Israel’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has warned that the country’s army could collapse due to severe manpower shortages as it fights simultaneous wars against Iran and Hezbollah. According to reports from Israeli media cited by Al Jazeera, Zamir issued the warning during a security cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where he presented ten warning signs about the army’s current condition.

Zamir expressed concern that the Israel Defense Forces might soon be unable to carry out regular duties if the situation continues. To address the crisis, he proposed new legislation to expand mandatory recruitment, extend reserve duty, and lengthen the duration of compulsory military service.

The warning comes as Israel remains engaged on multiple fronts, including joint operations with the United States against Iran and ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, straining its military resources and personnel capacity.

Israel’s military spokesman General Efi Defrin announced that attacks targeting Iran’s top leaders will continue. His statement followed the killing of Alireza Tansiri, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s navy, in Bandar Abbas. According to a report by the Times of Israel, Defrin said that such targeted operations will not stop and that Israel will keep pursuing and striking those it considers threats.

Defrin added that Israel has already carried out strikes on more than a thousand sites linked to Iran’s weapons production during the ongoing conflict. He stated that the Israeli military is focusing on factories involved in producing missiles, drones, and defense systems.

The announcement underscores Israel’s continued military campaign against Iranian assets and leadership figures amid heightened regional tensions.

Lebanon announced plans to lodge a formal complaint with the United Nations Security Council following ongoing Israeli airstrikes that have killed at least 1,110 people in the country. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he has instructed the foreign minister to immediately submit the complaint, describing the attacks as a serious threat to Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and citizens’ rights.

According to Lebanese authorities, the strikes began after the outbreak of conflict involving Iran. The National News Agency reported that more than 136,000 people have been displaced, with 34,973 families forced to leave their homes and take shelter in temporary centers. The government characterized the situation as extremely dangerous and called for international attention to halt the escalation.

The move to approach the UN Security Council signals Beirut’s attempt to seek diplomatic intervention amid rising casualties and humanitarian strain caused by the continuing Israeli offensive.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has postponed a planned American strike on Iran’s energy facilities for ten days, following a request from Tehran. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said Iranian officials initially asked for a seven-day delay, but he decided to extend it to ten days, setting the new deadline for April 6. He stated that Iran made the request through his representatives and expressed gratitude for the extension.

Trump explained that the postponement came after Iran sought more time to act on unspecified matters, warning that if they failed to do so, the United States would disable their power plants. He added that Iran had provided ships to the U.S., which influenced his decision to grant additional time.

Earlier, Trump had given Iran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, later extending that deadline by five days before this latest ten-day delay. The developments mark a continued shift in the timeline of U.S. pressure on Iran over regional maritime and energy issues.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Saim, the prime accused in the widely discussed Munna murder case in Bogura. The arrest was made during a joint operation by RAB-12 Bogura and RAB-1 Uttara, Dhaka. The development was confirmed at a press briefing held at the RAB-12 Bogura camp on Thursday night, March 26, 2026, by Squadron Leader Firoz Ahmed, the company commander.

According to RAB, Saim, aged 36, is the son of the late Azizur Rahman from Shaharpukur area of Fapore Union in Bogura Sadar. The victim, Ariful Islam Munna, aged 43, was from the same union’s Khandkarpara area. Preliminary investigation revealed that both men were involved in drug trading and had disputes over drug transactions. Munna had also filed a cheque fraud case against Saim months earlier, which is still under trial.

RAB reported that Saim attacked Munna with a sharp Burmese knife on March 23, leading to Munna’s death the next morning. After remaining fugitive, Saim was captured in Dhaka’s Turag area and handed over to Bogura Sadar Police for legal proceedings.

Iran has carried out attacks targeting Israeli ships and fuel tanks as the joint US-Israeli offensive in Iran enters its 27th day, according to Al Jazeera reports cited by Amar Desh. The Iranian military claimed responsibility, saying it struck several Israeli naval vessels in the eastern Mediterranean and fuel tanks for warplanes at Haifa port.

Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, stated through state media that Iran remains determined to target all sources of aggression and evil forces. The report noted that Israel has not yet issued any immediate response to the attacks.

The situation reflects an escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Iran and the US-Israel alliance, with both sides continuing offensive and counteroffensive actions. No further details on damage or casualties were provided in the report.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that ongoing discussions with Iran are progressing through message exchanges facilitated by intermediary countries. Speaking to reporters, he confirmed that some progress had been made but emphasized that the process remains ongoing and evolving, and would not be discussed publicly.

Rubio also commented on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that maritime traffic there is gradually increasing. He stated that while fuel transport has not fully returned to previous levels, some shipments have resumed. Rubio added that if Iran stops threatening global navigation, the strait could reopen completely as soon as tomorrow.

Highlighting the importance of adherence to international law, Rubio urged countries concerned about global legal norms to take appropriate action in response to the situation.

Five people, including four members of the same family, were killed in a road accident on Thursday evening in the Kalakchua area of Burichong upazila, Cumilla, along the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. in front of the Miami Hotel when a Chattogram-bound Star Line bus hit a private car from behind, crushing the vehicle. Four people died on the spot, and another succumbed to injuries later.

