Skip next section UN peacekeeper killed, another critically injured in explosion in Lebanon
03/30/2026March 30, 2026UN peacekeeper killed, another critically injured in explosion in Lebanon
A peacekeeper deployed with the UN mission in Lebanon was killed when a projectile exploded at one of its positions.
The mission, known as UNIFIL, said another peacekeeper was critically injured in the explosion near the southern Lebanese village of Adchit al-Qusayr.
“We do not know the origin of the projectile. We have launched an investigation to determine all of the circumstances,” UNIFIL added.
The UN peacekeeping force, deployed in southern Lebanon, has found itself amid ongoing strikes between the Iran-backed Hezbollah and the Israeli military.
UNIFIL mainly acts as an observer in the conflict, conducting foot and vehicle patrols between the Blue Line, a buffer zone between Lebanon and Israel, and the Litani River. It also patrols the area near the shoreline with its naval peacekeeping force.
https://p.dw.com/p/5BLl8
Skip next section Israel parliament approves budget boosting defense
03/30/2026March 30, 2026Israel parliament approves budget boosting defense
Failure to approve the budget would have ‌likely triggered a snap election within 90 days, ‌which ​opinion polls so far have predicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s would loseImage: Oren Ben Hakoon/REUTERS
Israel’s parliament has approved the 2026 state budget, sharply increasing defense spending as the country remains at war on multiple fronts.
The military allocation will rise by more than $10 billion (€8.7 billion), pushing the defense budget above $45 billion, more than double its pre‑Gaza war level in 2023.
The overall national budget stands at 850 billion Israeli shekels, or over $270 billion — the largest in Israel’s history.Â
Israel and its main ally, the United States, have been at war with Iran since February 28. Additionally, Israel is battling Hezbollah after invading southern Lebanon and continuing military operations in Gaza.Â
Local media have reported the government had also approved an $827 million advance for emergency military purchases.
https://p.dw.com/p/5BLl9
Skip next section Pakistan says it will host US-Iran talks in ‘coming days’
03/30/2026March 30, 2026Pakistan says it will host US-Iran talks in ‘coming days’
Islamabad has announced it will act as a host for peace talks between the US and Iran, though there is still no confirmation from Washington or Tehran.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced Sunday that both sides had asked Islamabad to facilitate negotiations on the month long conflict.
“Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in coming days, for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict,” he said.Â
It remains unclear whether the alleged talks would be direct or indirect.
Pakistan has emerged as an unexpected mediator between the warring parties, leveraging what officials describe as weeks of quiet diplomacy and its relatively good ties with the US and Iran.
But in Tehran, Iran’s parliament speaker dismissed the talk of negotiations as a “cover,” after some 2,500 US Marines arrived in the Middle East. He warned Iranian forces were waiting to confront American troops and punish their regional partners.
https://p.dw.com/p/5BLlA
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage03/30/2026March 30, 2026Welcome to our coverage
Pakistan says it is ready to host peace talks between the United States and Iran, but neither side, at least publicly, has indicated they are willing to engage.
Tehran has accused the US of plotting a ground invasion despite the reported diplomatic efforts.
Meanwhile, Israel has just boosted its military spending. An Israeli lawmaker said that in light of Operation “Roaring Lion,” which it calls the military operation against Iran, about $10 billion (€8.7 billion) has been added to the Ministry of Defense budget.
With the Iran war now in its fifth week, oil prices have risen to more than $115 as markets opened in Asia.
We will have more on these and other developments in the Iran war in this blog. If you want to catch up on what happened on Saturday, you can click here.
https://p.dw.com/p/5BLmC