Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called Israel a “devil” and a “curse for humanity” in a post on social media platform X, accusing it of continuing to kill civilians in Lebanon despite ongoing ceasefire discussions. He alleged that Israel was committing genocide in Lebanon following its actions in Gaza and Iran, and said those who created Israel on Palestinian land should “burn in hell.”

In response, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Asif’s comments, describing them as a call for Israel’s destruction. The statement said such remarks were intolerable, particularly from a government that claims to act as a neutral mediator for peace.

The exchange comes as Israel continues airstrikes in Lebanon despite diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan to broker a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Lebanese authorities reported intensified Israeli attacks since Wednesday, killing at least 303 people and injuring 1,150, while the health ministry said 1,888 have been killed and 6,092 injured since March 2.

From Tuesday night to early Wednesday, the Gulf region experienced one of its most alarming nights in modern history as missile sirens and explosions disrupted normal life from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi. The brief two-week ceasefire has raised uncertainty about whether the Iran war has truly ended or merely paused. The conflict has turned long-discussed security risks into reality, exposing the vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global energy supply passes.

Over the past six weeks, multiple attacks similar to the earlier Aramco refinery strike have hit oil facilities, airports, and data centers across Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The war has severely affected tourism in Dubai and challenged Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification plans. The region’s ambition to become an artificial intelligence and data hub has also suffered setbacks as technology firms now view Europe as safer.

Foreign professionals, a key part of Gulf economies, are reportedly preparing to leave amid growing insecurity, threatening housing and local businesses. Gulf states are reconsidering their reliance on U.S. protection and exploring new security partnerships with European countries.

Israel launched extensive airstrikes in Lebanon less than 24 hours after a conditional two-week ceasefire was announced between Iran and the United States. The attacks killed at least 182 people, prompting Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah to fire rockets into northern Israel in retaliation. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon would provoke a severe response.

The ceasefire, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and confirmed by Israel, Iran, and mediator Pakistan, has quickly come under strain. Disputes have emerged over whether Lebanon is covered by the agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the assault as the largest strike on Hezbollah since the war began, while Iranian officials accused Israel of violating three clauses of the ceasefire proposal.

Talks between Iran and the United States are scheduled to begin on April 10 in Islamabad, focusing on the ten-point ceasefire plan and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. Conflicting reports continue over whether the vital waterway remains open or closed.

The United States, Israel, and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with Pakistan acting as mediator. The agreement aims to ease heightened tensions in the Middle East, and Tehran announced that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will now be possible. The ceasefire declaration has brought a temporary calm to the region after a period of escalating conflict.

Islamic scholar and As-Sunnah Foundation chairman Shaykh Ahmadullah expressed hope that the ceasefire would become permanent, praying for relief from oppression and aggression worldwide. He made the remarks in a post on his verified Facebook page on April 8.

Bangladesh welcomed the temporary halt in hostilities, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing a statement urging all parties to respect the ceasefire and work constructively toward a durable peace. The statement commended the diplomatic efforts behind the agreement and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s belief that all disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy.

Israel is reportedly preparing to strike Iran’s energy installations but is waiting for a green light from the United States before taking action. According to a Reuters report citing a senior Israeli defense official, the attack could occur within a week, raising fears of escalating regional tensions.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran that it has 48 hours to reach an agreement to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz or face severe consequences. On his Truth Social account, Trump reminded that he had earlier given Iran a ten-day ultimatum to reach a deal or reopen the strait. He said time was running out and that strong measures could follow within 48 hours.

Trump had previously threatened to order strikes on Iran’s power plants, particularly its largest facility, if the strait was not reopened. Although he later said constructive talks were underway and temporarily suspended possible attacks, the extended deadline is set to expire on Monday night. Iran’s military command has dismissed Trump’s warnings as desperate and unbalanced.

The Israeli military announced on Saturday that it plans to strike an area near the main border crossing between Syria and Lebanon, warning local residents to evacuate immediately. The attack will target the Masnaa crossing, which Israel claims Hezbollah is using for military purposes and weapons smuggling. The warning follows continued Israeli operations across Lebanon since March 2, when Hezbollah joined the Middle East conflict in support of Iran.

A Lebanese security source told AFP that the crossing is being evacuated in response to the Israeli threat. Meanwhile, Syria’s General Authority for Borders and Customs said the crossing, known as Jdeidet Yabous on the Syrian side, is used only for civilian purposes and not for military activity. Syrian authorities have temporarily suspended traffic through the crossing for safety reasons.

The Masnaa crossing is a key trade route between Lebanon and Syria and serves as a vital land gateway for Lebanon. Israel previously struck the crossing in October 2024 during an earlier conflict with Hezbollah, after which it remained closed until repair work began following a ceasefire.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have jointly urged an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Middle East war. According to a Kremlin statement released on Friday, the two leaders made the appeal during a phone conversation, emphasizing the need for a negotiated peace agreement that considers the legitimate interests of all countries in the region.

The conflict began about a month ago following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, which subsequently spread across the Middle East. The Kremlin warned that the intensifying military confrontation is having negative effects not only regionally but also globally, particularly on energy, trade, and supply chains.

During the same call, Putin and Erdogan also discussed security in the Black Sea region. Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to attack gas transport infrastructure connecting Russia and Turkey. Gazprom reported that a drone attack on the TurkStream gas pipeline was thwarted on Thursday, a route that supplies gas to several European countries including Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone conversation emphasizing the need to intensify political and diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing war in the Middle East. According to a Kremlin statement cited by Al Jazeera, both leaders stressed the urgency of achieving a ceasefire and pursuing a lasting resolution to the conflict.

