Hundreds of thousands in southern Lebanon ordered to evacuate by Israeli military
The Israeli military has issued an evacuation order for the entire southern suburbs of Beirut, specifically the Dahiyeh area, which it identifies as a Hezbollah stronghold.
Population estimates for this area vary, ranging from 300,000 to 700,000 residents. This marks the first occasion that the Israeli military has commanded such a large portion of the Lebanese capital to evacuate, whereas previously, orders were limited to individual buildings targeted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, stated that the evacuation order encompasses four major neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs: Bourj el-Barajneh, Hadath, Haret Hreik, and Shiyyah.
"Save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately,"
"Beware, heading south is prohibited. Any southward movement could endanger your lives.
"We will inform you of the safe time to return to your homes."
Israeli military orders tens of thousands to evacuate homes in Lebanon
The evacuation order issued on Thursday affects tens of thousands of residents in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Avichay Adraee reiterated the urgency, stating,
"Save your lives, evacuate your homes immediately,"and warned that any movement southward
"may put your lives at risk."
Marianne Samaha, representing the relief organization Basmeh and Zeitooneh, reported that official figures indicate over 80,000 people have registered as displaced as of Wednesday. However, aid workers estimate the actual number to be closer to 180,000, as many displaced individuals are not residing in collective shelters.
Samaha described the situation on the ground, noting that entire families remain stranded on roads seeking shelter. Some have found temporary refuge in government-opened schools, with extended family, or in informal settings, but many continue to sleep on the streets or in vehicles.
Even those accommodated in collective shelters face shortages of essential items such as mattresses, mats, pillows, and blankets.
Death toll in Lebanon rises to 102
Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that 102 people have died and 638 have been wounded due to Israeli strikes that began on Monday, according to the state-run Lebanese National News Agency.
On Thursday, the Israeli military announced that the Israeli Navy killed Wasim Attallah Ali, a Hamas commander, near Tripoli. has not independently verified this claim or the casualty figures provided by Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health.
Regarding the US proposal to involve Kurdish fighters in the conflict with Iran, H A Hellyer, senior associate fellow for geopolitics and security at the Royal United Services Institute, warned of significant risks. He stated at a Chatham House seminar in London that such a move could fragment Iraq and escalate regional tensions.
"I’ve never seen such a resounding opposition to a policy idea in Washington from all sides of the political spectrum as I have when it came to this particular idea,"Hellyer said.
A US official familiar with recent discussions confirmed that Washington is prepared to provide air support if Kurdish fighters cross from northern Iraq into Iran. Khalil Nadiri, an official with the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), stated that US officials have contacted Kurdish opposition leaders about a potential operation, with some forces positioned near the Iranian border in Sulaymaniyah province on standby.
Hellyer cautioned that involving Kurdish forces risks drawing in other regional actors such as Turkey and could ignite unrest among ethnic groups within Iran, including Azeris and Baluchis.
"All of this, I think, is very risky, very dangerous, and the next order consequences could be very serious indeed,"he said.
Nechirvan Barzani, president of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, referenced the ongoing conflict in a social media statement commemorating the 35th anniversary of the 1991 Kurdish uprising.
"In this commemoration, we reiterate that the Kurdistan region, as always, must remain a key factor in peace and stability and must not become part of any conflict or military escalation that harms the lives and security of our fellow citizens,"Barzani posted.
"Protecting the territorial integrity of the Kurdistan region and our constitutional achievements can only be achieved through the unity, cohesion, and shared national responsibility of all political forces and components in Kurdistan."
Pakistani man on trial in Brooklyn for Trump assassination plot claims coercion by Iran
A Pakistani businessman accused of plotting to assassinate former US President Donald Trump testified on Wednesday that he was coerced into the plot by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, which allegedly threatened his family to secure his involvement.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Wednesday that the individual who led the assassination plot was killed in airstrikes on Iran.
The plot, dating back to 2024, involved 51-year-old Iranian national Farhad Shakeri and two New York men charged with running a murder-for-hire operation on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. The motive was retaliation for Trump’s 2020 killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Oil prices have continued rising amid the ongoing Middle East crisis. Iran announced it is halting all traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor for oil and gas. US President Donald Trump has sought to reassure constituents and businesses, pledging US naval escort for ships and risk insurance coverage, as many insurers have raised premiums or canceled policies.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also reassured Americans on fuel prices, stating,
"The Trump Administration will continue to unleash American energy dominance, and tap into our newfound oil in Venezuela."
