Iran-Israel war LIVE: Israel pounds south Beirut, says it has captured Hezbollah members

#### Key Updates

• Israel pounds south Beirut, says captured Hezbollah members

• In Focus Podcast | Is the U.S. running out of missiles in the Iran-Israel war?

• Follow major updates from the Iran-Israel war on March 23, 2026

• March 24, 2026 08:16 WATCH | Trump says Iran ‘wants to make a deal very badly’ amid tensions

• March 24, 2026 07:55 Iraq armed group says commander, fighters killed in strikeA strike in western Iraq today killed a commander and several fighters from the former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi, the group said.The bombing targeted a base in Anbar province during a commanders’ meeting, a source from the group told AFP on condition of anonymity, blaming the United States for the attack.Seven Hashed al-Shaabi fighters were “killed and 13 wounded in a U.S. strike”, the source added.Hashed al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), is part of Iraq’s regular armed forces but also includes some brigades belonging to Iran-backed groups.A PMF statement condemned the strike, which it said killed the provincial commander and head of operations in Anbar, Saad Dawai al-Baiji, as well as several fighters, but did not give further details.A security official told AFP that the wounded were being treated at a hospital.Iraq has been unwillingly pulled into the war triggered by Israel and the United States striking Iran on February 28.- AFP

A strike in western Iraq today killed a commander and several fighters from the former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi, the group said.

The bombing targeted a base in Anbar province during a commanders’ meeting, a source from the group told AFP on condition of anonymity, blaming the United States for the attack.

Seven Hashed al-Shaabi fighters were “killed and 13 wounded in a U.S. strike”, the source added.

Hashed al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), is part of Iraq’s regular armed forces but also includes some brigades belonging to Iran-backed groups.

A PMF statement condemned the strike, which it said killed the provincial commander and head of operations in Anbar, Saad Dawai al-Baiji, as well as several fighters, but did not give further details.

A security official told AFP that the wounded were being treated at a hospital.

Iraq has been unwillingly pulled into the war triggered by Israel and the United States striking Iran on February 28.

• March 24, 2026 07:48 Asian shares mostly rebound after Trump hints at possible end to Iran warAsian benchmarks mostly rebounded today, echoing cautious relief that swept through Wall Street after President Donald Trump said the United States has talked with Iran about a possible end to their war.Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 added 1.1% in morning trading to 52,093.02, recovering some of the losses it suffered the previous day.Global markets have been on a roller coaster ride over worries about the war in Iran, which began in late February, especially nations in Asia, which are severely affected by any lack of access to the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for energy shipments from West Asia.In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude gained $2.02 to $90.15 a barrel. Brent crude the international standard, added $1.41 to $101.35 a barrel.- AP

Asian benchmarks mostly rebounded today, echoing cautious relief that swept through Wall Street after President Donald Trump said the United States has talked with Iran about a possible end to their war.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 added 1.1% in morning trading to 52,093.02, recovering some of the losses it suffered the previous day.

Global markets have been on a roller coaster ride over worries about the war in Iran, which began in late February, especially nations in Asia, which are severely affected by any lack of access to the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for energy shipments from West Asia.

In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude gained $2.02 to $90.15 a barrel. Brent crude the international standard, added $1.41 to $101.35 a barrel.

• March 24, 2026 07:27 Japan to start releasing oil from joint stockpiles by end-March, PM saysJapan plans to start releasing oil from joint stockpiles ‌held by producing nations in the country by the end ⁠of March, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a post on X today.In response to the Iran war, Japan started releasing 15 days’ worth of private-sector oil inventories last week and Ms. Takaichi said in the ‌X post the country will tap a month’s worth of crude from the state reserves from Thursday (March 26, 2026).- Reuters

Japan plans to start releasing oil from joint stockpiles ‌held by producing nations in the country by the end ⁠of March, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a post on X today.

In response to the Iran war, Japan started releasing 15 days’ worth of private-sector oil inventories last week and Ms. Takaichi said in the ‌X post the country will tap a month’s worth of crude from the state reserves from Thursday (March 26, 2026).

