Iran War: US Authorizes $151.8 Million Bombs Sale to Israel

The United States State Department has approved a $151.8 million emergency arms sale to Israel, authorising the transfer of thousands of bombs and critical support services as the Middle East war involving Israel, the United States, and Iran intensifies. The deal, announced on Friday, reflects Washington’s urgent support for Israel’s defence capabilities amid the ongoing regional crisis.

Under the agreement, Israel will receive 12,000 BLU‑110A/B general-purpose bombs, each weighing approximately 1,000 pounds (470 kilograms), along with US government and contractor technical, logistics, and engineering support. The arms package is designed to boost Israel’s ability to counter current and future threats, strengthen homeland defence, and serve as a deterrent against regional adversaries, the State Department said.

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The emergency designation was invoked under the Arms Export Control Act, allowing the sale to bypass the usual congressional review process. Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined that “an emergency exists that requires the immediate transfer of these defence articles in the national security interests of the United States.” Critics have warned that bypassing Congress for a weapons sale of this scale raises concerns about oversight and accountability, given the conflict’s humanitarian and geopolitical implications.

The arms sale comes as hostilities in the Middle East continue to escalate following recent US‑Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, which triggered retaliatory attacks by Iranian‑backed forces, including missile and drone strikes on Israel and US facilities across the Gulf region. Observers say the weapons transfer signals unwavering US support for Israel amid growing regional instability.

The emergency sale also underscores the strategic US‑Israel defence partnership, which has long been central to Washington’s Middle East policy. The contract will be executed with existing stockpiles and contracted suppliers, ensuring Israel can rapidly deploy the munitions in the ongoing conflict. Human rights groups and some lawmakers have criticised the sale, warning that further militarisation could exacerbate civilian casualties and prolong the conflict.

Iran War: US Authorizes $151.8 Million Bombs Sale to Israel

Ghanaian UN Peacekeepers Hit by Missile Attack in Lebanon as Iran‑Linked War Escalates

The headquarters of Ghana’s United Nations peacekeeping battalion in southern Lebanon came under a missile attack on Friday, critically wounding two Ghanaian soldiers and underscoring the growing dangers facing peacekeepers in the escalating Middle East conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran‑aligned forces.

In an official statement, the Ghana Armed Forces said the attack occurred at the battalion’s base in southern Lebanon, where Ghanaian troops are deployed as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The missile strike also left a third peacekeeper psychologically traumatised, and destroyed the Officers’ Mess facility, which was completely burned down in the blast.

The Ghana military did not identify the group responsible for launching the missiles. However, it noted that Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lodged a formal protest with the United Nations Headquarters in New York, urging all parties to respect international obligations to protect UN peacekeepers and civilians in conflict zones.

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The attack comes amid a dramatic escalation in violence after Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel, drawing Lebanon directly into the wider war between Israel/United States and Iran. Following the rocket attacks, Israel intensified operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, leading to heavy exchanges of fire and multiple missile strikes across border communities.

UNIFIL, established in 1978 to monitor ceasefires along the Lebanon–Israel border and stabilise the area, includes troops from several countries, with the Ghanaian battalion among the key contingents. The mission has increasingly come under strain as hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah exact heavier tolls on local communities and UN positions alike.

According to military officials, the two wounded Ghanaian soldiers were stabilised and receiving medical care inside the UN peacekeeping base. Plans are underway to transfer them to a UNIFIL referral hospital outside the conflict zone for further treatment. The traumatized soldier was also receiving support from mission medical teams.

Lebanese media and UN sources reported that the missile attack occurred amid intense clashes between Israeli forces and Iranian‑aligned Hezbollah fighters, who continue to exchange rocket and artillery fire. While UNIFIL has not officially confirmed responsibility for the attack by any particular group, the volatile security situation in southern Lebanon has repeatedly placed peacekeepers at risk of stray rockets and deliberate targeting.

In response to the incident, UNIFIL leadership reiterated its commitment to safeguarding peacekeepers and civilians in the region, calling on all parties to respect UN mandates and international law. The United Nations urged the protection of peacekeeping personnel and condemned any attacks on UN positions as threats to the broader mission of maintaining stability.

The escalation has also resulted in multiple civilian casualties and infrastructure damage across border towns on both sides of the Israel–Lebanon frontier, with Lebanese residents reporting missile impacts in residential areas and Israeli communities facing ongoing rocket barrages since the conflict’s expansion.

The missile strike on Ghanaian troops marks one of the most serious attacks on UN peacekeepers in recent weeks, highlighting fears that the Middle East war could draw wider international involvement and increase risks for non‑combatant forces operating under the UN banner.

Ghanaian UN Peacekeepers Hit by Missile Attack in Lebanon as Iran‑Linked War Escalates

Explosion Heard Over Dubai Airport as Debris Falls After Air Defence Interception

An explosion was heard over Dubai International Airport on Saturday, sending a cloud of smoke into the sky and briefly raising security concerns around the world’s busiest hub for international travel.

Witnesses near the airport reported hearing a loud blast followed by visible smoke in the air as regional tensions escalated across the Gulf.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed several aircraft circling above the airport shortly after the incident, suggesting that flights were temporarily placed in holding patterns as authorities assessed the situation.

However, officials later clarified that the explosion was not a direct attack on the airport.

In a statement posted on social media, the Dubai Media Office said the incident was “a minor occurrence resulting from the fall of debris after an interception” by the country’s air defence systems.

The government agency also dismissed reports circulating online suggesting that the airport had been struck by missiles or drones.

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Despite the scare, flight operations continued with limited disruption, and aviation authorities moved quickly to ensure the safety of passengers and airport facilities.

The development comes amid rising Middle East tensions following recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which have triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran across the Gulf region.

In recent days, drone and missile attacks have targeted several strategic locations in the United Arab Emirates, raising concerns about the safety of critical infrastructure.

Earlier, four airport workers were injured and part of a concourse damaged at Dubai International Airport during a separate incident linked to the regional conflict.

The airport authority, Dubai Airports, said the situation was quickly contained, although officials did not provide extensive details about the nature of the damage.

Other high-profile locations across the United Arab Emirates have also reportedly been affected by the escalating conflict.

Reports indicate that Iranian strikes have targeted Abu Dhabi Airport, the Palm Jumeirah luxury development, and the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.

In another incident earlier in the week, drone debris reportedly sparked a fire at the US Consulate in Dubai, further heightening security concerns in the emirate.

Despite the attacks, authorities say air defence systems have successfully intercepted several drones and missiles, preventing more severe damage.

Security agencies across the United Arab Emirates remain on high alert as tensions continue to mount across the Middle East.

Officials have urged residents and travellers to remain calm while authorities continue to monitor the situation and maintain operations at Dubai International Airport, a critical aviation hub connecting hundreds of global destinations.

Explosion Heard Over Dubai Airport as Debris Falls After Air Defence Interception