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It was 2:14 in the afternoon when the first bomb fell, and the sudden sound of crashing metal was like a heavy truck had overturned outside our office. The Israeli strike had hit somewhere nearby. Within seconds, plumes of smoke were rising across Beirut’s skyline, from the coastal corniche, down to the city’s busiest intersection, up from one of its wealthiest neighborhoods and one of its poorest. Boom. Boom. Boom. We stopped counting. One staffer ran into the office from downstairs, her face white and lips trembling. During the 10 years that Beirut has been my home, the Lebanese capital has lived through rounds of Israeli bombing, Israel’s detonation of pagers belonging to Hezbollah members and a devastating port explosion in 2020. But Wednesday was the first time it felt like the city had been left breathless. In a span of 10 minutes, Israel says it hit 100 targets in Lebanon. Most were in Beirut. Over 300 people were killed, including more than 100 women, children and elderly. Late night TV shows said it rivaled one of the worst days during Israel’s 1982 invasion of Beirut — in August of that year, when roughly 300 people were killed over some 10 hours of bombardment. Acrid smoke, frantic calls and looks of horror Before Wednesday's bombardment, many Lebanese had hoped that a ceasefire announced hours earlier in the Iran war would bring a pause in the more than a month of fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. It is still not clear what the targets were. Israel said it hit Hezbollah command and control centers, but the only Hezbollah official it reported killing was an aide to the group’s secretary general. As bombs fell, panicked commuters got stuck in traffic while trying to rush home to move their families, unsure where Israel may hit next. Others made frantic calls on an overwhelmed communication network, looking for loved ones or yelling at relatives to pack up and leave. Confused drivers stared at the acrid black and white smoke billowing over the city, trying to determine which road to take. In the stricken areas, the mayhem was on another level. People’s faces were covered in black soot. At one of Beirut’s busiest intersections, on Corniche al-Mazraa, an Associated Press photographer saw charred cars piled on top of each other. A body was crushed inside one. In Mar Elias, one of Beirut’s main commercial streets, a blast raised dust and debris that hid the view of the entire block. Across the street, Sahar Charara was huddled in her apartment. Ever since the 2020 port explosion, in which her two children suffered minor injuries, Charara has tried to protect herself from seeing the victims of violence — a sign of how years of accumulated heartbreaks have marked Lebanese. But when the dust cleared, she looked outside and saw the despair of an entire city on the face of an elderly woman frozen in place and screaming for minutes. “There were so much horror and fear in her screaming,” said Charara. When Charara left her apartment an hour later, she exchanged a few words with her neighbor whose shop was destroyed. The expression on her face was a “blank look of horror,” Charara said. She learned later from her building’s doorman that another neighbor had fallen from the balcony and died from the impact. Buildings crumble to the ground A strike hit near the home of Nahida Khalil, close to the corniche. Then she saw smoke also coming from the direction of her brother’s building further up the street. The next 15 minutes felt like an eternity as she tried to call her brother, with no answer. Finally, his wife responded, screaming that their building was hit. They had searched through the black smoke filling their apartment to find their three children. When they finally made it to the street, they saw half of their building had been leveled, and the other half was slowly tumbling down as rescuers searched for the missing. “I lived through all the wars since 1975. I never felt this fear,” said Khalil, who has lived in the same building for decades. "These strikes are meant to terrorize ... and to spoil the ceasefire and cause division” between Lebanese. A few hundred meters to the west of Charara’s building later in the day, motorists swerved and crossed paths, as they tried to evacuate Tallet al-Khayyat, one of the highest points in Beirut and home to some of the city’s classiest apartment buildings. One building crumbled to dust in seconds after being struck by an Israeli bomb; a resident described hearing the building’s stones grind before it collapsed. By nightfall, people were still assessing the losses and damages – and trying to figure out where was safe. Some families spent the night sleeping in different rooms, figuring if overnight strikes hit, some would survive. Rescue efforts went on through the night. At Khalil’s family building in the Ain Mreisseh neighborhood, rescue workers' hopes were boosted after finding a 92-year-old man alive. But by daylight Thursday, they were still searching for four or five more bodies, they told the AP. A man whose 23-year-old daughter was among the missing stood on a mound of rubble and helped search. The 101st strike At hospitals, staff were still trying to identify dozens of bodies. The last strike came shortly after midnight, hitting the southern suburbs of Beirut, which have been regularly hit during the war. Mohammed Mehdi’s barbershop, in operation for 30 years, was destroyed. During the current war, he and his family fled their home in the neighborhood, Chiyah, and now sleep in a dentist clinic, near Khalil’s family building. But he made it a point to keep his barber shop open, going to it every day to meet friends, have coffee and give the occasional haircut. He shut down Wednesday as bombs starting falling across the city. “They carried out 100 strikes. Ours was the 101st,” he said Thursday. He is mourning Lebanon’s dead from the day. “I am still in shock, and I don’t know where things are going. I lost my job and this loss may last for a while.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said Tehran will take the management of the Strait of Hormuz “into a new phase,” as tensions persist over access to the critically important waterway despite a fragile ceasefire with the United States. In a statement broadcast by state media, Khamenei said Iran would “seek compensation for every single loss inflicted” and pursue damages for those injured in the war. While he did not clarify what the new phase of Hormuz management would entail, the remarks signal a potential shift in Tehran’s strategy over the vital global oil route. He stressed that Iran “never sought war and we’re not seeking war,” but warned it would “not back off from seeking our legitimate rights in any way,” including support for what he described as the “entire resistance front.” He also called on pro-Iran supporters to mobilise publicly, saying their voices could influence the outcome of ongoing negotiations. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Israel would “scale back” strikes on Lebanon ahead of talks with Iran in Islamabad, expressing optimism about a potential deal. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the notion of a truce in Lebanon, declaring “there is no ceasefire” and vowing continued attacks against Hezbollah. Netanyahu says Israel to hold direct talks with Lebanon amid ceasefire dispute The conflicting positions have cast doubt on the durability of the two-week ceasefire, with disputes over Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz emerging as key sticking points. Heavy Israeli strikes on Beirut shortly after the truce announcement further deepened uncertainty. Diplomatic efforts are set to continue, with Pakistan hosting talks in Islamabad involving senior officials from the US, Iran and Pakistan, as both sides test the possibility of a broader settlement. Pakistani officials have disclosed the names of key figures expected to attend the upcoming negotiations aimed at ending the conflict between Iran and the United States. The talks are tentatively scheduled for Saturday in Islamabad, though officials said details are still being finalised and the list of participants may change, reports Al Jazeera. From Pakistan, expected attendees include Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and National Security Adviser Asim Malik, who also heads the country’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The US delegation is likely to feature Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, senior presidential adviser Jared Kushner, and Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM). Iran’s side is expected to be represented by Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi. Officials emphasised that the final list of participants could be updated as preparations continue. The talks come amid a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US, providing a window for diplomatic engagement. With inputs from BBC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has issued instructions to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible,” following what he claimed were requests from Beirut. The announcement comes after Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon continued despite a two-week ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran, sparking confusion over whether Lebanon was included in the agreement. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the only solution to the current crisis is a ceasefire with Israel and reported that initial talks with Israel have received a “positive response.” Pakistan’s representative to the United Nations Security Council confirmed that the US-Israel ceasefire included Lebanon, noting that the hostilities against the country were meant to halt under the agreement. Meanwhile, Iran condemned the Israeli attacks and urged the US to fully enforce the ceasefire on all fronts, especially in Lebanon. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized that any deviation from the ceasefire terms would constitute a breach of the US commitment.