• •Reuters

• March 24, 2026 07:20 Israel pounds south Beirut, says captured Hezbollah membersA series of strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs yesterday and early today, the first attack on the Hezbollah stronghold in days, as Israel’s military said it captured two members of the Iran-backed group in southern Lebanon.An earlier Israeli strike hit the upscale, predominantly Christian area of Hazmieh near Beirut, with Israel saying it targeted a member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ foreign operations arm.The Israeli military also announced it was “striking Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut” after having called on residents to leave the southern suburbs beforehand.In a statement, the Israeli Army said that “during an activity to locate weapons in southern Lebanon, (Israeli) troops identified several armed Hezbollah Radwan Force terrorists who were planning to fire an anti-tank missile”, referring to the group’s commando force.“After being identified, the terrorists surrendered. They were apprehended by the troops and transferred to Israeli territory for further questioning,” it added.The Israeli military said two Hezbollah members were captured.Hezbollah, for its part, announced more than 50 attacks targeting Israeli troops and bases in northern Israel and southern Lebanon, particularly in the border coastal town of Naqura.Early today, the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for two coastal towns near the southern city of Tyre.- AFP

A series of strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs yesterday and early today, the first attack on the Hezbollah stronghold in days, as Israel’s military said it captured two members of the Iran-backed group in southern Lebanon.

An earlier Israeli strike hit the upscale, predominantly Christian area of Hazmieh near Beirut, with Israel saying it targeted a member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ foreign operations arm.

The Israeli military also announced it was “striking Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut” after having called on residents to leave the southern suburbs beforehand.

In a statement, the Israeli Army said that “during an activity to locate weapons in southern Lebanon, (Israeli) troops identified several armed Hezbollah Radwan Force terrorists who were planning to fire an anti-tank missile”, referring to the group’s commando force.

“After being identified, the terrorists surrendered. They were apprehended by the troops and transferred to Israeli territory for further questioning,” it added.

The Israeli military said two Hezbollah members were captured.

Hezbollah, for its part, announced more than 50 attacks targeting Israeli troops and bases in northern Israel and southern Lebanon, particularly in the border coastal town of Naqura.

Early today, the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for two coastal towns near the southern city of Tyre.

• March 24, 2026 07:13 WATCH | Explained: Israel's ground offensive in Lebanon

• March 24, 2026 07:12 In Focus Podcast | Is the U.S. running out of missiles in the Iran-Israel war?

• March 24, 2026 07:11 Netanyahu says spoke with Trump, vows to protect Israel's interestsPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday (March 23, 2026) that he spoke with Donald Trump, saying that the U.S. President believed U.S.-Israeli military gains in Iran could be converted into a negotiated agreement that protected Israel’s interests.“President Trump believes there is a chance to leverage the tremendous achievements of the IDF and the U.S. military in order to realise the war’s objectives in an agreement - an agreement that will safeguard our vital interests,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a video statement.Click here to read more

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday (March 23, 2026) that he spoke with Donald Trump, saying that the U.S. President believed U.S.-Israeli military gains in Iran could be converted into a negotiated agreement that protected Israel’s interests.

“President Trump believes there is a chance to leverage the tremendous achievements of the IDF and the U.S. military in order to realise the war’s objectives in an agreement - an agreement that will safeguard our vital interests,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a video statement.

• March 24, 2026 07:11 Trump postpones Iran strikes; says deal is possibleU.S. President Donald Trump, who issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran on Saturday (March 21, 2026) to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its power infrastructure, said on Monday (March 23, 2026) he would postpone the attacks for five days after “very good and productive” talks with Tehran.“I am please[d] to report that the United States of America and the country of Iran have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East,” Mr. Trump wrote in a social media post.Trump postpones Iran strikes; says deal is possibleTrump postpones military strikes on Iranian power plants for five days amid escalating tensions and ongoing diplomatic discussions.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran on Saturday (March 21, 2026) to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its power infrastructure, said on Monday (March 23, 2026) he would postpone the attacks for five days after “very good and productive” talks with Tehran.

“I am please[d] to report that the United States of America and the country of Iran have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East,” Mr. Trump wrote in a social media post.

Trump postpones Iran strikes; says deal is possible

Trump postpones military strikes on Iranian power plants for five days amid escalating tensions and ongoing diplomatic discussions.

• March 24, 2026 07:09 Follow major updates from the Iran-Israel war on March 23, 2026US-Israeli war on Iran LIVE: Trump says postponing Iran power plant strikes for five days after 'very good' talksU.S.-Israeli war on Iran LIVE: Iran faces deadline of US President Donald Trump warning to open Strait of Hormuz. Follow The Hindu for more LIVE updates on March 23 2026 on Iran-Israel war.

US-Israeli war on Iran LIVE: Trump says postponing Iran power plant strikes for five days after 'very good' talks

U.S.-Israeli war on Iran LIVE: Iran faces deadline of US President Donald Trump warning to open Strait of Hormuz. Follow The Hindu for more LIVE updates on March 23 2026 on Iran-Israel war.

Published - March 24, 2026 07:05 am IST

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