Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under growing pressure over Israel’s ongoing offensive in Lebanon, according to multiple reports. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Netanyahu to halt attacks on Beirut and engage in dialogue with the Lebanese government. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s leadership, feeling cornered, agreed to speak directly with an Israeli representative despite the continuing assault, seeking to avoid Iranian mediation in ceasefire talks.

Initial meetings between the two sides are unlikely to yield major progress, as their positions remain far apart, particularly regarding whether to continue discussions amid active hostilities. The situation reflects deep divisions and limited trust between the parties.

Domestically, Netanyahu is also facing political strain. Recent opinion polls indicate a decline in his popularity, with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s right-wing bloc projected to win more seats than Netanyahu’s Likud party in upcoming elections, according to Al Jazeera.

Israel has expressed interest in beginning formal peace talks with Lebanese representatives in Washington next week but has made it clear that Hezbollah will not be included in the discussions. The announcement was made on Friday by Michael Letter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, who stated that Hezbollah continues to attack Israel and remains the biggest obstacle to peace between the two countries.

According to the report, a telephone conversation took place involving the U.S. ambassador in Beirut and the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington. Lebanon’s presidential office said in a statement that under U.S. mediation, discussions scheduled for Tuesday will address ongoing tensions between Israel and Lebanon and explore the possibility of a ceasefire.

The talks come amid heightened regional tensions, with the United States playing a mediating role to prevent further escalation between the two neighboring states.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expelled Spain from a civil-military coordination center established to implement the Gaza ceasefire. The center, located in Kiryat Gat, was formed as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. Netanyahu announced the decision on April 10, 2026, citing Spain’s repeated criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon.

In a statement, Netanyahu accused Spain of spreading falsehoods about the Israeli army, which he described as the world’s most moral force. He said Israel would not remain silent against countries that attack it diplomatically and warned that such hostility would have consequences. The move follows Spain’s strong condemnation of Israel’s policies and military operations in the region.

Observers view this expulsion as a sign of escalating diplomatic strain between Israel and Spain, potentially affecting broader international relations surrounding the Gaza ceasefire process.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Spain has been removed from the Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat, which oversees the Gaza ceasefire. In a video statement posted on X, Netanyahu accused Spain of waging a diplomatic war against Israel and defaming Israeli soldiers. He said Israel would not remain silent against those who attack it. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar echoed the criticism, accusing Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of spreading false accusations and claiming Spain could no longer play a constructive role in implementing the U.S. peace plan.

Relations between Israel and Spain have sharply deteriorated since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023. Spain’s recognition of the state of Palestine and its condemnation of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians further strained ties. The Spanish government also opposed the U.S.-Israel war on Iran that began on February 28, closing its airspace to U.S. aircraft involved in the conflict.

The CMCC, established by the United States as part of Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the Gaza war, coordinates ceasefire monitoring and humanitarian aid. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli attacks on Gaza and restrictions on aid deliveries continue.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee revealed that he spent six consecutive weeks inside a command center during the recent conflict involving Iran and Israel. Following the ceasefire, Huckabee shared his experience through a social media post, describing how he lived in a single room with his two dogs, slept on a camp bed, cooked using a microwave and hot plate, and had very limited movement. He expressed relief at returning to his residence after the ceasefire.

Huckabee, known as a staunch supporter of Israel, has previously identified himself as a Christian Zionist. Earlier this year, in a February interview, he stirred controversy by saying that, according to his interpretation of the Bible, he would not object if Israel occupied most of the Middle East. His remarks drew widespread criticism from the international community.

The ambassador’s account highlights the intensity of the recent conflict and the personal challenges faced by diplomats stationed in high-risk regions.

Israel has reported that 24 people were killed and more than 7,000 injured following a series of missile attacks launched by Iran during ongoing hostilities. According to the Times of Israel, Iran fired around 650 ballistic missiles toward Israel, many carrying cluster bomb warheads that caused widespread damage across populated areas.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that more than half of the missiles contained cluster bomb warheads, dispersing numerous small explosives over wide regions. Among the dead were 20 civilians and foreign nationals inside Israel, as well as four Palestinians in the West Bank. The Israeli Health Ministry confirmed the casualty figures.

The report detailed that Iran launched about 80 missiles on the first day of the conflict, 60 on the second, and 30 on the third, continuing with 10 to 20 missiles daily in subsequent weeks. At least 16 warhead-equipped missiles struck populated areas, causing significant destruction.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed officials to begin direct talks with Lebanon as soon as possible. Despite agreeing to the idea of direct negotiations, Netanyahu made it clear that there will be no ceasefire in Lebanon and that military operations against Hezbollah will continue. The directive marks the first time Netanyahu has accepted Lebanon’s request for direct discussions.

The report notes that the pace of Israeli military operations in Lebanon has slowed in recent hours, with no major attacks reported in Beirut since Wednesday. This development follows a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, after which Israel continued its strikes in Lebanon. The situation reflects a complex regional dynamic involving multiple actors and ongoing hostilities.

It remains uncertain whether the proposed talks will lead to a reduction in hostilities or a broader diplomatic breakthrough, as Israel maintains its military stance while expressing readiness for dialogue.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that his government is ready to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon, following Israeli airstrikes that killed more than 300 people across Lebanon a day earlier. Netanyahu said the talks would focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between the two countries. The announcement came amid escalating violence that has endangered a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he was pursuing a diplomatic track viewed positively by international actors, while Lebanon’s cabinet ordered security forces to restrict weapons in Beirut to state institutions. Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad rejected direct talks with Israel, insisting that a ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal must precede any negotiations. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported at least 303 deaths and over 1,000 injuries from Israeli strikes, prompting a national day of mourning.

