The ongoing Israel-Iran war has entered a more difficult and prolonged phase, moving away from short, intense strikes toward a drawn-out conflict. Early in the war, Israeli and U.S. forces carried out heavy attacks on Iranian targets, damaging several military facilities. However, as the fighting continues, questions have emerged about Israel’s ability to sustain a long-term confrontation given its structural and strategic limitations.

The report highlights several key weaknesses: limited missile defense interceptors, high operational costs, manpower shortages, and heavy reliance on U.S. military support. Israel’s missile defense systems such as Iron Dome and David’s Sling are technologically advanced but expensive to maintain, and their interceptor stockpiles are depleting rapidly under sustained Iranian missile and drone attacks. Economic strain is also mounting, with labor shortages, business closures, and rising defense expenditures adding pressure to the national economy.

Analysts note that Iran appears to be pursuing a strategy of attrition, aiming to exhaust Israel economically and psychologically rather than seeking a quick victory. As the conflict drags on, Israel’s dependence on external allies and its limited geographic and demographic depth may further test its long-term resilience.

Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, Chairman of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, reported that his personal Facebook and WhatsApp accounts were hacked. The incident was recorded in a general diary filed on Tuesday, March 24, at Shahbagh Police Station in Dhaka. According to the diary, the accounts were compromised on March 18 by unknown individuals.

The report noted concerns that the hackers might use the compromised accounts for various malicious activities. Following the incident, a letter was also sent to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) requesting necessary action.

Authorities are expected to investigate the hacking incident and take steps to prevent potential misuse of the judge’s social media and communication accounts.

Bangladesh’s total foreign debt rose to 113.51 billion dollars by the end of December 2025, marking the highest level on record. According to the latest Bangladesh Bank report released on Tuesday, the debt increased by 1.30 billion dollars in the last quarter of the year. At the end of September, the figure stood at 112.21 billion dollars. When the Awami League government left office, the debt was 103.41 billion dollars, meaning it grew by 10 billion dollars during the 18 months of the interim government.

The report shows that both public and private sector debts increased between October and December. Government debt rose from 92.55 billion to 93.46 billion dollars, while private sector debt climbed from 19.65 billion to 20.05 billion dollars. Economists noted that foreign borrowing had been rising for years, driven by large infrastructure projects such as metro rail, power plants, and expressways. The interim government also borrowed externally to cover salary payments during its first year.

Former World Bank economist Zahid Hossain said most of the debt is government-held and warned that misuse of borrowed funds could undermine repayment capacity, even though the debt-to-GDP ratio remains manageable.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 24 at the White House that Iran is 'very desperate' to reach a deal to end the ongoing conflict. He stated that Washington is in contact with 'appropriate people' in Tehran but did not specify who they are. Trump hinted that Iran might offer a major oil and gas proposal and claimed that the U.S. holds the upper hand, asserting that much of Iran’s military capability has been destroyed. However, field reports indicate Iran still controls the Hormuz Strait, raising doubts about his statements.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed Trump’s remarks as 'fake news.' Reports suggest Washington sent Tehran a 15-point proposal through Pakistan, possibly including halting Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the Hormuz Strait. Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo noted that Trump faces domestic pressure over the costly and unpopular war, with polls showing most Americans oppose attacks on Iran.

Analyst Negar Mortazavi said Iran aims to end the war on its own terms, seeking both security and economic benefits. Meanwhile, Israel’s government confirmed no change in its military plans, and the U.S. is preparing to deploy additional troops to the Middle East.

The banned Awami League has announced programs under the banner of 'Sheikh Hasina Oikya Parishad' demanding withdrawal of restrictions on its activities. The group plans a human chain in front of the National Press Club and a tribute at the National Memorial in Savar on March 26, coinciding with Bangladesh’s Independence Day. Law enforcement agencies have been placed on high alert as intelligence reports suggest the events may serve to signal the party’s political presence.

