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Israeli strike on Lebanon survivors recount trauma after deadly attacks

Israeli strike on Lebanon survivors recount trauma after deadly attacks
By Lyndal Rowlands, Zaid Sabah, Edna Mohamed, Alex Milan Durie, Stephen Quillen and Umut Uras
Published On 29 Apr 2026

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29 Apr 2026 - 23:59
 (23:59 GMT)

Our coverage continues

This live page is closing, but our 24-hour coverage of the conflict continues.

Join us for all the latest developments, analyses and reactions here.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies for a US House Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday [Saul Loeb/AFP]
29 Apr 2026 - 23:50
 (23:50 GMT)

Here’s what happened today

We are about to close this live page. Before we go, here’s a look at the main developments of the day:

  • Trump said that talks with Iran have “come a long way” but that they are now being held by phone, with US negotiators no longer flying 18 hours to Pakistan.
  • Iranian Navy Commander Shahram Irani said that Iran will take “swift action” if US forces move towards the Strait of Hormuz.
  • A Pentagon official told the US Congress that the war has so far cost $25bn, mostly on munitions, as a potential deadline for congressional approval of the war looms.
  • US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress that the “unfortunate” strike that hit an Iranian girls’ school early in the war, killing about 170 people, mostly children, “remains under investigation”.
  • Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon killed more than a dozen people, including an attack on Tayr Debba that killed three women.
  • The Global Sumud Flotilla said communication has been lost with 11 Gaza-bound aid boats after they were surrounded by Israeli military boats in international waters.
29 Apr 2026 - 23:40
 (23:40 GMT)

Oil prices surge as Trump warns Iran blockade could last months

President Donald Trump says a US naval blockade against Iran could last months, leading oil prices to spike to their highest in more than four years.

Brent crude oil futures jumped 8 percent to $120 per barrel, hitting their highest level since June 2022 as markets priced in dim prospects for a near-term resolution to the Iran conflict or the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Meeting oil executives, Trump contended the blockade of Iranian ports – which Tehran has demanded must end before any deal – was more effective than bombing.

Trump, at the meeting that took place on Tuesday, discussed his efforts “to alleviate global oil markets and steps we could take to continue the current blockade for months if needed and minimize impact on American consumers”, a White House official said on condition of anonymity.

With diplomacy between Iran and the United States at a standstill after false starts, Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned him of “damaging consequences” if the United States and Israel resume their war on Iran.

29 Apr 2026 - 23:30
 (23:30 GMT)

Ex-Lebanon leader says time is right to talk to Israel

The former Lebanese president who once signed a short-lived deal with Israel ending decades of a state of war now says the time is right to try again.

Amin Gemayel spoke with The Associated Press after the first direct talks between Lebanon and Israel since the 1980s, as they explore what could lead to a security agreement.

Gemayel, 84, who rarely speaks to international media, acknowledged much has changed as Lebanese leaders again pursue talks with Israel and as a fragile ceasefire holds.

“During my time, discussing a peace agreement with Israel was an unforgivable, fatal crime,” he said.

29 Apr 2026 - 23:15
 (23:15 GMT)

Iran parliament speaker says no oil wells ‘exploded’ under US blockade

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says that US measures to halt Iran’s sale of oil have yet to see its storage tanks reach capacity and have simply resulted in oil prices going up.

“Three days in, no well exploded,” Ghalibaf said in a post on X. “We could extend to 30 and livestream the well here.”

The speaker for Iran’s parliament added that members of the US administration, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who claimed the blockade would put pressure on Iran, are acting on “junk advice”.

“[They] push the blockade theory and cranked oil up to $120+. Next stop: 140. The issue isn’t the theory, it’s the mindset.”

29 Apr 2026 - 23:10
 (23:10 GMT)
Houthi

Global Sumud Flotilla says Israeli military has surrounded several of its boats

The Gaza-bound aid mission says that its boats have been “illegally surrounded” by Israeli military boats in international waters, and “threatened kidnapping and violence.”

“Communications with 11 vessels have been lost and israeli media claims that seven boats have been intercepted,” The Global Sumud Flotilla wrote in a post on X.

“Governments must act now to protect the flotilla, hold Israel accountable for these flagrant violations of international law and for Israel’s ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.”

“Protect the flotilla. End the siege. Free Palestine.”

29 Apr 2026 - 23:00
 (23:00 GMT)

Iran commander vows ‘swift action’ if US military advances

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz from the Arabian Sea side and will take “swift action” if US forces move forward, a naval commander warns.

“The enemy thought that in the shortest possible time – such as three days to one week – it could reach a conclusion in a war against Iran, and this assumption of theirs has become a joke in military universities,” Commander Shahram Irani said in a statement carried by the state-run broadcaster IRIB.