Developments today
Azerbaijan responded strongly to an alleged drone strike in the Nakhchivan region near the Iranian border. Despite Iran’s denial of involvement, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev ordered the armed forces to be at "the highest level of readiness" for potential retaliation and summoned Iran’s ambassador to the foreign ministry in Baku.
Iran claimed to have struck a US oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf, stating the vessel was on fire. There was no immediate confirmation or comment from US officials. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserted full control over the Strait of Hormuz, effectively closing it to oil and gas exports.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey visited Cyprus to address diplomatic tensions following a drone attack on an RAF base. UK officials believe the drone, launched by pro-Iranian militias in Lebanon or western Iraq, evaded detection by flying low and slow.
Iran continued missile attacks on Israel, forcing millions into bomb shelters shortly after US congressional moves to limit Donald Trump’s war powers were blocked. Gulf countries faced ongoing fallout: six people were injured in Abu Dhabi from debris after air defenses intercepted a drone; Qatar urged residents to remain indoors during air defense operations; Bahrain’s Ministry of Defence reported intercepting 75 missiles and 123 drones since the conflict began.
The Israeli military announced a new wave of attacks targeting Tehran and strikes on Beirut aimed at Hezbollah. Lebanese state media reported an Israeli drone strike killed a Hamas official.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed over a dozen attacks on health infrastructure in Iran amid the US-Israeli campaign, with four healthcare workers killed and 25 injured.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s press conference highlights
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the nation regarding the escalating Middle East conflict, emphasizing his decision not to join US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Starmer advocated for a negotiated settlement as the best path forward for Iran and global stability.
Responding to questions about former President Trump’s claim to have "ruined the special relationship," Starmer stated it remains operational and that both leaders must make appropriate decisions for their respective countries.
The UK is deploying four additional Typhoon jets to Qatar and Wildcat helicopters with anti-drone capabilities to Cyprus. Starmer confirmed US use of British airfields for defensive missions and noted HMS Dragon is en route to the Mediterranean.
The first charter flight from Oman departed today, with over 4,000 people repatriated to the UK from the UAE on commercial flights. A repatriation flight from Oman scheduled for the previous night was delayed due to operational issues.
Starmer clarified there was no US request to use UK bases until Saturday afternoon, and no decision was needed before that. The US-Israeli strikes on Iran began Saturday morning.
More than 2,000 people arrived in the UK on Wednesday via eight flights from the UAE, with eight additional flights expected. British Airways agreed to operate daily flights from Muscat following government discussions.
Criticism arose from MPs including Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, who questioned the failure of the first UK-chartered repatriation flight from Oman and why the Iranian ambassador was not expelled after being summoned to the Foreign Office.
"This situation is shameful and embarrassing and never in the history of this great nation has government been so feeble when our people are under assault,"Patel said.
Labour MPs, including Adam Jogee, praised the government’s response but highlighted constituents facing flight cancellations and high accommodation costs while stranded. Jogee urged the government to prevent exploitation by airlines and travel agents.
The WHO reported 13 verified attacks on healthcare facilities in Iran and one in Lebanon, with four healthcare workers killed and 25 injured. Ambulances and hospitals suffered damage due to nearby strikes. The WHO logistics hub in Dubai is temporarily out of service due to regional transport restrictions.
Azerbaijani president orders armed forces to prepare for highest combat readiness
Following the alleged drone strike in the Nakhchivan region, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev convened a security meeting and declared that any hostile force would face the full strength of Azerbaijan’s "Iron Fist."
Iran denied involvement in the drone attacks, but Aliyev condemned the act as terrorism and summoned Iran’s ambassador.
"Those responsible must be brought to justice without delay,"Aliyev said.
"The Iranian side must provide an official explanation to Azerbaijan, issue an apology, and ensure that the perpetrators are held criminally accountable."
He confirmed that Azerbaijani armed forces are at the highest level of combat readiness and prepared for any necessary operations.
