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Israel Strikes Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon Foes after Attacks

Smoke rises from a building hit by an Israeli strike in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on July 20, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
Smoke rises from a building hit by an Israeli strike in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on July 20, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
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Israel Strikes Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon Foes after Attacks

Smoke rises from a building hit by an Israeli strike in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on July 20, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
Smoke rises from a building hit by an Israeli strike in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on July 20, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)

The Middle East was reeling Sunday from deadly violence with Israel bombing Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen in quick succession in response to attacks from Iran-backed militant groups.
Despite Washington's top diplomat asserting a deal is near the "goal line" to end more than nine months of devastating war between Israel and Gaza rulers Hamas, the Israeli military said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, as it pressed on with its offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory, Agence France Presse reported.
Dozens have been killed since Saturday across the Gaza Strip, the civil defense agency said, including in strikes on homes in the central Nuseirat and Bureij areas and displaced people near southern Khan Yunis.
Residents said a major operation was underway in the district of Rafah in the south, reporting heavy artillery and clashes.
The deadly strikes in Gaza came hours after Hezbollah and its ally Hamas said they fired at Israeli positions from south Lebanon, while Yemen's Houthi group vowed to respond to Israeli warplanes hitting a key port.
The fire left raging by the strikes on Hodeida port "is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said.
Detailing the first strikes claimed by Israel in Yemen, Gallant warned of further operations if the Houthis "dare to attack us" after a Houthi drone strike killed one in Tel Aviv on Friday.
In Hodeida three people were killed and 87 wounded, health officials said in a statement carried by Houthi media.
Netanyahu travels to Washington
The trio of militant groups has vowed to keep up attacks on Israel until a truce ends the violence in Gaza, which lies in ruins, with most residents forced to flee their homes.
The Gaza war was triggered by Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,195 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.
The militants also seized 251 hostages, 116 of whom are still in Gaza, including 42 the Israeli military says are dead.
Israel's military retaliation to wipe out Hamas has killed at least 38,919 people, also mostly civilians, according to data from the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
The war has also unleashed hunger and health crises in Gaza, with Israel and the United Nations trading blame for vital aid supplies failing to reach those in need.
After the detection of poliovirus in Gaza sewage, though no individual cases, the World Health Organization said there were "monumental" constraints to mounting a timely response.
WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said Friday the agency believes many more diseases are "spreading out of control" inside Gaza.
The premier is due to address US lawmakers Wednesday in Washington, where he will be under pressure to reach a ceasefire with Hamas.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday a truce was within reach.
"I believe we're... driving toward the goal line in getting an agreement that would produce a ceasefire, get the hostages home, and put us on a better track to trying to build lasting peace and stability," he said.

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Arab World

Iraqi Government Seeks to Keep Country Out of Iran War Fallout

Al-Sudani chairs a meeting of the National Security Council (Prime Minister’s Office Media).
Al-Sudani chairs a meeting of the National Security Council (Prime Minister’s Office Media).
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Iraqi Government Seeks to Keep Country Out of Iran War Fallout

Al-Sudani chairs a meeting of the National Security Council (Prime Minister’s Office Media).
Al-Sudani chairs a meeting of the National Security Council (Prime Minister’s Office Media).

The government of outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani is working to distance Iraq from the escalating US-Israel war on Iran.

Tehran has responded to the military operation launched by the US and Israel with missile strikes on Gulf states and other locations, including Iraq, saying it is targeting American bases and interests.

Although Iraq has not been directly drawn into the conflict - unlike during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), the 1990–1991 Gulf War, or the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein - fear is mounting as the country risks being caught between Iran and its local allies and the broader confrontation involving Washington and Tel Aviv.

There are also concerns that any disruption to Gulf shipping lanes could significantly curtail Iraq’s oil revenues.

Al-Sudani, who also serves as commander in chief of the armed forces, chaired on Monday an emergency meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security, according to a statement from his office.