Police confirmed that the deceased were Mufti Abdul Momin, 50, his wife Jharna Begum, 40, their children Saif, 7, and Labiba, 18, all residents of Chatarpaiya in Noakhali’s Sonaimuri upazila, and the car’s driver Jamal Hossain, 52, from Barishal. Another family member, Abrar, 12, was injured and is receiving treatment at Moynamoti Army General Hospital.

Authorities said two bodies were kept at Eastern Medical College Hospital and two at Cumilla Medical College Hospital. The victims were returning to Dhaka when the accident occurred. Police reported that traffic on the highway remained normal and that the bodies would be handed over to the families after legal procedures.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Kazakh Foreign Minister Yerzhan Kosherbayev held a telephone conversation to discuss the ongoing war situation in Iran, according to Tasnim News Agency. During the call, Kazakhstan urged an end to the conflict, expressing concern over the current situation.

Kosherbayev emphasized Kazakhstan’s readiness to contribute to restoring regional stability and security. In response, Araghchi accused Israel and the United States of attacking Iran’s Anzali port, claiming that the assault posed a serious threat to the security and stability of the Caspian Sea region. He called for a united and firm response from the coastal nations.

The discussion reflects growing regional diplomatic engagement as neighboring countries express concern over escalating tensions and their potential impact on regional stability.

Police in Faridpur arrested Mohammad Tahsin Islam Siam, 23, also known as Teko Siam, who served as the assistant general secretary of the district unit of the banned Chhatra League. The arrest took place around 10 p.m. on Thursday near the Textile Engineering College on the city’s bypass road. A team from Kotwali Police Station carried out the operation.

According to police, Siam had previously been jailed in connection with a vandalism case at Kotwali Police Station. After being released on bail, he allegedly became involved in several violent incidents in the area. Officers detained him after responding to a report of a fight. Siam is the son of Mostafizur Rahman from the city’s West Khobaspur area.

Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Shahidul Islam confirmed the arrest and stated that multiple cases were already filed against Siam. He will be presented before the court on Friday.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has praised Hezbollah for what he described as a series of 87 operations carried out in one night. According to a report by Al Jazeera, Ghalibaf made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, commending the group’s rapid and coordinated attacks.

He stated that Hezbollah is now stronger and more active than ever before, asserting that the swift and precise strikes inflicted significant damage on Israel’s military equipment and forces. Ghalibaf also claimed that these actions demonstrated the truth of the ‘promise of martyr Sayyid,’ a phrase he appeared to use in reference to slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

The comments reflect Iran’s continued public support for Hezbollah amid ongoing regional tensions, though no independent verification of the claimed operations was mentioned in the report.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that its defense forces intercepted 15 ballistic missiles and 11 drones on Thursday. According to a statement from the UAE Ministry of Defense shared on social media platform X, the country’s air defense systems have been countering ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones launched by Iran.

The ministry further stated that since the start of the Iranian attacks, a total of 372 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,826 drones have been destroyed. The latest assault resulted in the deaths of two UAE armed forces members and one Moroccan national working under contract with the military. Additionally, eight foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Palestine, and India were reported killed.

The report highlights the continuing escalation of hostilities involving Iran and the UAE, with regional tensions remaining high as both sides sustain military engagements.

The head of France’s armed forces held a video conference with representatives from 35 countries to discuss ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. France’s defense ministry confirmed the meeting in a statement but did not specify which countries participated. The talks focused on restoring maritime traffic through the vital waterway once regional tensions subside.

According to the ministry, the initiative is entirely defensive and separate from ongoing military operations in the Middle East. The effort aims to ensure safe navigation through the strait, which has been closed due to heightened conflict in the region.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transport route, has significantly disrupted international trade and energy supplies, prompting urgent diplomatic and security discussions among affected nations.

Senior fellow Ross Harrison of the Middle East Institute stated that the recent US-Israeli attacks on Iran have rendered the previous basis for nuclear negotiations irrelevant. He explained that earlier discussions between the United States and Iran were built on mutual interests—Washington sought to limit Iran’s nuclear program, while Tehran wanted security assurances and economic benefits. The ongoing conflict, however, has disrupted that balance.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Harrison said that after being attacked, Iran’s approach has changed and the previous Geneva negotiation framework no longer applies. He added that both the United States and Israel have influenced the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape through their actions. The conflict began after joint US-Israeli airstrikes in Iran last February, coinciding with indirect nuclear talks in Switzerland.

Harrison also noted that targeted killings tend to harden Iran’s stance, a pattern observed in previous confrontations. The evolving situation suggests that any renewed dialogue will face significant challenges under the new realities.

French energy company TotalEnergies has withdrawn around 1,300 employees from the Middle East as tensions rise between Iran, Israel, and the United States, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The company’s CEO, Patrick Pouyanné, said the workers were relocated from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.

Pouyanné explained that only a small number of local employees and contractors remain to maintain essential operations. The decision was made due to the deteriorating security situation in the region, with the company prioritizing the safety of its personnel.

The move underscores growing concerns among international firms operating in the Middle East as the regional conflict intensifies, potentially affecting energy operations and supply stability.