United News of Bangladesh

Israel has ordered residents to evacuate the southern Lebanese city of Tyre as tensions with the Iran-backed group Hezbollah continue to intensify amid renewed cross-border fighting. The Israeli military said it was launching fresh operations in Tyre and nearby areas, accusing Hezbollah of violating a US-mediated ceasefire that took effect five weeks ago. Israeli forces warned civilians to leave the area, saying they were “compelled to act forcefully” against Hezbollah positions. Lebanese media reported that Israeli air strikes targeted several locations in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley on Wednesday. An Israeli strike in the town of Burj al-Shamali, near Tyre, killed at least 15 people, while three others were reportedly killed in Choukine. Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed it was engaged in clashes with Israeli troops north of the Litani River, around 30 kilometres from the Israeli border. The group has also accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement. The latest escalation follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement of an expanded ground operation after Hezbollah launched drone attacks targeting Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and civilians in northern Israel. The renewed fighting has raised concerns over ongoing diplomatic efforts involving the US, Israel and Iran to end the wider regional conflict. Iran has insisted that any agreement should also address the situation in Lebanon, while Israel says it will continue military operations against Hezbollah threats. The conflict intensified on 2 March after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel following an Israeli strike that reportedly killed Iran’s supreme leader. Israel subsequently launched extensive air strikes across Lebanon and began a ground offensive. Despite the ceasefire that began on 16 April and was extended twice, both sides have continued exchanging fire. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, at least 3,213 people have been killed in Lebanon since the conflict began, although the figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel says 23 soldiers and four civilians have been killed during the same period. Source: BBC

Iran has condemned fresh US air strikes in southern Iran as a “gross violation” of the ceasefire, warning that Washington will face consequences for what Tehran described as “aggressive and unjustified actions” in the Hormozgan region along the Strait of Hormuz. The reaction came after the US Central Command (Centcom) said American forces carried out “self-defence strikes” on Monday targeting Iranian missile sites and boats allegedly attempting to place naval mines in the strategic waterway. Iran’s foreign ministry said the Islamic Republic “will not leave any evil unanswered” and vowed to defend the country against further attacks. According to US officials cited by American media, the strikes targeted areas near Bandar Abbas, a key southern port city and home to an Iranian naval base overlooking the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media earlier reported explosions in the area, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later claimed it had shot down a US drone and fired on a fighter jet that entered Iranian airspace. The latest escalation has raised uncertainty over ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at extending the ceasefire reached on April 8 after weeks of conflict between Iran, the US and Israel. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations were continuing and a deal remained possible, although it could “take a few days.” Meanwhile, President Donald Trump signalled mixed messages over the talks, first suggesting an agreement was near before later urging negotiators not to rush. US media reports said discussions are centred on a possible memorandum of understanding that could include a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and further negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran acknowledged some progress in the talks but said an agreement was “not imminent.” One of the major sticking points reportedly involves Tehran’s demand for the release of frozen Iranian funds held abroad. The negotiations have largely been mediated by Pakistan, while Iranian officials have also been engaged in discussions with Qatari mediators in Doha. Reuters reported that Iran’s central bank governor joined Monday’s meetings, where talks focused on frozen assets, Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has restricted access through the crucial shipping route since the conflict began on February 28. The Strait of Hormuz carries around one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, and disruptions there have contributed to rising global energy prices. The US, Israel and Western allies accuse Iran of enriching uranium to develop nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful purposes. Source: BBC

Fierce clashes erupted Tuesday between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group along Lebanon’s strategic Litani River as Israeli troops attempted to advance farther north, days before Lebanese and Israeli military officials are scheduled to hold direct talks in Washington. The renewed fighting has further weakened an already fragile ceasefire brokered by Washington more than a month ago. The situation also threatens wider regional peace efforts linked to the ongoing Iran conflict, with Tehran insisting that any broader truce must also include Lebanon. The Litani River has long served as an unofficial dividing line in southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops still control large areas despite the ceasefire agreement. Tensions escalated after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized intensified military operations against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon. The Israeli military said it carried out overnight strikes on more than 100 Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley, targeting what it described as weapons storage facilities, command centers and observation posts used in attacks on Israeli troops and northern Israeli communities. According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, one Israeli airstrike on the eastern village of Mashghara killed at least 12 people, including several members of the same family. An Israeli security official, speaking anonymously in line with military regulations, said an additional battalion had been deployed to Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for multiple rocket, artillery and explosive drone attacks targeting Israeli troops and military vehicles near the Litani River, particularly around the Nabatieh-area villages of Yohmor al-Shaqif and Zawtar al-Sharqieh. Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV reported that the group had repelled Israeli advances along the riverbanks. Israel has also intensified strikes in and around Nabatieh city, located north of the Litani River, and on Tuesday warned residents to evacuate the area. Although Beirut has largely avoided direct strikes since the ceasefire began, the latest escalation has heightened fears among residents. “Just a few words from Netanyahu on television are enough to make people panic and flee their homes,” said Tony Aboud, a resident of Beirut’s Hamra district. “We don’t know what will happen or how long we can continue living like this.”

