deadline for Iran to submit a peace proposal. Meanwhile, discussions in Washington over the fragile truce between Lebanon and Israel have faced difficulties due to Hezbollah’s absence. Within the U.S., Defense Secretary John Phelan was dismissed and replaced temporarily by Hong Kao, while a Senate motion to limit Trump’s war powers against Iran failed by a 55–46 vote.

The U.S. Central Command reported turning back at least 31 ships as part of the blockade, which Washington says aims to pressure Iran economically into negotiations. Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and northern Gaza have also resulted in multiple civilian deaths, including journalists and children.

Bangladesh has dispatched emergency medicines and medical supplies to war-torn Iran following a directive from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The assistance materials have already been handed over in Dhaka to Iranian Ambassador Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 23, 2026. The aid is being sent through the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.

The ministry’s statement added that the Prime Minister had earlier donated 10 million taka to the Red Crescent Society on April 6 to purchase emergency medicines and medical equipment for the treatment of injured civilians in Iran. The initiative reflects Bangladesh’s humanitarian support amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The aid delivery marks a continuation of Bangladesh’s engagement in international humanitarian efforts, with the Red Crescent Society serving as the implementing agency for the relief operation.

The South Korean Air Force has issued an apology for a 2021 midair collision between two F-15K fighter jets near Daegu. According to a report released Wednesday by the national audit and inspection board, the crash occurred after a pilot attempted to take selfies and record videos during flight. The Air Force spokesperson expressed regret for the incident and confirmed that one of the involved pilots was temporarily suspended from flight duties, faced disciplinary action, and later left the military.

Investigators found that the wingman pilot tried to commemorate his final flight with the unit by taking photos. To improve the camera angle, he tilted and raised the aircraft without authorization, while another pilot filmed from the lead jet. As the planes drew too close, both pilots attempted to avoid collision, but the wingman’s tail struck the lead jet’s wing. No injuries were reported.

The Air Force stated it is tightening flight safety regulations and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States now has full control over the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement on April 23, 2026, he said the vital waterway would remain tightly sealed until Iran agrees to a deal. Trump emphasized that the blockade would not be lifted until Tehran reaches an understanding or agreement with Washington.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important routes for oil transportation. The US Navy’s firm stance in the area has raised concerns about potential disruptions to global trade. However, the Trump administration stated that the move aims to ensure the security of this strategic maritime passage. Earlier, Trump had also warned of strong action against those attempting to plant mines in the strait.

The situation underscores rising tensions in the region, with possible implications for international energy markets and diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran.

UK Defence Minister John Healey and French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin have expressed optimism about significant progress toward reopening the Hormuz Strait. The two ministers made the remarks on Thursday after a meeting with their countries’ military planners. In a joint statement released by the UK Ministry of Defence, they emphasized the need for concrete planning, open dialogue, and firm commitment among allies and partners to turn diplomatic efforts into reality.

The statement also expressed gratitude to countries that have already shown willingness to contribute to the process and voiced confidence that real progress could be achieved in reopening the strait. The Hormuz Strait, one of the world’s most vital maritime routes, has been paralyzed due to U.S. blockades and rising tensions. Against this backdrop, the joint initiative by the UK and France has drawn notable international attention.

The report adds that while former U.S. President Donald Trump previously claimed full American control over the strait, the two European nations are pursuing diplomatic and military discussions to resolve the current deadlock.

US President Donald Trump has ordered the US Navy to destroy any boats or small vessels found laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The directive was issued on Thursday through a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, where Trump instructed naval forces to act without hesitation. He also stated that US mine-sweeping operations in the area would be tripled to ensure maritime safety.

Following Trump’s announcement, tensions in the region have sharply escalated. The US Department of Defense said it remains committed to maintaining safe navigation in international waters and preventing illegal activities by Iran. A recent Pentagon assessment indicated that fully clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz could take about six months.

Experts cited in the report warned that the situation could drive global oil prices higher as uncertainty grows over maritime security in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.

The Israeli military has claimed that it captured a fighter from Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force in southern Lebanon. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the detained fighter had been planning an attack against Israeli forces. The IDF said he surrendered shortly after being identified and was transferred to an Israeli military intelligence unit for questioning.

Al Jazeera reported that it could not independently verify Israel’s claim. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said that Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon killed five people, including a journalist. The NNA reported that the first strike hit a car in the village of At-Tiri, killing two people inside a house nearby.

The developments highlight ongoing hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border, with both sides reporting casualties and military actions in recent days.

