Israel bombs Lebanon killing 254 as Iran threatens to reclose Hormuz
Last updated: 19:31 UTC, April 08 2026 | Started: 2026-04-08 17:31 | 3 update(s) | Avg confidence: 87/100
The story so far: The 2026 Iran war began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran under the US codename Operation Epic Fury, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and targeting Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure. Iran retaliated with hundreds of missiles and drones across the region and closed the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a global energy crisis. Hezbollah opened a second front from Lebanon on March 2, prompting an Israeli ground invasion of southern Lebanon on March 16, which the Lebanese government has condemned as a violation of the 2024 ceasefire agreement.
Latest Updates
2026-04-08 19:31 — Israel bombs Lebanon killing 254 as Iran threatens to reclose Hormuz
Israel carried out approximately 100 strikes across Lebanon in 10 minutes on April 8, Lebanon's health minister said, killing at least 254 people and wounding more than 1,165, according to Al Jazeera and Lebanon's Health Ministry.
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2026-04-08 17:46 — US-Iran ceasefire holds shakily as Israel rejects Lebanon truce
The US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 7–8, less than two hours before Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face 'complete demolition' of key infrastructure, with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Gen. Asim Munir serving as mediators, according to NPR and Al Jazeera.
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2026-04-08 17:31 — Israel, US strike Tehran on Day 39; ceasefire deal reached April 8
The Israeli Air Force struck three airports in the Tehran area on April 7–8, destroying dozens of Iranian aircraft and helicopters, the IDF said, targeting what it described as Iranian Air Force and IRGC air force assets at Mehrabad Airport and two smaller airstrips, according to the Israeli military and the Times of Israel.
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What We Know
- The Israeli Air Force struck three airports in the Tehran area on April 7–8, destroying dozens of Iranian aircraft and helicopters, the IDF said, targeting what it described as Iranian Air Force and IRGC air force assets at Mehrabad Airport and two smaller airstrips, according to the Israeli military and the Times of Israel.
- Israel also struck Iran's largest petrochemical complex serving the South Pars gasfield — the world's largest natural gas reserve — and hit two electricity-generating units there, which Iranian officials called a 'huge escalation', according to Al Jazeera reporting from Tehran on April 7.
- On April 8, the US and Iran reached a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, less than two hours before Trump's midnight deadline; Trump wrote that the US had 'already met and exceeded all Military objectives' and cited a 10-point Iranian peace proposal as the basis for continuing talks, according to AP and NPR.
- As part of the deal, Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for safe passage during the ceasefire period; oil prices fell sharply toward $95 per barrel following the announcement, according to AP, while the IEA had previously released 400 million barrels in emergency reserves to dampen prices, according to the UK House of Commons Library.
- Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel supports the ceasefire but that it explicitly does not apply to Lebanon, where Israel continued strikes on Beirut hours after the agreement was announced, killing scores, according to AP on April 8.
- The US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 7–8, less than two hours before Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face 'complete demolition' of key infrastructure, with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Gen. Asim Munir serving as mediators, according to NPR and Al Jazeera.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that 'safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces' for two weeks, while Iran's Supreme National Security Council formally accepted the truce; Iranian crowds gathered at Tehran's Revolution Square to celebrate, per Reuters and AFP.
- Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel supports Trump's decision to suspend strikes on Iran for two weeks but stated the ceasefire 'does not include Lebanon,' directly contradicting Pakistan's prime minister, who said Lebanon was part of the deal, according to NPR.
- Israel renewed strikes on southern Lebanon on April 8, state media reported; Hezbollah responded that if Israel did not adhere to a full ceasefire, 'no party will commit to it, and there will be a response from the region, including Iran,' per NPR.
- The broader 40-day war, launched February 28, killed at least 2,076 people in Iran per Iran's Health Ministry, 26 in Israel, 13 US soldiers, and 28 in Gulf states, with over 26,500 wounded in Iran, according to Al Jazeera's live tracker.
- Israel carried out approximately 100 strikes across Lebanon in 10 minutes on April 8, Lebanon's health minister said, killing at least 254 people and wounding more than 1,165, according to Al Jazeera and Lebanon's Health Ministry.
- Hours earlier, on April 7–8, the United States and Iran had agreed to a two-week ceasefire mediated by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, under which Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz; the ceasefire took official effect on April 8 local time in the Middle East, per Britannica.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the ceasefire did not include Lebanon, directly contradicting Pakistani PM Sharif's statement that the truce applied 'everywhere including Lebanon,' according to NBC News and The New Arab.
- Iran's Strait of Hormuz closure was reportedly reimposed hours after the first tankers passed, with Iranian state media citing Israel's Lebanon strikes as the reason; the White House disputed that characterisation, per Times of Israel and Britannica.