Rashid Al-Mohanadi, vice president of the Center for International Policy Research, says there are signs that negotiations are moving in a “positive direction” to end the US-Israel war on Iran. However, he warned that “anything can go wrong” as tensions remain high. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Al-Mohanadi said the discussions are centred on a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which would establish a framework and open the door for 60 days of negotiations. “I do believe they might even need more than 60 days because many of these topics are highly technical,” he said. He also noted that post-conflict dynamics could complicate the process, as both sides are portraying themselves as victims, making longer negotiations more difficult. #By Al Jazeera 

Iran has executed a man for alleged espionage and intelligence cooperation with Israel, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency. The executed individual was identified as Gholamreza Khani Shekarab. He was hanged after his death sentence was upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court, the report said. The execution comes amid a continuing series of similar cases. Since the US and Israel’s war on Iran began on February 28, Tehran has reportedly executed several individuals convicted on charges of spying for Israel. Human rights organisations have strongly criticised the recent spate of hangings in Iran. Rights activists have long accused Iran of being the world’s second most prolific executioner after China. Authorities in Iran have not provided additional details regarding the specific allegations in Shekarab’s case beyond the reported espionage charges, according to the media report. Source : Al Jazeera 

The Israeli military has claimed that it conducted overnight strikes on more than 100 targets across Lebanon, including the Bekaa Valley and several areas in southern Lebanon. In a statement, the military said the attacks hit weapons depots, observation posts and command centres allegedly used by Hezbollah. It further confirmed that a series of strikes were also carried out in the Mashghara area. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that at least 12 people were killed in the Mashghara strikes, media says. The Israeli military did not immediately provide details on casualties or damage, but said the operations were part of its ongoing actions against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Source: Al Jazeera 

Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for the destruction of 10 buildings in Beirut for every explosive drone launched by Hezbollah, saying Israel must “put an end to the threat of Hezbollah’s explosive drones.” Smotrich noted that a special budget of around 2 billion shekels (about $692 million) was approved earlier this week for developing technological solutions to counter the drone threat. Lapid calls emerging US-Iran deal ‘bad for region’ Referring to the killing of an Israeli soldier in a Hezbollah drone strike in southern Lebanon, the Religious Zionist Party leader said, “For every explosive drone, 10 buildings must fall in Beirut. The response to a significant threat must be significant.” He further said, “You don’t counter a strategic threat with shielding alone, but by changing the rules and the equation. We cannot shield ourselves forever. Only exacting a deterrent and disproportionate price from the enemy will reshape the equation against our foes on all fronts,” in a post on X. With inputs from Al Jazeera

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on Monday criticised the emerging US-Iran deal, calling it “bad for Israel, bad for the region, bad for the citizens of Iran” and accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to influence Washington on the negotiations. Lapid said the proposed agreement does not meet Israel’s objectives in the war launched by Israel and the United States on February 28. The two allies had vowed to dismantle Iran’s ballistic missile programme, curb its support for regional proxy groups and prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb. Emerging US-Iran deal may end war, reopen Strait of Hormuz According to regional officials, the deal under discussion would require Iran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for ending a US blockade on Iranian ports and lifting sanctions. Key issues regarding Iran’s nuclear programme would be negotiated during a 60-day period. While expressing gratitude to US President Donald Trump for backing Israel in the war, Lapid said Netanyahu had little influence over the negotiations. Lapid, head of the centrist Yesh Atid party, has allied again with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett ahead of elections due by October. He also ruled out forming a coalition with Arab parties and said a two-state solution with the Palestinians was unlikely in the coming years following the October 7 Hamas attacks and subsequent wars.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons as negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear programme continue. “We are ready to reassure the world that we are not seeking nuclear weapons,” Pezeshkian said, according to local media. However, the Iranian president stressed that the country’s negotiating team would not make any compromise on Iran’s “honour and dignity” during the ongoing talks. Possible US-Iran deal takes shape as Trump claims progress in talks Meanwhile, the Iranian army said it had shot down an Israeli surveillance drone in Hormozgan province. According to media, the wreckage of a destroyed Orbiter drone was recovered with the assistance of Iranian naval forces. There was no immediate comment from Israel on the incident. With inputs from Al Jazeera

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said “significant progress” has been achieved in negotiations with Iran, although important issues still need to be resolved. Rubio’s remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump said an agreement with Iran had been “largely negotiated,” including plans to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping route. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the “final aspects and details of the deal” were still under discussion and would be announced soon. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei cautioned that recent convergence between Tehran and Washington does not necessarily mean the two sides have reached agreements on major issues. According to reports, Iran and the United States had initially agreed to a two-week ceasefire, which was later extended to allow more time for peace negotiations. The latest comments reflect cautious optimism surrounding the talks, despite continuing disagreements over key matters between the two countries. Source: BBC