🪖 IDF OPERATIONS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON: Over the past week, IDF Paratroopers operating under the 98th Division expanded targeted ground operations into additional areas of southern Lebanon.
The troops established operational control in those areas and continue striking Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure to reinforce the forward defensive zone and remove threats to residents of northern Israel.
During the operations, the soldiers eliminated dozens of Hezbollah terrorists and located concealed weapons, including firearms, magazines, and explosive devices intended for use against IDF forces.
🚨 HEZBOLLAH RESPONSE: Hezbollah says it targeted Manara in northern Israel with missiles in response to what it called Israeli attacks and a "violation of the ceasefire agreement".
"The response will continue until Israeli-American aggression against our country and our people stops," the statement added.
‼️ U.S. MILITARY POSTURE AND TRUMP STATEMENTS: President Trump says U.S. forces will remain deployed around Iran and warned that renewed military action would follow if an agreement is not fully upheld.
"All US ships, aircraft, and military personnel will remain in their positions around Iran. If the agreement is not fully adhered to, which is unlikely, we will start firing in a bigger, stronger, and more powerful way".
"All U.S. Ships, Aircraft, and Military Personnel, with additional Ammunition, Weaponry, and anything else that is appropriate and necessary for the lethal prosecution and destruction of an already substantially degraded Enemy, will remain in place in, and around, Iran, until such time as the REAL AGREEMENT reached is fully complied with. If for any reason it is not, which is highly unlikely, then the “Shootin’ Starts,” bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before. It was agreed, a long time ago, and despite all of the fake rhetoric to the contrary - NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS and, the Strait of Hormuz WILL BE OPEN & SAFE. In the meantime our great Military is Loading Up and Resting, looking forward, actually, to its next Conquest. AMERICA IS BACK!"
⚓ STRAIT OF HORMUZ SHIPPING IMPACT: The Wall Street Journal reports that only four ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, the lowest number recorded in April.
According to the report, Iran is requiring vessels to pay transit fees in advance in cryptocurrencies or Chinese yuan, while Kpler says no energy tanker has passed through the strait since the start of the ceasefire and that the four vessels that crossed yesterday were carrying dry cargo.
🛢️ OIL MARKET AND NATO PRESSURE: Politico reports that oil companies are unhappy with Trump’s peace plan with Iran and raised their concerns in discussions with JD Vance and Marco Rubio.
The companies believe that if Tehran charges $1 per barrel, or $2 million per ship, it would significantly drive global oil prices.
Bloomberg also reports that Trump urged NATO allies to quickly present concrete plans to help secure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, citing a senior NATO official.
According to Bloomberg, Trump made the request during conversations yesterday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and the U.S. wants the allies' plans within days.
🕯️ U.S. CASUALTIES: The Washington Post reports that 13 American soldiers were killed in the war and about 370 were injured, including 12 in critical condition.
✈️ AVIATION UPDATE' Air France announced it is extending the suspension of its flights to the Middle East until May 3.
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