"We will not tolerate this unprovoked act of terror and aggression against Azerbaijan,"Aliyev stated.
US lawmaker supports continued targeting of Iranian leadership
In the US, Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a war powers resolution that would have required former President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval before continuing military actions against Iran. The vote was largely along party lines, with Democrat John Fetterman of Pennsylvania as the sole dissenter.
Prior to the vote, Fetterman expressed support for US-Israeli strikes on Iran, emphasizing national interest over party politics.
"What I’m trying to establish is that every single senator in the Congress says we should never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. That now has made that possible after that. And now they’ve eliminated this leadership,"Fetterman said.
When asked about Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s statement that any Iranian leader appointed by the regime would be targeted for elimination, Fetterman responded:
"Yeah just keep killing them until they’re gone,"adding his full support for targeting Iranian leadership until a peaceful and stable regional coexistence is achieved.
The US House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a similar measure later.
Azerbaijan vows response to drone attacks
Azerbaijan pledged retaliation following a drone attack on an airport in its territory, which it attributed to Iran. Iran denied involvement and blamed Israel.
The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry stated:
"The Islamic Republic of Iran bears the entire responsibility for the incident."
"These acts of aggression will not remain unanswered."
The ministry announced plans to prepare retaliatory measures and investigate the drone types used in the attack near the Nakhchivan exclave, which injured four people.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi denied targeting Nakhchivan, affirming that Iran does not target neighboring countries.
Images of damage at Azerbaijani airport and school after drone attack
News agencies have released images showing damage at Nakhchivan airport following the drone attack allegedly carried out by Iran, which Iran denies.
Azerbaijan reported one drone struck the terminal building at Nakhchivan airport, approximately six miles from the Iranian border, and another drone landed near a school in a nearby village.
The Associated Press published a photograph showing damage to a school in Julfa, about 20 miles south of the airport and less than two miles from the Iranian border at the Aras River.
Iran denies launching drone attack on Azerbaijan
Iranian armed forces officially denied launching drones toward Azerbaijan following reports of two drones entering Azerbaijani airspace near Nakhchivan.
The Iranian General Staff stated via the semi-official Tasnim news agency:
"The Islamic republic of Iran … denies its armed forces launched a drone toward the Republic of Azerbaijan."
They attributed the attack to Israel, asserting:
"Such actions by the Zionist regime to disrupt relations between Muslim countries through various means are well documented."
Iranian ship sunk by US was returning from Indian naval exercises
Officials in New Delhi reported that the Iranian warship sunk by a US submarine was returning home after participating in naval exercises hosted by India.
The Iris Dena sank in international waters off Sri Lanka’s coast following a US torpedo attack, resulting in over 80 fatalities. Sri Lankan authorities rescued 32 survivors, with many still missing.
India’s Defence Ministry confirmed the ship’s participation in the International Fleet Review and the multilateral naval exercise Milan 2026, held in Visakhapatnam from 15 to 25 February, involving 74 countries.
A second Iranian vessel, reportedly a logistical pipe-laying ship, was reported near Sri Lanka and sought emergency docking permission. It is believed to be within Sri Lankan sovereign waters.
Concerns in Cyprus over British sovereign base areas after RAF Akrotiri strike
British Defence Minister John Healey concluded discussions with Cypriot officials focusing on reinforcing air defenses following Sunday’s drone attack on RAF Akrotiri airbase.
The UK’s sovereign base areas in Cyprus, remnants of colonial rule, have long been contentious among Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The recent drone strike, which caused minor damage to the airbase’s landing strip, has heightened official concerns about the security risks posed by these facilities.
Local political and diplomatic leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the UK’s response, perceiving it as insufficient and delayed.
A senior official commented:
"There’s a sense of there being too little too late. There’s been a lot of talking at the highest level and the defense minister’s visit is part of that. But now we’ve gone beyond words. Now is a time for serious cooperation regarding the bases. Now is the time for action."
Bahrain air defenses intercept missiles and drones
The Bahrain Defence Force announced on Thursday that its air defenses have destroyed 75 missiles and 123 drones since the conflict began.
The General Command urged residents to remain indoors and avoid going out unless absolutely necessary.
