- Israel strikes Lebanon -

Israel launched new airstrikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, a day after the two countries agreed to extend a truce following talks in Washington.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported strikes on at least five villages in the south, preceded by an exodus of residents towards the southern city of Sidon and the capital Beirut.

- Iraq oil drop -

Iraq's oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz plunged to just 10 million barrels in April, compared to the usual 93 million, the country's new oil minister said.

A founding member of the OPEC oil cartel, Iraq normally exports the majority of its crude through the crucial waterway, but like other exporters in the oil-rich region, it has been left scrambling for alternative routes after Iran blockaded the strait.

- Palestinian killed in Jenin -

Palestinian health officials said Israeli forces killed a man on the outskirts of the Jenin refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank.

The health ministry in Ramallah identified the victim as 34-year-old Nour al-Din Kamal Hassan Fayyad, saying he was "killed by occupation forces' fire in the Jenin camp". The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

- Israel, Lebanon extend ceasefire -

Lebanon and Israel on Friday extended a ceasefire for 45 days, despite a new flare-up in violence, the US State Department said after mediating talks.

"The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.

The department would hold negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent political agreement on June 2 and 3, he said, adding that the Pentagon would bring together delegations from the countries' militaries on May 29.

- Lebanon see path to 'lasting stability' -

Lebanon's delegation at the talks in Washington said Friday that the truce extension and the establishment of a US-facilitated security track pave the way for "lasting stability".

"The Lebanese delegation welcomes today's outcome," it said, in a statement shared by the Lebanese presidency, adding that it provides "critical breathing space for our citizens."

- Lebanese PM wants end to 'reckless' wars -

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Friday said his country has had enough "reckless" wars for foreign interests, calling for Arab and international support in Beirut's negotiations with Israel.

Speaking at an NGO dinner, Salam said that he hoped to "mobilise all Arab and international support to bolster our position in the negotiations" with Israel, shortly after the last round of talks ended and extended the truce.

- Strike hits building in Lebanon's Tyre -

An Israeli strike hit a building in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on Friday after an evacuation warning by the Israeli army, state media reported, despite the extension in the truce between Israel and Hezbollah.

An AFP correspondent saw a strike hit one of the threatened buildings.

Also Friday, an Israeli strike in Haruf, south Lebanon, killed three paramedics from the Hezbollah-linked Islamic Health Committee, the Lebanese health ministry said.

- Stocks slip, oil rises -

Global stocks slumped as summit talks between the United States and China failed to deliver progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, reigniting worries of persistent inflation pressures that could derail economic growth.

Oil prices, however, rose three percent, with the international benchmark Brent crude contract at nearly $109 a barrel.

- Israel says 220 militants killed in past week -

The Israeli military said Friday its forces killed more than 220 Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon over the past week.

During the same period, Israeli forces also struck more than 440 Hezbollah targets in that region, the military added.

- UAE rejects Iran war role claims -

The United Arab Emirates rejected "attempts to justify Iranian terrorist attacks" after Tehran accused the wealthy Gulf state of playing an active role in the war.

Minister of State Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar "affirmed the UAE's categorical rejection of Iranian claims and attempts to justify Iranian terrorist attacks targeting the UAE" and other nations, a statement said.

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