3:26 p.m. – Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon begin
Israel and Lebanon have launched a new session of discussions in Washington to achieve rapprochement, according to diplomats, as a ceasefire expires.
This third cycle of discussions, which should last two days, began shortly after 9:00 a.m. local time at the State Department, according to a diplomat close to the matter.
3:21 p.m. – New flotilla for Gaza from Turkey
A news “Gaza Flotilla” made up of around fifty boats left the Turkish port of Marmaris (southwest) at midday, the organizers announced. This is the third attempt to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory of Gaza since October 7, 2023.
“About fifty boats left Marmaris about an hour ago.” one of the coordinators of the Globalm Sumud (GSF) flotilla, Gorkem Duru, announced to AFP. “They are currently on their way to Gaza.”.
1:58 p.m. – Tehran allows Chinese ships to pass through Hormuz
The Iranian Tasnim agency announced that the Iranian naval forces had authorized the passage of “several ships” Chinese in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Following a decision by the Islamic Republic, several Chinese ships were allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under transit protocols managed by Iran.â€reports the agency.
1:56 p.m. – Palestinian president promises to hold elections
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas promised to organize elections, without giving a date, during the congress of his party, Fatah, in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank.
“We are preparing to organize legislative and presidential elections”declared Mahmoud Abbas, 90 years old and in office for more than 20 years, also promising reforms.
12:19 p.m. – Iran accuses UAE of playing active role in war
Iran’s foreign minister accuses UAE of playing role “Active” alongside the United States and Israel in the war against Iran.
“The United Arab Emirates is an active partner of the aggression (against Iran)there is no doubt about it.”declared Abbas Araghchi at the summit of the Brics countries in India. “It is now clear that they participated in these attacks, perhaps even that they acted directly against us.”.
He also referred to the meeting, described as “Secretly” by Israel, between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the President of the Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and whose holding Abu Dhabi denies.
11:17 a.m. – Israeli army announces several civilians injured
A drone attack by the pro-Iranian movement Hezbollah injured several civilians in northern Israel, the Israeli army announced, a few hours before the resumption of talks in Washington between representatives of Israel and Lebanon.
“An explosive drone launched by the terrorist organization Hezbollah fell on Israeli territory, near the Israeli-Lebanese border.”a déclaré l’armée. “Several Israeli civilians were injured and evacuated to hospital for treatment.”.
11 h 06 – Trump and Xi affirm that Hormuz «doit rester ouvert»
American President Donald Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping expressed during their summit in Beijing their convergence of views on the fact that the Strait of Hormuz should « rester ouvert »indicated the White House.
“Both sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open to ensure the free flow of energy products.”said the White House.
10:30 a.m. – Israel announces new strikes targeting Hezbollah
The Israeli army announced that it had launched a new wave of strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, while Israeli and Lebanese negotiators are due to meet in Washington at the end of the day.
In this press release, the army called on the inhabitants of around ten villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate before bombings. Clashes continued almost daily between Israel and pro-Iranian Hezbollah despite the ceasefire that came into force in mid-April, and which expires in a few days.
9 h 29 – A ship docked near Hormuz
A ship was boarded by unidentified individuals off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, near the Strait of Hormuz, and is currently heading towards Iranian territorial waters, the British maritime security agency announced.
The ship was “boarded by unauthorized personnel while at anchorâ€38 nautical miles (about 70 kilometers) northeast of Fujairah, and “Now heading towards Iranian territorial waters”according to a message posted on the UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations) X account.
9 h 02 – Xi and Trump ont discuté du Moyen-Orient
Chinese and US Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump discussed the situation in the Middle East, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula at their summit in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Affairs said.
“The two heads of state exchanged views on major international and regional issues, including the situation in the Middle East, the crisis in Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula.”they said without further details.
8:56 a.m. – 10 new deaths in strikes in Lebanon
Lebanese authorities announced Wednesday evening that 10 more people had been killed Wednesday in Israeli strikes in the south of the country, bringing the day’s toll to at least 22 dead.
The Lebanese health ministry said six people, “including three children and two wives”were killed in the town of Arab Salim, while another child was killed in a strike in Harouf and three other people, “including two children”were killed in Roumin. The three locations are in southern Lebanon.
8 h 45 – Deux hommes exécutés en Iran
Two men have been hanged in Iran, one convicted of links to Israeli intelligence and the other of killing a police officer during anti-government protests, according to authorities and human rights groups.
These are the latest executions since the start of the war in the Middle East. Arrests and executions have since multiplied in the country.
“Ehsan Afreshteh, a spy trained by the Mossad in Nepal and who sold sensitive information to Israel, was executed”indicated Mizan, the press organ of the judiciary. “Arrested and tried for espionage and collaboration with the Zionist regime, he was hanged this morning (Wednesday) after (…) the confirmation of the verdict by the Supreme Courtâ€added Iranian justice.
8:37 a.m. – Abu Dhabi denies Netanyahu visit
The Abu Dhabi authorities have denied reports of a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or an Israeli military delegation to the United Arab Emirates.
“The United Arab Emirates denies reports circulating about an alleged visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Emirates, or the reception of any Israeli military delegation in the country.”specified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release Wednesday evening.