Israel’s continued military strikes on Lebanon have raised serious concerns over the stability of the recently declared two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. On Wednesday, Israeli air attacks across Lebanon killed at least 254 people and wounded over 1,100 in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, marking the bloodiest day since the US-Israel war on Iran began in late February, reports Al Jazeera. Israel said it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and killed an aide to the group’s chief, Naim Qassem, but Lebanese officials reported extensive damage to civilian areas. The attacks came hours after Pakistan announced the ceasefire, which it said included all fronts, specifically Lebanon. Iran has echoed Pakistan’s position, warning that attacks on Lebanon could undermine the truce and trigger further escalation. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Israel’s strikes “blatantly violate” the ceasefire, asserting that Iran’s “hands remain on the trigger” and pledging never to abandon its Lebanese allies. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that violations carry “explicit costs and strong responses.” The United States and Israel, however, argue that the ceasefire only covers US-Iran hostilities, excluding Lebanon. US Vice President JD Vance said Lebanon was “a separate skirmish,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted military operations against Hezbollah would continue. Analysts warn that continuing strikes on Lebanon, a key Iranian ally, may force Tehran to retaliate to maintain its credibility and deter further attacks. International reaction has been critical of Israel’s attacks. The United Nations, the European Union, and several countries including France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Egypt, Turkiye, Spain, and the UK have urged Israel to halt operations and called for Lebanon’s inclusion in the ceasefire. UN chief Antonio Guterres said ongoing military activity in Lebanon “poses a grave risk” to the ceasefire. More than 1.2 million people have been displaced in Lebanon since the conflict escalated. Talks between the US and Iran are scheduled to begin in Islamabad on Saturday to seek a permanent settlement.