Authorities report that several former leaders, including Shahriar Suman, Hanif Khan, Saiful Alam Babul, and Farida Ilyas, are involved in organizing the activities. Intelligence sources also claim that a group of journalists and intellectuals are covertly aiding the banned organization’s revival efforts. Across multiple districts, attempts have been made to reopen sealed party offices and stage flash processions.

Police, RAB, and intelligence units have intensified nationwide security measures from March 25 to 26 to prevent unrest. Cyber monitoring teams are tracking online propaganda, while checkpoints and patrols have been reinforced in Dhaka and other key areas.

Law enforcement agencies conducted a late-night raid on Monday at the Baridhara DOHS residence of retired Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury, detaining him and uncovering allegations of an illegal garment office operating inside the building. The incident has drawn public attention and renewed scrutiny of long-standing complaints about commercial activities in the residential area.

According to local residents and on-site observations, the six-and-a-half-story building housed Masud Uddin’s family on the upper floors, while the second and third floors were used for garment business operations. Residents said that despite repeated concerns over environmental and security issues, no action had been taken due to the former general’s influence. Commercial operations in Baridhara DOHS are legally prohibited, but locals had been reluctant to speak out.

The arrest and subsequent revelations have sparked widespread discussion on social media, where users recalled Masud’s controversial past and demanded an investigation into the misuse of residential property for business purposes.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense has announced that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 11 drones over the country’s eastern region. The ministry issued a brief statement on Wednesday confirming that the drones were successfully detected and neutralized.

Authorities did not disclose the origin of the drones or provide details about possible casualties or damage. The statement also followed an earlier announcement that a ballistic missile had been intercepted in the same area. These incidents have heightened concerns about the security situation in the region.

The ministry’s latest report underscores continuing threats to Saudi airspace and the growing regional instability linked to repeated aerial attacks.

A severe fuel shortage has spread across Bangladesh as most petrol pumps remain closed or impose strict rationing due to global war-related supply disruptions. Reports from Rajshahi, Khulna, Rangpur, Cumilla, Barishal, Cox’s Bazar, and Mymensingh show long queues, limited distribution, and widespread public suffering. In Rajshahi, pumps have run out of fuel since Monday, while in Khulna and Cumilla, drivers wait for hours only to receive small amounts. In Rangpur, allegations surfaced that some dealers are selling fuel on the black market at inflated prices.

The crisis began after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran led to the closure of the Hormuz Strait, pushing global oil prices above $100 per barrel. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) introduced rationing by vehicle type to manage the shortage, but supply gaps forced many stations to shut down. Local pump associations have urged authorities to deploy the army to prevent chaos during fuel distribution.

Officials and pump owners expect partial improvement within days, though uncertainty remains about when normal supply will resume.

Bangladesh’s apparel exports to European Union countries, the sector’s largest destination, dropped sharply at the start of 2026. According to Eurostat data, exports in January 2026 fell by 25.25 percent year-on-year to 1.43 billion euros, down from 1.91 billion euros in January 2025. The decline was driven by a 17.49 percent fall in export volume and a 9.41 percent drop in average price per kilogram. Industry stakeholders expressed concern that a prolonged downturn in the EU market could negatively affect Bangladesh’s overall economy, as nearly half of its export earnings come from this region.

Analysts attributed the slump to weaker consumer demand in Europe, rising living costs, higher interest rates, and slower retail sales. Increased competition from China, India, Vietnam, and other exporters has also intensified price pressure. Other major suppliers, including Turkey and China, also saw export declines. Former BGMEA director Mohiuddin Rubel noted that EU apparel imports overall fell by about 15.48 percent in January, reflecting a broader market slowdown.

Industry representatives urged swift policy action, emphasizing product diversification, higher value addition, stronger trade diplomacy, and exploring new markets to sustain export growth.

