Gaza’s Civil Defense agency reported that four Palestinians, including a nine-year-old child, were killed in Israeli attacks across several areas of the enclave. The incidents occurred despite a ceasefire that has been in effect since October 10. According to the agency’s spokesperson, the child, Saleh Badawi, died after being shot in Gaza City’s Zeitoun area. Two brothers were killed in a drone strike near a school in Beit Lahia, and another man, Mohsin Oda al-Dabbari, was shot dead near Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

The Israeli military confirmed that it had killed two “terrorists” in Beit Lahia, claiming they crossed the “Yellow Line” and posed a threat to soldiers. It said it was still verifying reports about the deaths of the child and another person in southern Gaza. The ceasefire was implemented more than two years after the war began in October 2023, following Hamas’s cross-border attack.

According to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry, at least 766 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began, a figure the United Nations considers reliable. The Israeli military reported five soldiers killed during the same period, though AFP said it could not independently verify the casualty numbers due to restricted media access.

An Iranian group called Explosive Media has gained global attention for its Lego-style animated videos that criticize the United States and former President Donald Trump. One of its most-watched productions, released on March 29, depicts victims of US actions worldwide, from enslaved Black Americans to those killed in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Iran Air Flight 655. The video ends with collapsing statues of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under the slogan “One Vengeance for All.” The Tehran-based group’s YouTube channel was later deleted by Google for allegedly promoting violence, a claim the creators dispute.

Explosive Media, composed of ten young Iranians aged 19 to 25, uses rap beats and symbolic colors to convey messages of resistance and justice. The group says it operates independently, though some state-affiliated media purchase its content. Analysts told Al Jazeera that such videos help Iran challenge Western-dominated narratives, using humor and cultural symbols to appeal to global audiences. The trend has spread to Pakistan, where local creators have produced similar Lego-themed videos.

Experts suggest Iran’s digital campaign aims to influence public opinion rather than achieve military success, using creative propaganda to counter US messaging online.

US President Donald Trump announced that Iran has proposed not to pursue nuclear weapons for more than 20 years. Speaking at the White House on Thursday, he said the United States and Iran were close to reaching an agreement, with the next round of talks possibly taking place on Saturday. Later in Las Vegas, Trump expressed hope that ongoing tensions could soon end.

He noted that earlier talks in Islamabad had stalled over disagreements about Iran’s nuclear program, but now the situation appeared more positive. Trump added that a potential deal could stabilize global energy markets, lower oil prices, and reduce inflation and nuclear risks. He also mentioned that it was still uncertain whether the two-week ceasefire that began on April 8 would be extended, though Tehran seemed interested in reaching an agreement.

The conflict intensified after a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28, which caused thousands of deaths and pushed oil prices above $100. Analysts believe a US-Iran deal could mark a major diplomatic success for the Trump administration and help keep the strategic Strait of Hormuz open.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon announced by US President Donald Trump. The ceasefire follows weeks of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah that began last month. The Saudi statement was released through the country’s official news agency, emphasizing support for peace efforts in Lebanon.

According to the ministry’s statement, Saudi Arabia praised the political leadership of Lebanon for its constructive role during the crisis. The statement specifically commended President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for their positive contributions toward achieving the ceasefire.

The announcement reflects Saudi Arabia’s endorsement of diplomatic efforts to stabilize Lebanon after the recent escalation of violence. The ministry’s remarks align with broader regional calls for de-escalation and political dialogue.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer jointly chaired a meeting on Friday to discuss forming a multinational force to secure the Strait of Hormuz after the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel ends. The video conference, held at noon GMT, included nearly 30 European leaders and several others from outside the region. According to the Élysée Palace, the mission would ensure freedom of navigation and protect commercial shipping once conditions allow.

The discussions followed Iran’s blockade of the vital waterway after the U.S. and Israel launched military action against Tehran on February 28, which sharply increased global oil prices. Although a fragile ceasefire is in place, the U.S. continues to enforce its own blockade on Iranian ports. European leaders fear prolonged restrictions could worsen inflation, food shortages, and fuel disruptions. France’s foreign minister warned that the blockade is severely affecting the global economy and French citizens’ daily lives.

Officials said the proposed mission would only deploy after the war ends. Macron and Starmer are also leading efforts to form a European force to support Ukraine once its conflict with Russia concludes.

French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin has said that European countries including Belgium, the Netherlands, and France possess mine-clearing capabilities that could help secure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with TF1 television, she stated that European nations are capable of escorting ships passing through this strategic waterway. She added that the issue would be raised at a meeting scheduled in Paris on Friday, aimed at demonstrating that U.S. allies are prepared to support free maritime movement through the strait.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime routes, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies are transported. The French minister’s remarks highlight ongoing international attention to maintaining security and freedom of navigation in this vital corridor.

The Paris meeting is expected to focus on coordination among allied nations to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels, reflecting broader efforts to safeguard global energy supply lines.

US President Donald Trump announced that Washington is close to reaching a significant agreement with Iran aimed at easing ongoing tensions. Speaking at an economic meeting in Las Vegas, he said Iran has agreed to hand over its enriched uranium, one of the main obstacles in the negotiations. Trump added that new talks could begin by the end of the week and described the situation as progressing very well, expressing hope that the conflict would soon end.

Earlier at the White House, Trump stated that Iran had agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons and to transfer its enriched uranium, reportedly stored underground after US and Israeli airstrikes. However, Iran has not yet issued any official response to Trump’s claims.

Trump also suggested that the current ceasefire with Iran might not need to be extended, with only five days remaining before it expires.