Pakistani officials have disclosed the names of key figures expected to attend the upcoming negotiations aimed at ending the conflict between Iran and the United States. The talks are tentatively scheduled for Saturday in Islamabad, though officials said details are still being finalised and the list of participants may change, reports Al Jazeera. From Pakistan, expected attendees include Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and National Security Adviser Asim Malik, who also heads the country’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The US delegation is likely to feature Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, senior presidential adviser Jared Kushner, and Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM). Iran’s side is expected to be represented by Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi. Officials emphasised that the final list of participants could be updated as preparations continue. The talks come amid a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US, providing a window for diplomatic engagement.

More than 3,000 people have died in Iran since the conflict began on February 28, according to Iranian media citing the country’s Forensic Medicine Organisation chief, Abbas Masjedi Arani. As of April 7, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that 1,701 civilians have been killed, including at least 254 children. HRANA also noted that 1,221 military personnel have died, with an additional 714 deaths yet to be classified. The figures highlight the severe human cost of the ongoing conflict in Iran, affecting both civilian and military populations. Source: BBC

Iran’s president has warned that their hands 'remain on the trigger', accusing Israel of violating the ongoing ceasefire through continued strikes in Lebanon. President Masoud Pezeshkian said Israeli attacks on Lebanon “blatantly violate” the ceasefire agreement, describing the actions as a sign of “deception and non-compliance” that undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts, reports BBC. In a statement posted on social media, he said Iran’s hands would “remain on the trigger” and stressed that Tehran would “never forsake its Lebanese brothers and sisters.” The remarks came a day after Israel said it had carried out more than 100 airstrikes in Lebanon targeting positions it described as linked to Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said operations would continue “wherever necessary.” Meanwhile, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf warned that violations of the ceasefire would carry “explicit costs and strong responses.” He emphasised that Lebanon is an “inseparable part” of the ceasefire arrangement and rejected any attempt to exclude it. Ghalibaf also urged an immediate halt to hostilities, saying there was “no room for denial or backtracking.” The developments highlight growing tensions surrounding the fragile ceasefire, with concerns mounting that continued strikes could derail diplomatic efforts and trigger wider regional escalation.

