DIRECT. War in the Middle East: Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire

1:55 p.m. – Iran in discussions with European countries

Iran claimed that European countries were in discussions with Tehran to obtain authorizations to cross the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for global oil trade blocked since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East.

“After the passage of ships from East Asian countries, including China, Japan and Pakistan, today we received information that Europeans have started negotiations with the Revolutionary Guard Navy.” to cross the passage, announced state television without specifying the names of these countries.

12:23 p.m. – Israel confirms death of Hamas leader

The Israeli army confirmed having killed the head of the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, presented as one of the main architects of the attack of October 7, 2023, during a strike the day before in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army and the Shin Bet, domestic intelligence, « annoncent (…) que le terroriste Ezzedine al-Haddad a été éliminé »according to a press release, information also confirmed by Hamas officials. The Israeli Defense Ministry indicated on Friday that it had targeted this Hamas official, without confirming his death.

10:34 a.m. – Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army indicated that it had launched new strikes against pro-Iranian Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, despite the announcement the day before of the extension of the ceasefire.

“Israeli Defense Forces have begun hitting Hezbollah infrastructure in several areas of southern Lebanon.”a affirmé l’armée dans un communiqué.

9:57 a.m. – Strike hits building in Tire

An Israeli strike hit a building in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, following evacuation warnings for several buildings, Lebanese state media reported.

RECAP – The essential news of the night

– Lebanon welcomed the extension of the ceasefire with Israel for a period of 45 days, following a second day of Lebanese-Israeli talks in Washington, while demanding an independent mechanism and American guarantees.

– A Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed six peopleincluding three rescuers affiliated with the pro-Iranian Hezbollah, said the Lebanese Ministry of Health. A fourth rescuer was seriously injured.

– The Lebanese Prime Minister accused the pro-Iranian movement Hezbollah to have dragged Lebanon into a new guerre « irresponsable »calling for the support of Arab countries and more broadly of the international community in negotiations with Israel.

– The Israeli Defense Ministry announced that it had carried out a strike in Gaza targeting the head of the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

– Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, called for a strait of Hormuz « ouvert et sûr » during a brief visit to the United Arab Emirates, at a time when his country is facing the economic consequences of the conflict in the Middle East.