Middle East Conflict: Hamas Fires Missile Salvo Toward Israel From Hezbollah Stronghold In Lebanon

Lufthansa extends suspension of flights to Iran

German airline Lufthansa announced Monday that it will extend the suspension of its flights to Tehran through May 9 amid security concerns.

Lufthansa first canceled flights to Iran following Tehran's first direct attacks toward Israel earlier this month. Since then, the carrier has been extending its flight suspensions to the country.

Explosion reported off Yemen: UKMTO

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Monday that it received a report of an "attack" some 54 nautical miles northwest of Al Mukha in Yemen.

An explosion "in close proximity to a Merchant Vessel" was reported to the British maritime activity monitor. Authorities are investigating the attack and the ship and its crew were reported safe.

Some EU member states may recognize Palestinian statehood in May: Borrell

Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign policy chief, on Monday said several bloc members may recognize the State of Palestine by the end of May, multiple outlets reported. His revelation was made during a special meeting at the WEF in Riyadh.

Blinken urges Hamas to accept 'extraordinarily generous' hostage deal

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged Hamas to accept the "extraordinarily generous" hostage-ceasefire exchange plan proposed by Israel. He said Washington was looking forward to the Palestinian militant group making the "right decision."

Hamas offered 40-day ceasefire: British Foreign Secretary

David Cameron revealed Monday that Hamas has been offered a 40-day ceasefire, which could also see "thousands" of Palestinian prisoners freed in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages.

Cameron noted that the offer was "very generous" and should convince the Palestinian terror group to finally reach a truce deal with Israel as doing so could finally lead to a "stop in the fighting that we all want to see so badly."

Rocket sirens sound in 2 towns near Israel's northern border

Rocket sirens sounded late Monday afternoon local time in two communities near Israel's northern border with Lebanon, Israeli outlets reported.

This comes following Hamas' claim that it fired a missile salvo toward Israel from within Lebanese territory.

Israeli delegation to visit Cairo Tuesday depending on Hamas' response: Local media

An Israeli delegation including officials from the IDF, Israel's security service Shin Bet and Israel's intelligence agency the Mossad, will be in Egypt Tuesday to discuss a potential ceasefire agreement, depending on Hamas' reply regarding a proposed plan, Israel's national broadcaster Kan reported, citing an Israeli official involved in the discussions.

World Central Kitchen to resume Gaza operations

The U.S.-based food charity on Monday said it will resume operations in the devastated Gaza Strip. The WCK temporarily halted operations after an Israeli airstrike killed seven of its humanitarian aid workers on April 1. Majority of the deceased aid staffers were foreign nationals, including an American.

At the time, the IDF apologized for its mistake, but continued to face scrutiny over its supposed targeting of aid groups, which the Israeli army has vehemently denied.

Read the full story here.

Israel lowers hostage release demand to 33: Report

Israel has reduced its demand for hostage releases from 40 to 33 during the first phase of a ceasefire plan, The New York Times reported Monday, citing officials. If confirmed, it could signal that Israel is softening its stance as the Israeli government faces increased scrutiny both at home and overseas regarding its handling of ceasefire-hostage deal discussions.

Of over 250 hostages dragged into Gaza by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, some 130 remain in captivity, and more than 30 of them are believed dead.

Hezbollah claims attack targeting IDF's Golani Brigade 'command headquarters'

The powerful Iran-backed terror organization on Monday claimed that it attacked "the command headquarters" of the Israeli army's Golani Brigade during the weekend. Hezbollah published footage of the said operation wherein a plume of smoke rises from a building following an attack.

The IDF has yet to deny or confirm the claim.

Egypt 'optimistic' over new truce proposal: Report

Egypt is "optimistic" about a new ceasefire proposal that could bring some relief to Israelis and Palestinians alike that have faced the consequences of war for more than six months, Sky News in Arabic reported Monday, citing Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry.

He also reportedly revealed that Egyptian negotiators are now waiting for Israel and Hamas' final decision regarding the proposed truce plan.

Israeli foreign minister urges ICC not to issue arrest warrants over Gaza

Israel Katz on Sunday said the Israeli government expects the ICC "to refrain from issuing arrest warrants against senior Israeli political and security officials" over the country's military offensive in the Gaza Strip. "We will not bow our heads or bet erred and will continue to fight," he said.

The ICC can charge individuals of crimes against humanity. It has been investigating both Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre in Israel and the Israeli army's military campaign in the Palestinian territory.

Israeli warplanes strike Hezbollah targets

Israeli fighter jets struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon overnight, including "an operational infrastructure" and "a number of the organization's military buildings," the IDF said Monday, as per a Google translation.

The operational update came after as Hamas' armed wing claimed that it fired a salvo of missiles from southern Lebanon toward Israel.

US forces continue deterrence against Houthis

CENTCOM forces early on Sunday successfully engaged drones over the Red Sea, the U.S. military said Monday. The drones were deemed to present a threat to coalition forces and commercial ships in the area, CENTCOM noted.

The deterrent move came after Iranian-backed Houthis resumed their attacks targeting merchant vessels across Middle Eastern waters last week. The Yemeni Hamas ally has been attacking ships in the area since November.

Hamas delegation to discuss possible truce in Cairo

A group of Hamas officials will be in Egypt Monday to discuss the provisions of a new potential ceasefire plan that could free suffering Palestinians from the consequences of the monthslong Israel-Hamas war.

"The atmosphere is positive unless there are new Israeli obstacles," a senior Hamas official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Read the full story here.

Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson urges Israel, Hamas to show more truce commitment

Majed al-Ansari told Israeli outlets that Qatar, a key mediator alongside Egypt in talks for a ceasefire in Gaza, said both Israel and Hamas have been prioritizing their political interests over their people's welfare.

According to al-Ansari, the warring parties have "showed willingness" to reach a permanent ceasefire as part of the second phase of a truce deal. However, both have shown no commitment to do so, he said.

A ceasefire in Gaza may lead to the release of some 130 hostages still being held in Gaza and will allow more much-needed humanitarian aid to flow faster into the war-torn enclave.

US can stop Israel from raiding Rafah: Abbas

The Palestinian leader on Sunday urged Washington during the WEF in Riyadh to "ask Israel to not carry on the Rafah attack" as the U.S. "is the only country able to prevent Israel from committing this crime."

He further revealed that he is expecting the Israeli army's ground incursion into Rafah within days. While Israel has not provided a specific timeline regarding its planned raid of the overcrowded southern Gaza city, it has been preparing for the impending incursion in recent days.

U.S. President Joe Biden's government has repeatedly expressed opposition to a ground military operation in Rafah due to the massive civilian population in the area.

Al-Qassam Brigades claim attack on IDF base from south Lebanon

Hamas' armed wing on Monday said it fired a missile salvo from south Lebanon, a known Hezbollah stronghold, toward an Israeli army base. The details are scarce but rocket sirens sounded off in northern Israel Monday but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The Palestinian terror group's claims comes amid intensifying tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, another Iranian-backed militant group and a Hamas ally.