Displaced Lebanese shelter in schools, stadiums amid Israeli attacks

On March 8, 2026, an Israeli attack on a hotel in Beirut, Lebanon killed at least four people and wounded ten. Israel stated the strike targeted key commanders of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, claiming they were planning attacks against Israel. The targeted hotel, located in Raouche, was also housing displaced people fleeing the ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon. Lebanon was drawn into the regional war on March 2nd after Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to earlier US-Israeli strikes that killed the Iranian Supreme Leader. This attack marks an escalation of Israeli actions in Lebanon, which began after the collapse of a ceasefire in November 2024.

An Israeli strike on a Beirut hotel killed at least four people and wounded ten others on Sunday, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Israel stated the strike targeted commanders from Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The strike occurred in central Beirut, hitting a hotel room. This incident follows increased Israeli strikes across Lebanon and ground troop movements into border areas this week. Lebanon was drawn into the conflict after Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Israeli military announced additional strikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated in Beirut on Saturday that diplomatic solutions are still possible to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah. He urged the international community to support Lebanon and emphasized that there is no military solution. Guterres highlighted the availability of diplomatic channels, including his special coordinator for Lebanon and key member states, to bring parties to the table. The conflict escalated after Hezbollah attacked Israel following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Guterres condemned attacks against UNIFIL peacekeepers, stating they are unacceptable and may constitute war crimes, referencing the recent wounding of three peacekeepers. He affirmed efforts to de-escalate the situation and cease hostilities.

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) has accused Israel of extending its "Gaza playbook" to Lebanon, following intensified Israeli military actions in the country in March 2026. The charity alleges that Israel is employing tactics of collective punishment, forced displacement, and the deliberate terrorizing of civilian populations. These accusations come after Israel issued forced displacement orders for southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, prompting tens of thousands to flee. The increased fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began after the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, leading to rocket launches from Lebanon towards Israel. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, at least 217 people have been killed and 798 wounded in Israeli attacks across Lebanon since the renewed conflict began.

The Israeli military has ordered civilians in a large area of southern Lebanon to evacuate north of the Litani River due to planned military action against Hezbollah. This order comes amidst escalating hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed group, with Israel initiating a wave of strikes in the south. Tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians have already been displaced since the recent surge in fighting. Displaced individuals are fleeing from southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Beirut, seeking refuge in shelters, roadsides, and parks, with concerns rising about the capacity to meet the growing demand for aid. The escalation follows Hezbollah's rocket and drone attacks on Israel, which were a response to US and Israeli strikes.

In March 2026, escalating conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel has spread across multiple fronts. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia was hit by Iranian drones amidst increasing attacks on Iran by the US and Israel. Strikes occurred across Tehran, while Israel conducted a targeted attack on Hezbollah members in Beirut and southern Lebanon. During an Iranian air assault, three US fighter jets were mistakenly downed by Kuwaiti fire. Protests in support of Iran took place in Baghdad. The conflict has resulted in casualties and widespread damage in the region.

On March 1, 2026, the United States and Israel conducted a large attack in Iran that resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The New York Times reported on the immediate aftermath of the attack and the reactions of ordinary Iranians. The report, led by Iran bureau chief Erika Solomon, focused on how Iranians are responding to the sudden end of Khamenei's authoritarian rule. The report also examined the uncertainty surrounding Iran's future following this significant event. The video report aimed to provide insight into the situation on the ground in Iran following the strikes.

Following US-Israeli air strikes on Iran, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and subsequent retaliatory attacks, China is expected to adjust its relationship with Israel. China condemned the initial strikes as a violation of Iran's sovereignty and warned of regional destabilization. Analysts believe China will likely maintain its "balanced diplomacy" in the Middle East but pursue a "strategic rebalancing" to adapt to the altered security landscape. The situation presents diplomatic risks for China, requiring careful strategic calculation as it navigates the escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and the US in the region.

Israel's military operation against Iran is aimed at regime change, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called on Iranians to overthrow their government after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US-Israel joint attack has already killed over 555 people in Iran, including 180 at a girls' school. Netanyahu's comments suggest that Israel seeks regime change from within, but it is unclear how invested Israeli officials are in ensuring a smooth transition. Many Iranians have taken to the streets in protests, united by their opposition to the government. The operation has sparked widespread violence and unrest in Iran. The Israeli government's policy on regime change in Iran appears to be a longstanding goal.

