At 3:53 p.m. – Four dead in Gaza in an Israeli strike
Four people, including a child, were killed in an Israeli strike in the northern Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian territory’s civil defense. The area has been ravaged by a two-year war between Israel and the Hamas Islamist movement. Several others were injured and taken to the hospital after an Israeli airstrike hit a police vehicle in Gaza City, according to Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for the first aid organization operating under Hamas authority. The child killed, Yahya Al-Mallahi, was three years old, and the hospital confirmed receiving the victims’ bodies. The Israeli army stated that it is currently verifying these reports.
At 3:26 p.m. – First Red Cross shipments arrive in Iran
For the first time since the start of the Middle East war, the international Red Cross movement announced that it has successfully delivered emergency aid convoys to Iran by road, crossing the Turkish border. Tommaso Della Longa, a spokesperson for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), described the deliveries as crucial due to disruptions in humanitarian supply chains to Iran in recent weeks.
At 3:10 p.m. – Middle East growth affected by war
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has significantly lowered its growth forecasts for the Middle East and North Africa region after the war between Iran, the United States, and Israel escalated in the Gulf. The IMF anticipates a 1.1% growth in 2026, down from 3.2% in 2025. This slowdown varies among countries based on the extent of infrastructure damage, energy and transport dependency, and availability of alternative export routes.
At 2:37 p.m. – Two Iranian ships cross the Strait of Hormuz
At least two ships from Iranian ports crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, defying the US military blockade. The vessels, Christianna and Elpis, carried cargo and successfully crossed the strait amidst tensions in the region.
At 1:36 p.m. – Macron calls for negotiations between Iran and the US
French President Emmanuel Macron urged Iranian and American leaders to resume interrupted negotiations in Islamabad to avoid further escalation and clarify misunderstandings, emphasizing the importance of strictly respecting the ceasefire.
These are the key highlights of the recent developments in the Middle East as tensions continue to rise and diplomatic efforts are made to ease the situation.
