Israeli strikes kill Al Jazeera correspondent and two Lebanese journalists: report
Israeli strikes on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of an Al Jazeera correspondent in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera and local health officials, as well as two Lebanese journalists in Lebanon, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The Associated Press, citing sources, reported that Mohammed Wishah was targeted in a drone strike in west Gaza City. The Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, stated on X that Wishah was a member of Hamas, reposting a 2024 tweet describing him as a “prominent commander” in Hamas’s military wing, among other roles.
has not independently verified these claims.
Oil prices climb, stocks fall as ceasefire hangs in balance
Oil prices increased and stock markets declined amid concerns over the fragile US-Iran ceasefire, following a major bombardment of Lebanon by Israel. In the past two hours, Hezbollah announced it had fired rockets at northern Israel in response to alleged “ceasefire violations.”
Fears that the ceasefire could collapse while crude oil remains constrained at the Strait of Hormuz led West Texas Intermediate oil to rise approximately 3% on Thursday, after a drop of more than 16% the previous day. Brent crude increased by over 2% following a 13% decline.
Equity markets also relinquished some gains. Early trading in Asia saw marginal declines in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Seoul, and Taipei.
Independent analysts reported no change in maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, despite White House claims on Wednesday of increased ship transits since the US-announced ceasefire with Iran.
Maritime intelligence firm Windward reported that only 11 vessels passed through the strait on Wednesday, consistent with prior days.
Windward noted that all ships transiting the strait must coordinate safe passage with Iranian authorities, who are imposing tolls of up to $1 per barrel for outbound oil shipments, payable in cryptocurrency. For context, the largest supertankers can carry up to 3 million barrels of crude.
Additionally, Windward reported that Iranian radio broadcasts on Wednesday warned tankers in the Gulf that vessels transiting without approval would be targeted.
Welcome summary
Welcome to ’s ongoing coverage of the Middle East crisis.
The fragile two-week truce between the US and Iran was precarious on Thursday, with Tehran threatening to resume hostilities as Israel launched a major bombardment of Lebanon, killing at least 254 people, according to Lebanon’s Civil Defence.
This situation places the conditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz at risk. Iran has threatened to close the strategic chokepoint if Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue. Just before 4am on Thursday, Hezbollah reported firing rockets at northern Israel in response to “ceasefire violations.”
Both Washington and Tehran have claimed success in agreeing to the ceasefire, but tensions escalated quickly as Israel conducted its heaviest strikes on Lebanon, including central Beirut, since Hezbollah entered the conflict in early March.
The UN rights chief, Volker Turk, described the scale of casualties as “horrific,” noting that Israeli bombardment of Beirut occurred without warning, causing scenes of panic and devastation. The Red Cross expressed being “outraged by the devastating death and destruction” in densely populated areas across Lebanon.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned they would
“fulfil our duty and deliver a response”if Israel did not cease its strikes in Lebanon, while Hezbollah asserted it had a
“right” to respond.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel remains prepared to confront Iran if necessary, as it still has
“objectives to complete”. The Israeli military indicated it continues to pursue the goal of
“disarming” Hezbollah in Lebanon. US Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth also affirmed that US forces remain ready should the conflict escalate again.
This assertive rhetoric precedes high-stakes talks scheduled in Pakistan on Friday, where the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will be a key topic.
Iran announced alternative routes for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, citing risks from sea mines in the main channel. The statement included instructions for alternative entry and exit routes through the strait.
The Trump administration clarified on Wednesday that Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire agreement, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating
“that has been relayed to all parties”.
US Vice-President JD Vance also indicated that the US never promised to include Lebanon in the ceasefire, suggesting Iran’s belief otherwise may stem from a
“misunderstanding”. Israel announced on Wednesday that it does not consider Lebanon covered by the Iran-US truce.
Karoline Leavitt dismissed reports that former President Trump is working from the original 10-point plan proposed by Tehran, stating it was
“literally thrown in the garbage”by Trump. This contrasts with reports that the US received a 10-point proposal from Iran considered a
“workable basis on which to negotiate”. Leavitt claimed Iran actually presented a
“more reasonable and entirely different and condensed plan to the president”.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he has urged his US and Iranian counterparts, Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian, to include Lebanon in the ceasefire agreement. Australia’s foreign minister has made similar calls.
Donald Trump expressed frustration with NATO during a private meeting with its Secretary-General Mark Rutte, amid strained alliance relations. Rutte told CNN after spending over two hours at the White House,
“He is clearly disappointed with many Nato allies, and I can see his point. This was a very frank, very open discussion, but also a discussion between two good friends.”
Sir Keir Starmer continued his Middle East tour on Thursday after meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, as part of ongoing efforts with allies to bolster shipping confidence through the Strait of Hormuz.