The ongoing conflict, which began on March 2, has displaced more than 1.2 million people, according to the United Nations. Iran has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, while the US maintains Lebanon is not covered by the truce. Delegations from the US and Iran are expected to meet in Islamabad on Saturday to discuss ending the war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the initiation of direct talks with Lebanon. He stated that Lebanon had requested to sit for direct discussions, prompting him to instruct that the process begin as soon as possible.

The directive comes despite continued Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon following a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. According to the report, Israeli attacks on Beirut and other areas have resulted in 203 deaths and at least 1,000 injuries as of Wednesday. The situation remains tense as regional actors respond to the escalating violence.

The report cites Al Jazeera as the source of information, indicating that the developments are unfolding rapidly amid heightened regional tensions.

Israel reopened the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem to Palestinian worshippers after a 40-day closure. Verified footage from Al Jazeera showed thousands of Palestinians entering the mosque gates early Thursday, with around three thousand attending the dawn prayer. The reopening followed a period of restrictions imposed after the outbreak of war between Iran and the US-Israel alliance on February 28, which had limited or halted access to holy sites for Christians, Jews, and Muslims.

The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem confirmed that all mosque gates were reopened for worshippers from dawn. The Jordan-linked religious authority responsible for managing the site did not provide further details. Earlier footage showed volunteers cleaning and preparing the prayer areas to welcome worshippers.

Israeli authorities announced the reopening of both Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Wednesday evening, citing updated guidance from the Israeli Home Front Command. Hundreds of police and border guards were deployed across Jerusalem’s Old City to ensure visitor safety.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel will continue to strike Hezbollah targets wherever necessary, even after a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Israel. He stated that any group acting against Israeli civilians would be targeted and emphasized that operations would persist until full security is ensured for residents in northern Israel.

The announcement followed the Israeli Defense Forces’ claim of killing Ali Yusuf Harshi, nephew and secretary to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem. Israel had earlier clarified that the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon. In response, Iran condemned Israel’s continued attacks in Lebanon, calling them a serious violation of the ceasefire agreement. Iranian officials, including the deputy foreign minister and the parliament speaker, warned that the situation remains highly tense.

The developments underscore escalating tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, raising concerns about the durability of the ceasefire and the potential for broader regional confrontation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had promised a decisive victory in the war against Iran, is now facing growing domestic challenges as his objectives appear increasingly unattainable. He had pledged to change Iran’s regime, destroy its missile capabilities, and seize its enriched uranium. However, continued Iranian bombardment of Israel has made those goals seem unrealistic.

Some analysts suggest that Netanyahu’s failure to achieve his war aims could prove even more damaging than his inability to prevent the events of October 7, 2023. According to Al Jazeera journalist Nida Ibrahim, Israel may hold elections later this year, and opposition leader Yair Lapid has begun openly criticizing Netanyahu.

The coming weeks are expected to be crucial as Netanyahu seeks ways to navigate the political and military challenges arising from the ongoing conflict and domestic discontent.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem has reopened after being closed for 40 days under an Israeli-imposed ban. The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Department announced on Wednesday evening that the mosque would reopen for worshippers starting with the dawn prayer on Thursday, without any numerical restrictions. Large numbers of worshippers attended the first prayer following the reopening.

According to the Waqf Department, Israeli authorities had kept the mosque closed under the pretext of emergency and security measures. During the closure, Israeli forces imposed strict military control around the mosque and sealed the gates of Jerusalem’s Old City. The ban coincided with the Jewish Passover festival, which ran from April 2 to April 9.

During the restriction period, groups supporting the so-called ‘Temple’ movement reportedly used the festival as an opportunity to incite attacks on the mosque and called for ritual sacrifices inside the compound, according to the report.

Hezbollah announced early Thursday that it launched rocket attacks targeting northern Israel, claiming the strikes were in response to what it described as continuous ceasefire violations by Israeli forces. The group made the statement through its Telegram channel, asserting responsibility for the attack.

According to the statement, Hezbollah vowed to continue its retaliatory operations until what it called Israeli and U.S. aggression comes to an end. Israeli media reported that one rocket fired from Lebanon was intercepted midair. The exchange followed a series of Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday that hit nearly 100 targets across Lebanon within a span of ten minutes, killing at least 254 people and injuring many others.

The report, published by Al Jazeera and cited by local outlet Amar Desh, highlights the escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah despite existing ceasefire arrangements.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has sharply criticized the ceasefire agreement with Iran, calling it a “political disaster.” According to a report by AFP, Lapid accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to achieve the main objectives of the war. In a post on social media platform X, Lapid said Israel was not even present at the negotiation table when crucial national security decisions were made.

Lapid stated that the military fulfilled all its assigned duties and the public showed great patience, but Netanyahu failed politically and strategically. He argued that none of the goals Netanyahu himself had set were achieved. Netanyahu had aimed to destroy or severely weaken Iran’s nuclear program, which he described as an existential threat to Israel, as well as to neutralize Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and reduce Tehran’s regional influence.

Lapid warned that due to Netanyahu’s arrogance, negligence, and lack of strategic planning, Israel would take many years to recover from the political and strategic damage caused.