Russia carried out one of its deadliest attacks of the year on Ukraine early Thursday, striking multiple cities including Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Kharkiv. Officials reported at least 17 deaths, including a 12-year-old child, and dozens of injuries. In Kyiv, four people were killed when a drone hit an 18-story residential building, while fires and heavy smoke spread across the city. In Odesa, eight people were killed and 26 injured as a residential building and key infrastructure were damaged.

Dnipro faced repeated strikes from Wednesday evening into the night, leaving four dead and about 30 injured, with another fatality reported in a separate attack. Two people were injured in Kharkiv following drone strikes. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said rescue operations were ongoing and the death toll could rise.

Moscow claimed its attacks targeted Ukrainian power facilities, cruise missile sites, and drone production centers. Ukraine said it retaliated by striking Russian-occupied Crimea and infrastructure in Tuapse, where Russian media reported two deaths and seven injuries in a drone attack that caused a major fire.

Syria announced on Thursday that it has taken full control of all military sites previously used by US forces, marking the completion of a coordinated handover following the departure of the final US convoy from Qasrak air base in Hasakah. The move ends a US military presence that began in 2014 during the campaign against ISIL. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with senior Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) leaders Mazloum Abdi and Ilham Ahmad in Damascus to mark the transition, alongside senior government officials overseeing the integration of Kurdish-led fighters into national structures.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the handover reflected efforts to restore unified state authority across the country, including areas long outside Damascus’s control. It added that the process was conducted in full coordination with the United States, citing a constructive relationship that has developed since al-Sharaa’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in November. US Central Command confirmed that all major bases had been turned over as part of a deliberate, conditions-based transition.

The transfer follows a January deal between Damascus and the SDF that brought Kurdish fighters into the Syrian national army and restored government control over key cities and border areas.

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran as part of Islamabad’s ongoing efforts to help turn the current ceasefire between Iran and the United States into lasting peace. The meeting took place during Munir’s official visit to Iran, accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other senior officials. The delegation arrived in Tehran on Wednesday and was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

During the visit, Munir also held separate meetings with Foreign Minister Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and advancing mutual interests, with particular emphasis on regional security and cooperation.

Ahead of the Pakistani delegation’s arrival, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that Tehran would convey a message from the United States, indicating diplomatic engagement around the ceasefire and regional stability.

Four cargo ships linked to Iran have crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite a recently enforced US blockade. According to BBC reports citing tracking data on Friday, three of the vessels sailed under the Iranian flag while the fourth was registered in Comoros. The ships departed from Iranian ports earlier in the week and were observed moving toward destinations including India, Pakistan, and China.

Marine Traffic data showed that the ships—Azargoun, Ashkan3, Shabdis, and Tava 4—left ports such as Shahid Rajaee, Chabahar, and Imam Khomeini after the sanctions took effect on Monday. Their reported positions placed them near Indian and Pakistani coasts, with some heading toward Kandla, Karachi, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port. Analysts noted that the findings were based on self-reported tracking data.

The report also cautioned that some vessels may disable or falsify their tracking signals, a practice known as “spoofing,” which can obscure their true locations and routes.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon, describing it as part of the main Iran-US agreement mediated by Pakistan. He reiterated that Iran has consistently emphasized the need for a simultaneous ceasefire across the entire region, including Lebanon, and expressed solidarity with the Lebanese people and government.

Baghaei urged displaced Lebanese residents to return to their homes following the ceasefire and stressed the necessity of a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. However, Israel has refused to withdraw its troops. Less than an hour after the ceasefire officially took effect, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported continued Israeli shelling in the southern towns of Khiam and Dibbin.

The developments highlight ongoing tensions despite the ceasefire, with Iran supporting regional calm and Israel accused of violating the truce shortly after its implementation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the ceasefire in Lebanon as a historic opportunity for peace, while rejecting calls to withdraw Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. He stated that Israeli troops remain positioned in an expanded security zone to prevent attacks and cross-border shelling into Israel.

Netanyahu emphasized that his main objective is the elimination of Hezbollah, reiterating earlier intentions to maintain control up to Lebanon’s Litani River. In contrast, Lebanon has demanded a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and the return of displaced residents to their homes.

The report, citing The Guardian, highlights the ongoing tension between Israel’s security stance and Lebanon’s sovereignty demands, suggesting that despite the ceasefire, core disputes over territory and security remain unresolved.

Political analyst Abed Abu Shehade told Al Jazeera that news of a 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon has generated mixed reactions among Israelis. Many citizens reportedly feel disappointed, believing that a full military victory had been promised but not achieved. According to Shehade, Israelis were surprised that Hezbollah managed to maintain its military capabilities until the end of the conflict.

He added that the ceasefire has deepened public distrust toward the Israeli government, as some citizens feel they were not fully informed about the situation. Shehade also noted that Iran and Pakistan had earlier stated that Lebanon was included in the ceasefire, a claim initially denied by Israel and the United States. Later, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly informed the Israeli public about the ceasefire agreement.

The report highlights growing skepticism within Israel regarding the government’s handling of the conflict and communication with the public.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the ongoing war with Iran will end very soon, describing the conflict as progressing 'very well.' Speaking at an event in Las Vegas, Nevada, Trump said the United States is 'very close' to reaching an agreement with Iran. According to him, Tehran has agreed to hand over enriched uranium and has accepted 'almost everything' in the negotiations.

Trump also mentioned that he held 'excellent' discussions with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He stated that both leaders agreed on a ceasefire aimed at achieving peace. His remarks suggest a coordinated diplomatic effort involving multiple regional actors.

The statements indicate that Washington is pursuing both military and diplomatic channels to conclude the conflict with Iran and stabilize the broader Middle East situation, though no specific timeline or agreement details were disclosed.