The premier instructed security agencies to prevent any actions that could undermine stability and to ensure that Iraq is not dragged into the conflict. Still, some observers say the government has been unable to stop missile attacks on Iraqi territory.

The government reiterated its commitment to protecting diplomatic missions and critical infrastructure, while affirming that freedom of expression and peaceful assembly remain constitutionally protected rights.

The statement stressed that security forces will continue safeguarding citizens, diplomatic facilities and public and private property, in line with national laws and international obligations.

The remarks appeared to reference attempts Sunday evening by groups linked to Iran-aligned armed factions to approach the US Embassy in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone. Security forces stopped them from reaching the compound.

The council added that Iraq remains committed to preventing escalation and ensuring its territory is not used for external or internal conflicts, underscoring that decisions on national security and military action lie solely with the state and its constitutional institutions.

The council also reviewed the potential economic fallout of a prolonged and expanding conflict, particularly the risks associated with a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The bulk of Iraq’s oil exports pass through the Gulf en route to the strategic waterway.

Given the country’s heavy dependence on oil income, any sustained disruption to maritime traffic would pose a serious threat to Iraq’s already fragile economy.

Arab World

At Least 30,000 Displaced People in Shelters in Lebanon, Says UN Refugee Agency

Displaced residents from the southern suburbs sit along Corniche Al Manara in Beirut, Lebanon, 02 March 2026, after fleeing their homes following Israeli strikes. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Displaced residents from the southern suburbs sit along Corniche Al Manara in Beirut, Lebanon, 02 March 2026, after fleeing their homes following Israeli strikes. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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At Least 30,000 Displaced People in Shelters in Lebanon, Says UN Refugee Agency

Displaced residents from the southern suburbs sit along Corniche Al Manara in Beirut, Lebanon, 02 March 2026, after fleeing their homes following Israeli strikes. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Displaced residents from the southern suburbs sit along Corniche Al Manara in Beirut, Lebanon, 02 March 2026, after fleeing their homes following Israeli strikes. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

At least 30,000 displaced people have sought protection in shelters in Lebanon since hostilities between Israel and ‌Hezbollah began ‌on Monday, ‌the United ⁠Nations refugee agency ⁠said on Tuesday.

"Conservative estimates suggest that nearly 30,000 people were ⁠hosted and ‌registered ‌at collective shelters," ‌said UNHCR spokesperson ‌Babar Baloch.

"Many more slept in their cars on ‌the side of roads or ⁠were still ⁠stuck in traffic jams on the roads," he added.

Israel launched more strikes on Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia group. Explosions could be heard and smoke seen in a southern suburb of Beirut.

Israel also said its soldiers were “operating in southern Lebanon.”

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the Lebanese army was evacuating some of its positions along the border.

Arab World

Lebanese President Says Ban on Hezbollah’s Military Activity ‘Irreversible’

President Aoun meets with members of the Quintet at the presidential palace on Tuesday. (Lebanese Presidency)
President Aoun meets with members of the Quintet at the presidential palace on Tuesday. (Lebanese Presidency)
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Lebanese President Says Ban on Hezbollah’s Military Activity ‘Irreversible’

President Aoun meets with members of the Quintet at the presidential palace on Tuesday. (Lebanese Presidency)
President Aoun meets with members of the Quintet at the presidential palace on Tuesday. (Lebanese Presidency)

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun said Tuesday that the decision to ban Hezbollah's military activities is "irreversible", as the Iran-backed movement claimed responsibility for new attacks targeting Israeli positions.

Speaking to members of the Quintet -- a committee made up of the French, US, Qatari, Saudi Arabian, and Egyptian ambassadors -- the president called the decision "final," after a Hezbollah statement on Monday night lambasted the state's "impotence in the face of the brutal Zionist enemy".

Aoun urged the Quintet members to "pressure Israel to stop its aggressions against Lebanon" as Israel continued launching intense strikes and authorized its troops to "take control of additional strategic positions in Lebanon".