Bangladesh’s 2026 Eid travel season, initially smooth, ended with severe disruptions, accidents, and widespread passenger suffering across roads, railways, and waterways. According to the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association, between March 15 and 22, 201 road accidents killed 216 people and injured 421, while seven rail accidents caused 42 deaths and seven waterway incidents left 56 dead. The Road Safety Foundation reported 262 road crashes from March 17 to 24, killing 192. The association also estimated that passengers paid about Tk 148 crore in excess fares during the holiday period.

Government ministers claimed the travel situation remained orderly and that complaints were being addressed, but transport watchdogs and opposition parties accused the administration of negligence and mismanagement. Passenger groups alleged that ministers’ statements favored transport owners, encouraging fare manipulation and reckless driving. Opposition leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh blamed the transport ministries for chaos and fatalities.

Observers noted that poor coordination, fuel shortages, and bad weather worsened conditions compared to the previous year’s interim government period, when stricter oversight had ensured smoother Eid travel.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised the roles of Gulf countries during a wartime situation, describing the United Arab Emirates as an 'excellent' state and Qatar as a 'wonderful' one. The remarks were reported on March 25, 2026, citing BBC as the source.

The report highlighted Trump's positive assessment of the Gulf nations' conduct during the ongoing conflict period. It also referenced related regional developments, including Iran’s eagerness to reach an agreement, Saudi Arabia’s claim of intercepting 11 drones, the Philippines’ declaration of a national energy emergency, and a drone attack at Kuwait International Airport.

These statements and events underscore the tense geopolitical environment in the Gulf region, with multiple nations responding to security and energy challenges.

A drone attack struck a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday, causing a fire but no reported casualties. The incident occurred when the drone hit the tank, leading to visible flames at the site. According to Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Abdullah Al-Razi, initial reports confirmed that no lives were lost, though the facility sustained damage.

Following the strike, authorities immediately activated emergency protocols. Fire services and other relevant agencies were deployed to control and extinguish the blaze. The Civil Aviation Authority stated that emergency teams were working to ensure safety and prevent further damage.

The source report did not specify who was responsible for the attack or whether airport operations were disrupted. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, according to the initial briefing shared with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

According to reports from US and Israeli media, the United States has sent a 15-point peace proposal to Iran. The New York Times, Reuters, and Israel’s Channel 12 cited unnamed sources saying the proposal was delivered through Pakistan. Earlier, Pakistan had offered to mediate peace talks between the two warring countries.

Channel 12 reported that one of the key conditions in the plan is to keep the strategically important Strait of Hormuz open and declare it a “free maritime zone.” In return, Iran would reportedly see all sanctions against it lifted if it accepts the terms of the proposal.

However, the BBC stated that it has not yet seen any related documents and is working to verify the authenticity of the media reports.

Hezbollah carried out attacks targeting Israeli soldiers and infrastructure in the occupied Golan Heights on Tuesday afternoon. In multiple statements, the group said it fired rockets and artillery shells at Israeli troops gathered in three different areas of Taybeh, a city in southern Lebanon. Later in the evening, Hezbollah reported launching rockets at Israeli military infrastructure in Katzrin, an Israeli settlement in the occupied Golan Heights.

Lebanese officials had earlier warned that the Israeli military was planning a full-scale ground offensive south of the Litani River. According to the report, both U.S. and Israeli officials consider this area part of what they describe as 'Greater Israel.' The information was sourced from Al Jazeera.

The developments highlight rising tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, with the Golan Heights remaining a focal point of regional conflict and competing territorial claims.

Lebanon has reported that 33 people were killed in the past 24 hours due to Israeli attacks. The country’s Disaster Risk Management Unit stated in its latest daily report that 90 others were injured during the same period. The figures were cited by Al Jazeera.

Earlier, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said that since Israel intensified its assaults on March 2, the total death toll has risen to 1,072. The escalation marks one of the deadliest phases of the ongoing hostilities between the two sides, with civilian casualties continuing to mount according to official Lebanese sources.

The latest data underscores the sustained intensity of Israeli operations in Lebanon and the growing humanitarian toll reported by Lebanese authorities.