Middle East Conflict: Israel Strikes Iran; US, EU Sanction Violent West Bank Settlers

Ambulances enter bombed area in Iran: Arab report

Ambulances were seen entering the area that was struck by an Israeli strike Friday, Sky News in Arabic reported, citing Iranian sources.

Israel has yet to officially confirm it struck inside Iran, but multiple senior U.S. officials have confirmed the attack to American news outlets.

US official says Washington 'not surprised' by Israeli retaliation: Report

The U.S. government was "not surprised" by Israel's strike inside Iran Friday, Axios reported, citing a senior U.S. official.

The retaliatory strike came after Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles toward Israel Saturday, which were largely intercepted by Israel and its allies, including the U.S. and UK.

Israel, Iran ready to deescalate: Analysts

Israel and Iran are ready to de-escalate tensions for now, analysts predicted, following the Israeli strike inside Iran Friday. Still, the situation remains tense since Isfahan, where blasts were reported, is known for its key atomic installations.

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Lufthansa suspends Israel, Iraq flights

German airline Lufthansa on Friday announced it has suspended flights to Israel and Iraq through early Saturday amid tensions in the region.

The airline has already suspended flights to Iran through the end of April.

Hostages' families block Highway 1

The loved ones and supporters of some 130 hostages still being held in Gaza have staged a demonstration that blocked a main highway toward Jerusalem Friday, Israel's national broadcaster Kan reported. They called for a deal to free the hostages, saying the abductees are "running out of time."

Hostages' families have been calling for the release of the abductees in multiple protests across the country. They have also questioned the Netanyahu government's handling of ceasefire talks that have since stalled due to escalated tensions in the region.

US not involved in offensive actions against Iran: Blinken

The U.S. "has not been involved in any offensive operations" against Iran, Blinken said Friday after being pressed regarding the reported Israeli attack in Iran.

This comes after a U.S. official confirmed to CNN that Israel did carry out a strike inside Iranian territory early Friday.

US sanctions West bank settlers' violence fundraisers

The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday sanctioned two entities "for their roles in establishing fundraising campaigns on behalf of" two "violent extremists" which the department previously sanctioned due to violence in the West Bank.

"Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich generated tens of thousands of dollars for extremists responsible for destroying property, assaulting civilians, and violence against Palestinians," said Wally Adeyemo, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.

PIJ battalion commander assassinated by IDF: Reports

The commander of a battalion in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) was killed by Israeli forces in the Nur al-Shams area in the West Bank Friday, local Channel 12 reported, citing a Palestinian report.

The Jerusalem Post identified the battalion commander as Abu Shujaiya.

The Palestinian faction, a Hamas ally, has yet to deny or confirm the reports.

Houthi attacks preventing aid from reaching destinations: Blinken

The U.S. Secretary of State on Friday said attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels against merchant ships in the Red Sea "are preventing food and medicine from reaching vulnerable populations."

He said the G7 members have reaffirmed their commitment to defending navigation freedom in the area.

EU sanctions West Bank settlers for 'serious human rights abuses'

The European Union on Friday announced new sanctions on four individuals and two entities who are "responsible for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians, including torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" and for violating property rights, privacy, and family life of Palestinians in the territory.

US told G7 that it received a 'last minute' heads up from Israel regarding Iran attack: Italian FM

Tajani on Friday said Washington informed G7 foreign ministers that it was "informed at the last minute" by Israel regarding the strike in Iran earlier in the day. He clarified that "there was no sharing of the attack by the U.S." and it was "a mere information," as per AP.

Iran indicates it won't retaliate, downplays Israeli attack

The Iranian government on Friday downplayed what U.S. officials said was an Israeli airstrike in Isfahan, central Iran earlier in the day. A senior Iranian official also told Reuters that so far, there were no plans to respond to Israel after the strike.

"The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack," the official said.

For some geopolitical experts, the statement could be a signal that Iran is choosing to back down from escalating tensions further.

US effectively blocks Palestinian state recognition at UN

The United States has stopped the United Nations from technically recognizing Palestinian statehood by vetoing a draft resolution that proposed Palestine be admitted for a full membership into the world body.

Majority of the council members voted in favor of the draft text, while Britain and Switzerland abstained. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Washington's move was "unfair, unethical, and unjustified."

"The United States continues to strongly support a two-state solution. This vote does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood, but instead is an acknowledgement that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties," said deputy U.S. ambassador to the UN Robert Wood said.

UKMTO issues 72-hour security notice in Middle East seas

The UKMTO on Friday requested commercial ships across Middle Eastern waters to report "any suspicious activity, and UAS (unmanned aircraft system) activity" as the British maritime activity monitor said it was made aware of "media reports of an Israeli military strike against Iran."

It said merchant vessels transiting the Arabian Gulf and the Western Indian Ocean may observe increased drone activity in the region. The notice is valid for 72 hours, and another update will be released should "increased threat" endure.

Israel strikes Hezbollah building in southern Lebanon

An Israeli Air Force (IAF) aircraft attacked a building in the Ayta ash-Shab area in southern Lebanon Friday after it was determined that Hezbollah terrorists were staying in the said facility, the IDF said.

G7 committed to deescalating Middle East tensions: Blinken

The Group of 7 (G7), which includes some of the world's largest economies, is "committed to Israel's security" but it was also "committed to de-escalating" tensions in the Middle East.

He also reiterated that even as Israel-Iran tensions have become the focus of the world in recent days, the G7 remains "intensely focused on Gaza," where the Israel-Hamas war rages on more than six months since it started.

US official tells CNN Israel carried out Iran strike

A U.S. official has confirmed to CNN that Israel carried out a military strike within Iran earlier Friday, which could potentially drive tensions in the region to a more dangerous high.

Iranian state media reported three explosions in Isfahan, a central province. The explosions triggered air defense systems in several Iranian cities, as per state media.