Israeli Strikes Kill Four in Lebanon; Iran War Causes Fuel Shortages

Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon killed four people, including a woman, and wounded 51 others, among them three children, Lebanon's health ministry reported. The attacks occurred despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that took effect on April 17.

An AFP tally based on health ministry figures indicates at least 40 people have died in Lebanon from Israeli strikes since the truce began. The Israel Defense Forces stated that the strikes targeted over 20 Hezbollah positions and infrastructure in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley, including weapons manufacturing sites.

and Responses Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim

Qassem vowed that the group would not relinquish its weapons or defenses. He described a recent meeting between Lebanese and Israeli officials as a gratuitous and humiliating concession by the Lebanese government. Qassem rejected direct negotiations with Israel.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that both Israel and Lebanon are victims of Hezbollah. Lebanon reported four additional deaths from Israeli strikes, bringing the post-ceasefire total to at least 40, and questioned Israel's justifications for the attacks.

The UAE announced it will quit OPEC and OPEC+ effective May 1, citing national interests and geopolitical volatility from disruptions in the Arabian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. This move deals a blow to the oil-exporting groups, which produce about 35 percent of global crude oil.

Jet fuel shortages are emerging due to the war, with Sweden's Energy Minister Ebba Busch warning of potential shortages. The head of the International Air Transport Association, Willie Walsh, said the crisis would hit Asia first, followed by Europe, Africa, and Latin America, potentially leading to flight cancellations and higher costs passed to consumers.

Indian airlines Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet warned that the industry is on the verge of stopping operations due to ramped-up oil prices and airspace restrictions. They requested revisions to aviation turbine fuel pricing from the government. Several low-cost carriers have sought government assistance to cope with the surge.

Gaza, Israeli strikes killed three Palestinians, including a 9-year-old boy named Adel Al-Najjar, according to health officials. An Israeli drone strike in eastern Khan Younis and an airstrike on a vehicle in Gaza City caused the deaths. Senate Democrats, including Sens.

Elizabeth Warren, Richard Blumenthal, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Mark Kelly, are investigating a March attack in Kuwait that killed six US service members and injured 20 amid the Iran war. Moody's Ratings raised China's sovereign credit outlook to stable from negative, despite energy shocks from the US-Israel war in Iran exacerbating global economic concerns.

A Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Jeddah, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, discussed regional issues, including meetings with leaders from Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

“Iran has just informed us that they are in a ‘State of Collapse’.”