- The IDF issued new evacuation orders for residents of the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, with the military's Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee stating on X that 'the battle in Lebanon continues,' per NBC News.
Still Unclear
- AP / NPR, citing Trump statements on Truth Social and public remarks: Trump said the US was negotiating with Iran to end the war and extended the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian government statements, cited by Wikipedia/2026 Iran war: Iran denied that talks were taking place at the time Trump announced them, calling the president 'deceitful'.
- The Jerusalem Post / Channel 12: Qatar struck Iran after Iranian attempts to directly strike Doha's airport, shooting down two Iranian Su-24 bombers, per Western diplomats and The Jerusalem Post; Channel 12 also reported Qatari strikes.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari: Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson vigorously denied the country had joined any 'campaign targeting Iran'.
- IRGC / Iranian state media: The IRGC claimed it downed an American C-130 transport aircraft.
US officials, cited by Times of Israel: US officials said the planes were destroyed by US forces themselves after technical difficulties forced personnel to abandon the aircraft.
- (Unverified — single source; state media only; Al Jazeera described it as 'a major development if confirmed') Iran's Mehr news agency reported an attack on Iran's oil hub on Kharg Island on April 7. [Mehr News Agency (Iranian state-linked)]
- (Unverified — single source; not independently corroborated by a Tier-1 wire with specific figures) Thousands of IRGC personnel, including several senior officials, were killed or wounded as several military bases were attacked in the opening strikes. [Iran International, citing Iranian Students' News Agency]
- (Unverified — not independently corroborated; Iran denied the claim) Two ballistic missiles were reportedly launched at Diego Garcia military base on the Chagos Islands. [Wikipedia / 2026 Iranian strikes on Israel article]
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as reported by NPR: Pakistan's prime minister said the ceasefire includes Lebanon.
Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as reported by NPR and Al Jazeera: The ceasefire does not include Lebanon; Israel will continue operations against Hezbollah there.
- Iranian government, as reported by Al Jazeera: Iran denied any negotiations with the US were taking place and called Trump 'deceitful.'
US President Donald Trump via social media, as reported by NPR and Britannica: Trump said the US was negotiating with Iran to end the war and announced the ceasefire as a mutual agreement brokered via Pakistan.
- PBS NewsHour / Associated Press: Iran's 10-point peace plan stipulates the Strait of Hormuz will operate under 'regulated passage under the coordination of Iran's Armed Forces,' giving Iran unique geopolitical standing and requiring full sanctions relief.
Senior Israeli official speaking anonymously, as reported by NPR: A senior Israeli official told reporters the US has assured Israel it will insist on removal of enriched uranium from Iran and elimination of Iran's ballistic missile threat in future negotiations.
- (Unverified — single source | not independently corroborated) An anonymous user on prediction platform Polymarket reportedly made $400,000 by accurately betting on the start of US military action and the timing of the ceasefire, raising concerns about insider trading tied to geopolitical decisions. [Al Jazeera]
- (Unverified — single source | not independently corroborated at the time of reporting) Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei (son of the killed Ali Khamenei) approved the ceasefire after a last-minute nudge by China. [Britannica]
- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who served as ceasefire mediator.: The two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran applies everywhere, including Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, statement on X.: The two-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon; Israeli military operations there continue.
- Iranian state media, cited by AP and Britannica (April 8, 2026).: Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz again in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
White House, cited by Times of Israel (April 8, 2026).: Iranian state media reports of a renewed Hormuz closure are false.
- (Unverified — anonymous source) Iran's ambassador in Beirut refused to leave Lebanon despite being declared persona non grata, saying he would stay 'in accordance with the wishes of the speaker of parliament Nabih Berri and of Hezbollah.' [Anonymous Iranian diplomatic source cited by AFP.]
- (Unverified — single source | anonymous source | not independently corroborated) Qatar struck Iran after Iran allegedly attempted to strike Doha's airport and shot down two Iranian Su-24 bombers. [Western diplomats and other unnamed sources cited by The Jerusalem Post; Channel 12.]