“We are united to the last drop of our blood to take revenge for our martyrs,” he added.

Earlier, an unnamed military official said the US faces “unprecedented action” if its blockade of Iranian ports continues, Iran’s Press TV reported.

The official said, “The restraint shown by armed forces so far has been intended to give diplomacy a chance, allowing the United States to learn of and accept Iran’s conditions for ending the war permanently.”

However, “if American obstinacy and delusions continue and Iran’s conditions are rejected”, the official warned, “the enemy should soon expect a different kind of response”.

29 Apr 2026 - 22:45
 (22:45 GMT)

US military says it redirected 42nd commercial ship during blockade

Brad Cooper, the US military’s CENTCOM commander, says US forces “successfully redirected a 42nd commercial vessel attempting to violate the [US] blockade” on Iran’s ports.

“Right now, there are 41 tankers with 69 million barrels of oil that the Iranian regime can’t sell,” Cooper said in a post.

“That’s an estimated $6 billion-plus from which Iran’s leadership cannot financially benefit,” he added, describing the blockade, which the US imposed after Iranian forces blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, as “highly effective”.

29 Apr 2026 - 22:35
 (22:35 GMT)
Houthi

Trump says US is focused on phone negotiations, talks have ‘come along way’

The US President has said that the US is “having talks” with Iran now, but that these talks are now happening by phone rather than in Pakistan.

“We’re not flying anymore, with 18 hour flights every time we want to see a piece of paper, we’re doing it telephonically, and it’s very nice,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

“When you have to fly 18 hours every time you want to have a meeting, and you know what the meeting is all about, and you know they’re going to give you a piece of paper that you don’t like before you even leave, it’s ridiculous.”

However, Trump also said that talks have “come a long way” but that the question is if “they’re going to go far enough.”

“At this moment, there will never be a deal unless they agree that there will be no nuclear weapons.”

US President Donald Trump speaks as he welcomes the Artemis II astronauts, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on Wednesday [Brendan Smialowski/AFP]
29 Apr 2026 - 22:30
 (22:30 GMT)

Life of imprisoned Iranian human rights activist in ‘imminent danger’

Dangerously high blood pressure and losing about 20kg (44lbs) rapidly have placed Narges Mohammadi’s life in “imminent danger”, according to a report by her foundation.

Mohammadi, an Iranian human rights activist and Nobel laureate, has been imprisoned for several periods since 2016 over her opposition to the death penalty and compulsory veiling. She is back in prison after being sentenced on February 8 to seven-and-a-half years on charges including collusion against state security and propaganda.

The foundation said she suffers from persistent chest pain. She also experienced high blood pressure over the past three days, without responding to medication.

Despite confirmation from Iran’s medical examiner that she needs at least one month of specialised cardiac care, Tehran prosecutors have refused to grant a temporary suspension of her sentence, the report said.

Her legal team, after a recent visit, said her condition has reached a critical point.

Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi in Tehran in 2005 [File: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA]
29 Apr 2026 - 22:15
 (22:15 GMT)
Developing

Sumud Flotilla calls for governments to act over Israel’s sea assault

A spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla has described Israel’s boarding of its vessels as “a straight-up attack on unarmed civilian boats in international waters”.

Press officer Gur Tsabar, speaking to Al Jazeera from Toronto, Canada, said the sea assault is taking place “hundreds of miles from Israel” with the flotilla being “surrounded and threatened at gunpoint”.

“This is illegal under international law. Israel has no jurisdiction in these waters. Boarding these boats amounts to illegal detention – potentially kidnapping on the high seas,” said Tsabar.

“It’s critical that all governments act now. Every government has an obligation to protect the over 400 civilians onboard and uphold international law. Silence in this moment is absolute complicity.”

29 Apr 2026 - 22:00
 (22:00 GMT)

Iran’s highly enriched uranium likely still at Isfahan site: IAEA

The majority of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is likely still at its Isfahan nuclear complex, which was bombarded by air strikes last year, the head of the UN nuclear agency says.

Rafael Grossi told The Associated Press that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has satellite images showing the effects of the latest US-Israeli air strikes in Iran and “we continue to get information”.

IAEA inspections at Isfahan ended when Israel launched a 12-day war last June, which then saw the US bomb three Iranian nuclear sites.

The UN nuclear watchdog believes a large percentage of Iran’s highly enriched uranium “was stored there in June 2025 when the 12-day war broke out, and it has been there ever since”, Grossi said.

“We haven’t been able to inspect or to reject that the material is there and that the seals – the IAEA seals – remain there,” he said. “I hope we’ll be able to do that, so what I tell you is our best estimate.”