The CIA tracked the movements of Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, for months and shared this intelligence with Israeli officials. This intelligence sharing influenced the timing of recent strikes. These strikes, conducted by the US and Israel, resulted in the death of Khamenei and other senior Iranian leaders, prompting Iran to vow revenge. Iran retaliated with missile strikes against targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states. The conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides, including the first known American deaths, and has escalated tensions in the region, with Israel pledging continued strikes.

A leaked US embassy cable reveals that Israel expressed concerns about Hezbollah's growing military capabilities and the Lebanese state's inability to disarm the group before launching airstrikes in Lebanon. The cable, sent to Washington a day before joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, indicated Israel's distrust of both Beirut and Damascus in containing the threat on its northern border. It also highlighted Israeli concerns about Turkish military presence in Syria and alleged anti-Israel incitement by Turkish officials. The cable served as a briefing for the US Secretary of State before a cancelled trip to Israel and was written under the direction of the US ambassador, Mike Huckabee, whose controversial remarks about Israel seizing territory had sparked diplomatic backlash. The airstrikes against Hezbollah-dominated areas in southern Beirut began three days after the cable was sent.

Following drone attacks on U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the U.S. State Department has closed its embassies in those two countries. The State Department also issued an urgent advisory, recommending that American citizens immediately depart from 14 unspecified countries. These actions come as tensions escalate in the region, with Iran reportedly increasing retaliatory measures. Simultaneously, the Israeli military announced it has seized additional territory in Lebanon amidst ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. The closures and travel advisory highlight growing concerns about the safety of American personnel and citizens in the Middle East.

On February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States launched a joint military attack on Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran near University Street, the Jomhouri area, and Seyyed Khandan. According to a US official, the operation aimed to pressure Iran into a nuclear deal, amidst a large US military presence in the region. Israel's Defence Minister stated the attack was a preemptive measure to eliminate threats to Israel. In response, sirens sounded in Israel, prompting the military to issue alerts and close airspace. The US Embassy in Qatar also implemented shelter-in-place protocols for its personnel and advised citizens to do the same. The Associated Press reported that strikes occurred near the offices of Iran's Supreme Leader.

The US and Israel have initiated a joint military operation against Iran, commencing with widespread airstrikes targeting key political, security, and military sites. The operation, dubbed "Operation Lion's Roar" by Israel, aims to degrade the Iranian regime's capabilities. Strikes hit at least 14 cities, including Tehran, targeting the residence of Supreme Leader Khamenei, weapons facilities, and ballistic missile caches. Satellite imagery confirms damage to Khamenei's compound. At least 85 people were reportedly killed and over 63 wounded in a strike on a girls' school in Minab, verified by Reuters. The stated goal of the operation is regime change, with the campaign continuing indefinitely.

Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, world leaders are reacting cautiously amid growing fears of a wider war. The strikes, including one near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, occurred on Saturday. European leaders convened emergency meetings in response to the escalating situation. The international community is concerned about the potential for a broader conflict in the region. The strikes have prompted increased diplomatic activity as leaders seek to de-escalate tensions.

In February 2026, reports emerged that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in joint US-Israeli air strikes on his compound in Iran. Khamenei assumed leadership in 1989 after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the Islamic Revolution. While Khomeini provided the revolution's ideology, Khamenei developed Iran's military and paramilitary forces, extending its influence beyond its borders. His distrust of the West, particularly the United States, stemmed from the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, during which Western countries supported Saddam Hussein. This shaped his belief that Iran needed constant defense against external and internal threats, leading to the rise of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a powerful institution.

In February 2026, the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran, with initial strikes reported near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's offices. Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, with smoke visible in the capital. U.S. President Donald Trump announced in a video that the U.S. had begun "major combat operations in Iran." Trump stated the objective was to defend Americans by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime, citing their continued nuclear program development and alleged plans to develop missiles capable of reaching the U.S. He claimed Iran has been chanting "Death to America" for 47 years. Trump appealed to the Iranian people to overthrow their government.

Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called on Iranians to overthrow the current regime following reported joint U.S.-Israeli strikes. Pahlavi described the strikes as "humanitarian intervention" targeting the Islamic Republic, not the Iranian people, and urged the U.S. to protect civilian lives. He appealed to Iran's military and security forces to defect from the regime and join the people, promising a stable transition. While predicting the regime's collapse, Pahlavi advised citizens to remain home for now, awaiting his signal to return to the streets for a final push. He framed the moment as a decisive opportunity for Iranians to reclaim their country.