Key Figures
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|
| Preliminary total killed across all parties in the 39-day conflict | ~2,143 dead: 2,076 in Iran, 26 in Israel, 13 US soldiers, 28 in Gulf states | Al Jazeera live tracker, April 8, 2026 |
| US-Israeli strikes launched in the opening 12 hours of the war (Feb 28) | Nearly 900 strikes | Britannica / 2026 Iran war |
| Iranian missiles and drones fired in first week of war | Over 500 ballistic/naval missiles and nearly 2,000 drones as of March 5 | Military source to Fars News Agency, cited by Wikipedia |
| IEA emergency oil reserve release to counter price surge | 400 million barrels | UK House of Commons Library research briefing, April 2026 |
| Oil price movement following ceasefire announcement | Fell toward $95 per barrel | AP, April 8, 2026 |
| Displaced persons in Lebanon due to widened Israeli campaign | More than 1.1 million registered displaced | UN, cited by Al Jazeera, April 7, 2026 |
| Reduction in Iranian missile attacks on Israel by Day 10 | More than 90% drop from peak | France 24 / Jewish Institute for National Security of America, cited by Wikipedia |
| Confirmed dead in Iran from US-Israeli strikes since Feb. 28 | At least 2,076 killed; over 26,500 wounded | Iran Health Ministry, via Al Jazeera live tracker |
| US military fatalities | 13 confirmed killed in Iranian attacks across the region | US military, via Al Jazeera |
| Days of active war before ceasefire | 40 days (Feb. 28 – Apr. 7–8, 2026) | Al Jazeera / NPR |
| Share of global oil supply transiting Strait of Hormuz | ~20% | NPR |
| Dead in Lebanon from Hezbollah-Israel fighting (parallel conflict) | More than 1,400 by early April | Wikipedia / multiple sources |
| Gulf state civilian/military deaths from Iranian strikes | 28 killed | Al Jazeera live tracker |
| Lebanese civilians killed in Israeli strikes on April 8 | At least 254 killed, 1,165+ wounded | Lebanon Health Ministry, Al Jazeera (April 8, 2026) |
| Total killed in the 2026 Lebanon war by early April | More than 1,400 (militants and civilians combined) | Wikipedia / 2026 Lebanon War article citing multiple sources |
| Children killed or injured in Iran and Lebanon since war began | More than 1,100 (200 reportedly killed in Iran, 91 in Lebanon) | UNICEF, March 12, 2026 |
| Emergency oil reserves released by IEA member states | 400 million barrels | UK House of Commons Library research briefing |
| Duration of 2026 Iran war at time of ceasefire | 39 days (Feb 28 – Apr 8, 2026) | Al Jazeera, April 7, 2026 |
| Displacement from Tehran in first two days of war | About 100,000 people | UN Refugee Agency, cited by NPR |
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the 2026 Israel-US war on Iran?
Israel and the US launched joint strikes on February 28, 2026, during ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations. The stated US goals included preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, destroying its missile capabilities, and achieving regime change. The IAEA had found no evidence of a structured nuclear weapons programme at the time, complicating the legal justification.
Is the Strait of Hormuz open now after the ceasefire?
Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for safe passage as a condition of the April 8 two-week ceasefire, according to AP. Iran's IRGC Navy had previously declared the strait 'will never return to its former state.' Iran's 10-point proposal also demanded a $2 million fee per ship transiting the waterway, per The New York Times.
Does the ceasefire include Lebanon and Hezbollah?
No. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office explicitly stated the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon. Israel struck central Beirut killing scores within hours of the ceasefire announcement on April 8, according to AP. Iran has demanded any deal include an end to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah as a condition for a permanent agreement.
What are the terms of the US-Iran ceasefire announced April 7–8 2026?
The US and Israel agreed to suspend strikes on Iran for two weeks; in return, Iran committed to allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz under coordination with its armed forces. Formal negotiations are set to begin Friday in Islamabad, Pakistan, which brokered the deal. The ceasefire's scope — particularly whether it covers Lebanon — remains disputed.
Is the Strait of Hormuz reopened and what does that mean for oil prices?
Iran says safe passage is possible for two weeks 'via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces,' but this is conditional and not a full reopening. The strait carries roughly 20% of global oil supply; its partial blockade since late February has caused oil and gas prices to surge and fuel shortages in parts of Asia, per Al Jazeera and NPR.
Why did the US and Israel attack Iran in February 2026?
The US and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026, citing Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missile capabilities, and regional proxy network. The strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior IRGC officials. They followed Iran's January 2026 crackdown on mass protests and a US military buildup in the region, according to Britannica and the UK House of Commons Library.
Why is Israel still striking Lebanon if a ceasefire was agreed?
Netanyahu declared Lebanon excluded from the US-Iran ceasefire because Hezbollah, Iran's Lebanese proxy, has continued firing rockets into northern Israel. Pakistan, which mediated the truce, said Lebanon was included. The contradiction leaves the ceasefire structurally disputed on its first day.
Is the Strait of Hormuz open or closed after the ceasefire?
It is disputed as of April 8. Iran reopened the strait as part of the ceasefire deal, allowing early tanker traffic. But Iranian state media reported it was closed again in response to Israeli Lebanon strikes. The White House disputed that claim. The strait carries roughly 20% of global oil trade.
What happens next in the Iran ceasefire talks?
US Vice President Vance is set to lead the American negotiating team at the first formal round of Iran talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday, April 11. The two-week truce is meant to provide space for those negotiations, but Lebanon's status and the Hormuz reopening remain live flashpoints.
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