29 Apr 2026 - 21:45
 (21:45 GMT)

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard ‘inadmissible to Canada’, says Ottawa

Canada’s immigration agency says Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members are “inadmissible to Canada” after Iranian officials left the country before a FIFA Congress, citing the conduct of immigration officers.

Earlier, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported three Iranian federation officials arrived in Canada with visas to participate in Thursday’s congress, but returned on the next available flight.

Several outlets said the officials included Iran’s football federation president and deputy secretary-general, who left after “inappropriate behaviour of the immigration officials at the airport, and the insult to one of the most honourable organs of the Iranian Armed Forces”.

29 Apr 2026 - 21:30
 (21:30 GMT)

Congressman blasts Hegseth over troop deaths; calls for resignation

Democratic Representative Pat Ryan has criticised the Pentagon chief over the deaths of six American soldiers stationed in Kuwait and killed by an Iranian drone.

Ryan pressed Hegseth on whether intelligence showed the location was high on Iran’s target list and was indefensible from aerial attack.

“Yet you sent our soldiers from the 103d Sustainment Command there anyway. Is that true or false?” Ryan asked.

Hegseth said the military took proactive measures to protect US forces, and the soldiers who died are remembered every day.

Ryan quoted survivors of the attack who told CBS News they weren’t prepared to defend against a drone attack. The congressman also accused Hegseth of downplaying what happened and said he should resign.

Pete Hegseth testifies before a US House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday [AFP]
29 Apr 2026 - 21:15
 (21:15 GMT)
Developing

Israeli military speedboats block Gaza-bound aid ship

Organisers of a humanitarian aid ship sailing towards Gaza to help break Israel’s blockade say the vessel has been approached by apparent Israeli speedboats.

“Our boats were approached by military speedboats, self-identified as ‘Israel’, pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons ordering participants to the front of the boats and to get on their hands and knees,” said the Global Sumud Flotilla aid mission.

“Boat communications are being jammed and a SOS was issued.”

Israel Army Radio cited an Israeli source as saying it began seizing control of aid ships heading towards Gaza, far from Israeli shores.

29 Apr 2026 - 21:00
 (21:00 GMT)

US, UK top diplomats discuss Strait of Hormuz

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has met UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and discussed the “urgent need” to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Although a temporary ceasefire has halted fighting between the US and Iran, tensions in the region remain elevated, and no lasting settlement has been reached.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade passes, remains a key concern for international energy markets.

29 Apr 2026 - 20:45
 (20:45 GMT)

WATCH: What UAE exit from OPEC means for the Gulf

The United Arab Emirates’s exit is being seen as a test of OPEC’s influence on the oil market and even its own future.

The development has cast doubt over the Saudi-led cartel’s future after losing its fourth-largest producer. While the United Arab Emirates is not the first country to leave OPEC, it is by far the largest oil producer to do so.

Al Jazeera’s Um-e-Kulsoom Shariff explains:

29 Apr 2026 - 20:30
 (20:30 GMT)

Israel military chief visits occupied southern Lebanon

Israel’s military chief, Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir, has promised to strike Hezbollah targets north of the Litani River and beyond the “yellow line” during a visit to south Lebanon.

“Any threat, anywhere, against our communities or our forces – including beyond the yellow line and north of the Litani – will be eliminated,” Zamir said, according to a statement issued after his visit to troops occupying southern Lebanon.

Fighting broke out between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2. Lebanese representatives have since met twice in Washington – the first such meetings in decades – for discussions that Hezbollah categorically rejected.

After the first talks, US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire that began on April 17, and a three-week extension after the second round. However, Israeli attacks continue despite the truce.

Chief of staff of Israel’s army Eyal Zamir, left [Israel Army via Reuters]
29 Apr 2026 - 20:20
 (20:20 GMT)

Iran’s Araghchi speaks with Lebanese parliament speaker

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says he spoke by phone with Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berry.

In a post on his official Telegram account, Araghchi said the two officials “discussed and exchanged views on the latest regional developments”.

As we reported, Araghchi also spoke by phone earlier with India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, discussing Iran’s ceasefire with the US and other regional and international developments.

29 Apr 2026 - 20:10
 (20:10 GMT)
Houthi

Oman stresses need ‘for all parties to show flexibility to reach solutions’

Oman’s Foreign Ministry says its top diplomat, Badr Albusaidi, spoke by phone with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the latest regional developments.

The two officials “emphasised the importance of intensifying international efforts to resume the security, safety, and freedom of maritime navigation, and to ensure the smooth flow of global trade in accordance with the rules of international law”, it said.

“They also stressed the necessity for all parties to exercise the required flexibility in order to reach practical solutions for settling disputes and prioritising the common interests of all,” the ministry added.

Oman has acted as a key mediator between the US and Iran and repeatedly called for de-escalation.