The death toll from an Israeli strike on a residential complex in Baalbeck, Lebanon, has risen to five, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
The death toll from an Israeli strike on a residential complex in Baalbeck, Lebanon, has risen to five, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
Fifteen others were wounded in the attack, and three people remain missing, the agency reported.2.8sFast
Sirens have sounded across Jordan on Wednesday morning, according to the kingdom’s state television.
An Israeli airstrike has hit a hotel outside Beirut, according to Lebanon’s state-run news agency.
The strike took place in Hazmieh, about 5 kilometres (3 miles) southeast of downtown Beirut.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that ambulances had been dispatched to the scene.
The agency provided no further details in its brief report.
Asian stock markets have fallen sharply on Wednesday, with South Korea’s benchmark index dropping as much as 11%. Oil prices have continued to rise amid the widening conflict involving Iran.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 fell 3.4% to 54,346.73.
Japan and South Korea both rely heavily on oil and natural gas imports from the Middle East, supplies that are now stranded in the Persian Gulf.
US benchmark crude oil rose 1.2% to $75.46 per barrel. Brent crude, the international benchmark, gained 1.5% to $82.61 per barrel.
Investors are concerned that higher oil prices could fuel inflation, slow the global economy and reduce corporate profits.
Explosions have been heard across the skies of Jerusalem on Wednesday.
Israel’s military has stated that Iran launched missiles toward the country early on Wednesday, marking the second wave in less than two hours.
Israeli air defences are working to intercept the incoming missiles.
No injuries were reported from the first wave.
Saudi Arabia's defence ministry has stated that it intercepted two cruise missiles south of the capital, Riyadh, according to Reuters and AFP.
Separately, the official Saudi Press Agency reported that nine drones were also intercepted.
Saudi officials have not specified the origin of the missiles or drones.
The Israeli military has stated in the past hour that it identified several projectiles launched from Lebanese territory.
Most of the projectiles were intercepted, with one falling in an open area.
The announcement came minutes after the military reported that Iran had also launched missiles towards Israeli territory.
The US State Department announced early on Wednesday that it has authorised non-emergency American government personnel and their family members to evacuate Saudi Arabia if they choose to do so, due to the ongoing war.
The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia has come under attack by Iran during the conflict.
An Iranian drone strike on Sunday killed six American soldiers at a US operations centre located in Kuwait’s Port Shuaiba, a civilian seaport more than 10 miles from the main Army base.
According to satellite images reviewed by The Associated Press and confirmation from a US official speaking anonymously, the targeted hub was a shipping container-style building with no defences.
Joey Amor, husband of Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor—one of the soldiers killed—told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the facility lacked any protective measures.
A satellite image taken on Monday shows the main building in the complex destroyed, with a trail of black smoke rising from it. The location is in Port Shuaiba, south of Kuwait City.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the “secure facility was fortified with 6-foot walls.”
The incident was first reported by CNN and CBS News.
The UK government has chartered a commercial flight to help British nationals who wish to leave Oman amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The flight is due to depart from Muscat on 4 March at 23:00 local time (19:00 GMT). Priority will be given to the most vulnerable people.
The Foreign Office has stated that British nationals registered as present in the UAE but currently in Oman should urgently complete the relevant form if they want a seat.
It has advised people not to head to the airport unless contacted directly by the Foreign Office.
The government added that it will keep working with airlines to arrange additional routes for British nationals to return to the UK.
At least four people were killed in an Israeli strike that hit a residential complex in the Lebanese city of Baalbeck, according to the state-run media.
The strike, which occurred early on Wednesday, also wounded six others, the National News Agency reported.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) has reported that an "unknown projectile" struck a ship off the coast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.
UKMTO, a Royal Navy-led organisation that coordinates between merchant shipping and military forces for maritime security, said the strike damaged the vessel's steel plating.
There has been no fire or water intake as a result.
The crew are reported safe, and authorities are investigating the incident.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, that Israeli strikes on the towns of Aramoun and Saadiyat, south of Beirut, killed six people and wounded eight.
In a statement, the Ministry described the attacks as coming from “the Israeli enemy” on the areas of Aramoun and Saadiyat.
It gave a preliminary toll of six killed and eight wounded.
Both Aramoun and Saadiyat lie outside Hezbollah’s traditional strongholds in southern Lebanon.
-AFP
Israel's military has stated that Hezbollah also targeted the country with fire on Wednesday, and that much of it was intercepted.
Iranian state television has reported loud explosions around the capital, Tehran, as dawn broke on Wednesday.
Israel has warned residents of more than a dozen villages and towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of planned attacks targeting Hezbollah.
The warning, issued by Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee, instructed people to move at least 1km away from the specified areas.
It stated: "Anyone who is near Hezbollah operatives, facilities, and weapons is putting their life at risk."
Lebanon has reported that six people were killed in Israeli strikes in the south of the country.
The evacuation warnings apply to the following locations: Rabaa Thalathin, Hawla, Qalaat Dibba, Qabrikha, Touline Khirba, Shaqra, Sawana, Majdal Selm, Tamriya, Tayri, Talousa, Safad, Batikh, Jmeijmeh, Bani Hayyan.
An 11-year-old girl has died after shrapnel fell on her in a residential area of Kuwait, according to a spokesperson for the country's Ministry of Health.
"She passed away as a result of her injuries despite resuscitation attempts," the spokesperson, Dr Abdullah Al-Sund, said.
Four members of her family, including her mother, have been taken to hospital, Al-Sund added.
The New York Times reports that the Kuwait Army said it had destroyed incoming aerial targets, causing debris to fall on a residential building.
Asian stock markets have declined for a third consecutive day, while energy prices have moved higher.
South Korea's Kospi index opened as low as 7% down and is now trading around 6% lower. Japan's Nikkei 225 is down by 3%. Australia's ASX 200 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index are also lower.
At the same time, US-traded oil and Brent crude are up by 1.2% on Wednesday morning. Tankers remain at a standstill in the Strait of Hormuz, and fresh strikes continue across the Middle East.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson has stated that no one can yet determine with any degree of certainty how the conflict with Iran will end. The Republican leader, speaking after an all-member briefing at the Capitol, described himself as a close ally of President Trump.
He said it is up to the Iranian people to “seize this moment of opportunity” for their country, and not necessarily depend on the US. Johnson added, “We have no ability to get into the nation-building business,” and concluded, “America has enough trouble of our own.”
The top US military commander in the Middle East has stated that American forces have struck nearly 2,000 targets in Iran since the operation started. Adm. Brad Cooper, head of Central Command, made the comments in a video posted on X on Tuesday.
He said the US military has “severely degraded Iran’s air defenses” and taken out hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers and drones. The video included footage of missiles and jets launching from US ships, along with targets exploding on the ground.
Cooper noted that Iran has launched over 500 ballistic missiles and more than 2,000 drones in response. He added that the US is “hunting” Iran’s last remaining mobile ballistic missile launchers to eliminate their “lingering launch capability.”
The operation has involved more than 50,000 troops, 200 fighter jets, two aircraft carriers and bombers, with “more capability is on the way.” Cooper concluded by saying, “We’ve just begun.”