Iran’s nuclear chief has dismissed calls to restrict the country’s uranium enrichment programme as a “pipe dream,” reaffirming Tehran’s stance amid a newly announced ceasefire involving the United States and Israel. President of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami made the remarks on Thursday while speaking to reporters in Tehran, according to local media. Eslami said no law or external pressure could halt Iran’s nuclear progress, adding that demands to abandon uranium enrichment were “nonsensical.” He claimed that years of hostile actions against Iran, including the recent war, had failed to achieve their objectives. He further argued that calls for limitations through negotiations were aimed at “consoling” Iran’s adversaries, asserting that their push for a ceasefire reflected a position of weakness. His comments come after a two-week ceasefire was announced earlier this week between Iran, the United States and Israel to allow room for diplomatic efforts following weeks of escalating tensions. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said in a social media post that Iran would not be allowed to enrich uranium, adding that Washington would work to remove what he described as deeply buried nuclear materials. Iranian officials, however, have repeatedly maintained that uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes is a sovereign right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The latest exchange highlights persistent disagreements over Iran’s nuclear programme, even as diplomatic efforts resume under the temporary truce.

A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war came under pressure on Thursday as disagreements over Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz and other key issues cast doubt on whether the truce will hold. Just hours after the ceasefire was announced, confusion emerged over whether it covered fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Soon after, Israel launched heavy airstrikes on Beirut, marking the deadliest day in Lebanon since the conflict began on Feb. 28. Iran and the United States, both claiming success after the truce, appeared to be increasing pressure on each other. Iranian semiofficial media suggested that forces may have planted sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route, highlighting Tehran’s strategic leverage. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump warned that US forces would carry out stronger attacks if Iran fails to honour the deal. However, major questions remain unresolved. These include whether Lebanon is part of the ceasefire, the future of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, when normal shipping will resume through the strait, and limits on Iran’s missile capabilities. Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami said protecting the country’s right to enrich uranium is essential for any agreement with Washington. Speaking in Tehran, he criticised the US for not recognising enrichment as part of Iran’s proposed plan for a lasting ceasefire. Talks between the US and Iran are expected to take place in Pakistan this weekend. Violence in Lebanon has further threatened the truce. At least 182 people were killed on Wednesday as Israel intensified strikes on Hezbollah positions in Beirut. Rescue teams continued searching through rubble for survivors. Israel said it killed Ali Yusuf Harshi, an aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem, though Hezbollah has not commented. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that halting the war in Lebanon was part of the ceasefire, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump rejected that claim. A New York-based think tank warned the agreement is close to collapse, saying Israel’s large-scale strikes could be seen as escalating tensions, regardless of whether Lebanon is formally included. Lebanon’s state news agency reported that an Israeli strike killed at least seven people in the south overnight, though Israel has not confirmed it. Uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz continues to push global oil prices higher. Iranian media published a map indicating a “danger zone” in the waterway, suggesting the presence of sea mines during the conflict. Shipping traffic through the strait has dropped sharply, with only a few vessels passing since the war began due to security concerns. Although prices briefly fell after the ceasefire announcement, they rose again as doubts grew. Brent crude stood at around $98 on Thursday, up about 35% since the conflict started. Iran has said it will allow ships to pass under international law once US military actions stop and Israel halts attacks in Lebanon. Trump said US forces would remain deployed near Iran until a “real agreement” is fully implemented, warning of stronger military action if commitments are not met. The White House said Vice President JD Vance will lead the US delegation in upcoming talks in Islamabad starting Saturday. Key sticking points include Iran’s plan to potentially charge ships using the strait, which would challenge its status as an international waterway, and the future of Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes. While the US wants Iran to abandon any ability to develop nuclear weapons and remove its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, Tehran maintains its programme is for peaceful purposes. Trump said the US may work with Iran to remove the uranium, though Tehran has not confirmed this. In its own version of the agreement, Iran indicated it would continue uranium enrichment.

Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 203 people have been killed and over 1,000 others injured in Israeli strikes across the country in the past 24 hours. The development comes as Iran has described the continued Israeli attacks as a “grave violation” of the ongoing US-Iran ceasefire agreement.  #By BBC