The timing of the call is considered significant as Ukraine recently signed an air defense agreement with Saudi Arabia. Ukraine aims to use its experience countering Iranian-made Shahed drones and has proposed supplying cost-effective drone defense technology in exchange for expensive air defense missiles used by Gulf countries.

During the discussion, Putin and the Saudi Crown Prince also noted that the current crisis has disrupted energy production and transportation, negatively affecting global energy security.

Iran has launched its largest missile attack on Israel since the start of the ongoing conflict, according to multiple international media reports. On Wednesday, Iran fired around ten ballistic missiles targeting Israel’s central region, triggering air raid sirens in Tel Aviv, Shephelah, and nearby areas. Residents reportedly heard explosions, and Israeli media indicated that missile debris may have struck several locations, prompting rescue operations. One missile was alleged to have carried a cluster warhead that dispersed smaller bombs midair.

In response, the Israeli military announced a broad offensive targeting Iranian military infrastructure in Tehran. The report added that since February 28, the United States and Israel have jointly conducted airstrikes in Iran, resulting in about 1,340 deaths, including the country’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, according to claims cited in the report.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes not only on Israel but also on U.S. bases in Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states, causing casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to global markets and air travel.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss the ongoing instability in the Middle East. According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry released on Wednesday, both leaders called for an end to the war in the region.

The statement said the two leaders expressed deep concern over the deteriorating military and political situation, particularly the civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. They emphasized the need to stop the conflict as soon as possible and highlighted the importance of diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis while respecting the legitimate interests of Middle Eastern countries.

Their joint appeal reflects growing international concern over the escalating violence and humanitarian impact across the region, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The war that began on February 28 between the United States-Israel alliance and Iran has led to a growing number of casualties across the region. According to Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAANA), 3,492 people have been killed in Iran so far, including 1,574 civilians and 236 children. In Israel, emergency service Magen David Adom reported 19 deaths from missile attacks, while the Israeli army confirmed nine soldiers killed in Lebanon. Lebanon’s health ministry stated that 1,247 people have died there, including 124 children. In the Gulf region, at least 24 people have been killed, most of them security personnel or foreign workers, with 11 in the UAE, seven in Kuwait, and two each in Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.

The figures, sourced from the BBC and local authorities, highlight the widespread human cost of the ongoing conflict. The fighting has affected multiple countries and civilian populations, with reports of significant child casualties and cross-border military losses.

The continued escalation suggests further humanitarian strain across the Middle East if hostilities persist.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that more than half of Israel’s objectives in the war against Iran have been achieved, though he gave no timeline for its end. The conflict has spread across the region, with Israeli forces striking Tehran’s Imam Hossein University, reportedly linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, and a separate airstrike near Beirut killing three Hezbollah members. Meanwhile, two UN peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon, and a drone attack targeting the US embassy in Baghdad was intercepted.

Iran’s parliament commission approved a plan to impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy transport now largely closed due to the fighting. The G7 finance ministers pledged to take all necessary measures to stabilize energy markets. NATO intercepted a missile launched from Iran toward Turkey, marking the fourth such attempt since the war began.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi urged US President Donald Trump to help end the war, while Washington expressed cautious optimism about secret contacts with elements inside Iran. Trump warned that if no peace deal is reached soon, the US could destroy Iran’s key oil and power infrastructure.

Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy has received unanimous backing from Arab foreign ministers to become the next Secretary-General of the Arab League. The decision came during the 165th ministerial meeting of the League, where all member states expressed support for Fahmy’s nomination. His appointment is expected to be finalized at the upcoming Arab Summit in Saudi Arabia, with his five-year term beginning on July 1, 2026.

Egypt’s current Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said the consensus reflects continued Arab confidence in Egypt’s role in joint regional efforts. Fahmy thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for nominating him and expressed gratitude to member states for their support. He noted that the position carries great responsibility at a time when the Arab world faces major challenges and widespread violations of international law.

Fahmy pledged to work closely with member countries to strengthen security, stability, and development across the Arab region once his term begins.

US military personnel are abandoning several bases across the Middle East following intensified Iranian missile and drone strikes. According to The Telegraph, American troops have relocated to nearby hotels and office spaces to avoid further attacks, raising safety concerns for both soldiers and civilians. The situation has become increasingly severe as Tehran’s assaults continue to target US and regional installations.

Open-source analyst Fabian Hinz reported that Iran has struck 104 US and allied bases, with satellite imagery delays hindering accurate damage assessments. The New York Times noted that many of the 13 US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have become nearly uninhabitable. Hinz’s analysis identified Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem base as the most heavily hit, suffering 23 attacks, while other facilities in the region sustained significant infrastructure damage.

Iranian sources claimed the use of advanced Khorramshahr-4 missiles in the strikes. A survey by the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated US losses at around $800 million, including damage to radar and missile defense systems in Jordan and other locations.

At least five Middle Eastern countries have faced major attacks on critical infrastructure over the past 24 hours, with Iran being blamed for the assaults. The United Arab Emirates was hit hardest, as Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), one of the world’s largest aluminum producers based in Abu Dhabi, reported a severe strike on its main facility that caused extensive damage and left several workers injured.

Around the same time, Aluminium Bahrain, another leading global aluminum producer, also suffered significant damage in a separate attack. Kuwait was additionally targeted, with its international airport’s radar system heavily damaged, raising concerns about potential disruptions to air traffic.

The series of coordinated attacks has heightened fears of economic and security instability across the region, as vital industrial and transport infrastructure faces mounting risks.