Beirut / Tehran / Washington — March 5, 2026
Tensions across West Asia continue to escalate as military operations and retaliatory threats intensify between Israel, the United States, and Iran. The ongoing conflict has also disrupted global travel, with more than 23,000 flights cancelled worldwide due to airspace closures and security concerns.
Regional governments have begun diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions, with several Gulf countries calling for an emergency meeting aimed at restoring stability in the region.
Israeli Strike on Palestinian Refugee Camp
According to reports cited by Al Jazeera, an Israeli strike targeted the Beddawi Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli in northern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of at least two people, according to Lebanon’s Public Health Ministry.
Additional strikes were reported in southern Lebanon near the town of Qalila, where three people were reportedly killed.
Escalating Military Activity in the Region
The conflict has seen continued military activity across several countries.
U.S. and Israeli forces have reportedly carried out airstrikes in Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran as well as Kurdish cities including Sanandaj, Saqqez, and Bukan.
Israel has intensified attacks in Lebanon, targeting multiple locations including Beirut’s southern suburbs.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced what it described as the 19th wave of missile and drone attacks against Israeli and U.S. assets in the region.
Saudi Arabia reported intercepting at least three drones, while Qatar ordered evacuations near the U.S. Embassy in Doha as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported new operations targeting what it described as separatist groups in northern Iraq’s Kurdish region, with explosions reported in Sulaymaniyah province.
Casualties and Military Developments
In a separate development, the U.S. Department of Defense identified two additional soldiers killed in a drone attack in Kuwait.
The Pentagon confirmed the identities as:
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marjan, 54, from Sacramento, California
Major Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, from Indianola, Iowa
These identifications follow earlier announcements regarding four other personnel killed in the same attack.
Israeli Airstrikes Reported in Beirut and Nabatieh
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported Israeli strikes targeting a residential building in the Al-Shahabiya district, along with attacks on several southern suburbs of Beirut, including:
Ghobeiry
Haret Hreik
Bir al-Abed
Additional airstrikes were reported in the Nabatieh region, an area Israel has previously said hosts a strong Hezbollah presence.
Reports indicate that more than 50 people have been killed in Israeli strikes across Lebanon since Monday.
Global Travel Disrupted
The escalating conflict has had a major impact on global aviation.
Due to airspace closures and security concerns, more than 23,000 flights have been cancelled worldwide.
According to data cited by Bloomberg from aviation analytics firm Cirium, more than half of the 36,000 scheduled flights in and out of the region since February 28 have been cancelled.
Major international airline Emirates has extended the suspension of several flights to Dubai until at least Saturday evening following the escalation.
Explosions Reported in Tehran
Iranian media reported multiple explosions in the capital Tehran during the latest wave of military activity.
Authorities said air defense systems were activated as blasts were heard across parts of the city.
Additional explosions were also reported in Sanandaj in Iran’s Kurdistan province, according to local reports.
International Reactions
Global leaders have begun responding to the escalating conflict.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada stands with its allies and indicated that military support could be considered if necessary.
Meanwhile, the United States released a video marking 100 hours of its military campaign known as “Operation Epic Fury.”
Diplomatic efforts continue as international leaders seek to prevent further escalation in the region.