Iran has executed a man convicted of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, according to the state-affiliated news outlet Mizan on Thursday. The individual, identified as Sultanali Shirzadi Fakhr, was accused of being a longtime member of the exiled opposition group Mujahedin-e-Khalq and of assisting Israeli intelligence agents. The report stated that Iran’s Supreme Court upheld his death sentence, which was carried out after the completion of legal procedures.

The execution came a day after Iran carried out the death sentence of another individual, identified as Mehdi Farid, a senior civilian defense official convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad. Mizan, citing Reuters, reported that the Supreme Court had also confirmed his sentence before the execution took place.

Both executions were reported by Iranian media and cited by The Guardian, highlighting Tehran’s continued enforcement of espionage-related convictions involving alleged ties to Israel.

Lebanon and Israel are set to resume talks in Washington on Thursday aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between the two countries. This marks the second round of discussions following an earlier meeting that resulted in a temporary 10-day ceasefire beginning on April 16.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that the ambassador-level talks will focus on ending Israeli aggression, withdrawing Israeli troops from Lebanese territory, releasing prisoners, deploying forces along the international border, and beginning reconstruction of war-damaged infrastructure. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have reportedly continued.

The renewed dialogue in Washington reflects ongoing international efforts to stabilize the region and move toward a more durable peace framework, though continued hostilities pose challenges to achieving lasting results.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has described Israel’s attack on journalists as a clear war crime following the death of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil. He strongly condemned the Israeli strikes targeting journalists in southern Lebanon, particularly after Khalil was killed in an airstrike in the village of At-Tiri on Wednesday.

Salam stated that deliberately targeting journalists, preventing rescue teams from reaching them, and striking the same site again after rescuers arrive constitute a clear war crime. He added that such attacks on journalists performing their professional duties are no longer isolated incidents in the region but have become a systematic practice that violates international law and norms.

The incident occurred when an Israeli airstrike destroyed a building in At-Tiri, trapping Khalil under the rubble. She was later recovered dead, according to reports cited by Middle East Eye.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the consequences of the ongoing Iran war are spreading into Europe and could worsen if peace is not achieved. He made the remarks during a telephone conversation with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, according to a report published on April 23, 2026.

Erdogan stated that the conflict in the region is beginning to weaken Europe and emphasized that the damage caused by the war could increase further without peace. He added that Turkey is working to end the Iran conflict through dialogue and to achieve a lasting peace.

The discussion between the Turkish and German presidents highlights Ankara’s diplomatic engagement amid regional instability, as Turkey seeks to position itself as a mediator in the Iran conflict.

Israeli media reported that the United States has informed Israel the ceasefire with Iran will expire on Sunday. According to Israel’s state broadcaster Kan, Washington told Tel Aviv that the deadline set by President Donald Trump for Tehran is nearing its end within a few days. The report added that Trump seeks to reach an agreement with Tehran rather than prolonging indefinite negotiations.

Israeli sources cited in the reports indicated that progress in the ongoing US-Iran discussions is unlikely this week. Earlier, White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt stated that President Trump had not set any specific deadline for receiving proposals from Iran. The information was originally reported by Middle East Eye and later circulated through Israeli outlets.

The approaching end of the ceasefire raises uncertainty about the next phase of US-Iran relations and potential regional tensions if no agreement is reached before the deadline.

Iran has strengthened its control over the Strait of Hormuz as uncertainty persists over ending the ongoing war and no signs of renewed peace talks have emerged. Tehran has seized two ships in the strategic waterway, according to reports. The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a unilateral ceasefire extension, saying it would remain in effect until discussions on an Iranian peace proposal take place.

Iranian officials have not confirmed whether they agreed to extend the ceasefire and criticized the U.S. decision to maintain a naval blockade on Iranian trade routes, calling it a wartime measure. Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that a full ceasefire would only be meaningful if the blockade were lifted. The war, which began on February 28 with a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, has seen little progress toward resolution.

Maritime sources said a third Liberian-flagged container ship was fired upon but not damaged. The U.S. military reported redirecting over 30 ships as part of the blockade and detaining at least three Iranian tankers near Asian waters.

The United States military has detained at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in Asian waters, redirecting them from positions near India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. The information was reported by Reuters on Wednesday, citing maritime and security sources. The seizures come as Washington continues to enforce sanctions on Iran’s maritime trade.

The report notes that Iran has fired on vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. Despite a declared ceasefire nearly two months after the outbreak of conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, there are no visible signs of renewed peace talks. The closure of the strait has disrupted one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies, triggering a worldwide energy crisis.

In recent days, US forces have also seized an Iranian cargo ship and an oil tanker, while Iran claimed to have captured three vessels attempting to leave the Persian Gulf. The US Central Command has not yet commented on the latest tanker detentions.