The strikes hit several towns in the South and Nabatieh governorates, targeting residential neighborhoods, areas near a government hospital, and a motorcycle on a road, the NNA said.
The deadliest bombardment struck a town in the Tyre district of South Governorate, near the Israeli border, killing 12 people, including a Syrian national, it reported.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters clashed with Israeli forces near the southern Lebanese town of Haddatha and targeted Israeli troop gatherings in southern Lebanon.
Israeli forces also carried out a large demolition operation between the border villages of Blida and Mays al-Jabal, triggering a powerful blast.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said negotiations remain the only way to end the conflict and stressed that weapons should be under the exclusive control of state forces.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 3,073 people and wounded 9,362 others.
A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect in April and has been extended several times, but both sides have continued exchanging attacks.
Speaking Wednesday at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine said ongoing Israeli attacks had severely damaged Lebanon’s health sector.
He said 116 healthcare workers had been killed, 16 hospitals damaged, 147 ambulances attacked, and 45 healthcare centers forced to close since March 2.
Rescuers search through the rubble for three people reported missing at the scene of an Israeli airstrike in Deir Qanoun En Nahr, near the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, on May 20, 2026. Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon overnight into Wednesday killed at least 29 people, including women and children, and wounded dozens more, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA). (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
At least 54 ships transited the Strait of Hormuz between May 11 and 17, compared with only 25 during the previous week, the British shipping industry daily reported, citing vessel-tracking data.
The report said the increase came amid a surge in Iran-related trade activity. It also highlighted that a liquefied natural gas carrier owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company entered Gulf waters while operating with its automatic identification system switched off.
Data from London-headquartered maritime analytics company Windward showed that 19 vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, including nine inbound and 10 outbound ships.
Inbound traffic mainly consisted of cargo vessels flying the flags of countries including India and Sri Lanka. Outbound traffic included one tanker and nine cargo ships, five of which were flying the Iranian flag.
An Iranian-flagged cargo vessel Rayen is anchored on May 16, 2026 in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran. /VCG
Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla said on their website that all boats in their humanitarian convoy were intercepted after Israeli naval vessels surrounded them in international waters, about 250 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza. They said that 428 activists were “kidnapped” by Israel.
Israel began intercepting the ships on Monday morning.
Around midnight Tuesday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the activists “have been transferred to Israeli vessels and are making their way to Israel,” adding that they would be allowed to meet their consular representatives.
The ministry said Israel would not allow any breach of what it called the “lawful” naval blockade of Gaza. It described the flotilla as “a PR stunt at the service of Hamas.”
The flotilla set sail from Türkiye’s Marmaris coast Thursday in a third attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver aid to Palestinians in the war-devastated enclave.
A previous flotilla, comprising about 20 boats and 175 activists, was intercepted by Israeli forces on April 30 near the southern Greek island of Crete. Two of the activists were detained for days before being released. Dozens of activists said they were mistreated, abused and beaten by Israeli forces.
The flotilla, carrying aid and medical staff, says it aims to draw international attention to dire conditions in Gaza, where much of the enclave lies in ruins. More than 72,000 people have been killed by Israeli fire and over 172,000 injured since October 2023, according to Gaza health authorities.
Israel began intercepting the ships on Monday morning.
The action, part of the U.S. Economic Fury campaign, targets more than 50 companies, individuals and vessels generating revenue for Tehran, the department said in a press release.
In addition, OFAC also blocked 19 vessels involved in Iranian petroleum and petrochemical shipments to foreign customers, “transactions that have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.”
The department is also prepared to take action against foreign companies supporting illicit Iranian commerce, including airlines, and may impose secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions that facilitate Iran’s activities, if necessary, the release said.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Tuesday designated and blocked a prominent Iranian foreign currency exchange house and associated front companies, claiming they oversee hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions on behalf of sanctioned Iranian banks.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said Iran’s leaders were “begging” to make a deal, but warned that a new U.S. attack could take place in the coming days if no agreement is reached.
He said the timeline could be Friday, the weekend or early next week, stressing that Washington “can’t let them have a new nuclear weapon.”
Trump said several Gulf allies had told him there was progress in negotiations brokered by Pakistan toward a peace deal so he would allow a “limited period of time” — two or three days, at least — for talks to continue.
The president said on Monday that this time was “a little bit different” from previously stalled talks in which Washington thought a deal was close.
“We’ve had periods of time where we had, we thought, pretty much getting close to making a deal, and it didn’t work out. But this is a little bit different,” Trump told reporters one day earlier.
In an interview with Fox News on Monday, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly also said “Iran must renounce their nuclear ambitions for good.”
Iran will “open new fronts” against the United States if the latter resumes attacks, Iran’s ISNA news agency reported, citing Iran’s army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia.
“If the enemy acts foolishly, falls into the Israeli trap and commits another aggression, we will open new fronts against them with new methods,” Akraminia was quoted as saying by ISNA on social media platform X.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said Iran’s leaders were “begging” to make a deal, but warned that a new U.S. attack could take place in the coming days if no agreement is reached.A woman walks past an anti-US billboard depicting US President Donald Trump and the Strait of Hormuz, in Tehran, Iran on May 17. PHOTO: Reuters
Commenting on the future of Rwanda’s deployment in northern Mozambique in a post on X, Nduhungirehe said the collaboration between Kigali and Maputo remains strong and effective, with the Government of Mozambique now directly securing funding for the continued presence of Rwandan security forces.
Rwanda deployed its security forces to Cabo Delgado in 2021 at the invitation of the Mozambican government to help combat insurgency and restore stability in the gas-rich region.
Nduhungirehe said the mission has delivered significant results over the past five years, including the restoration of peace and security, the return of displaced families, the reopening of businesses, and the resumption of education activities.
He also noted that the intervention created conditions for major international energy investments, including approximately $50 billion in liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects led by European and American companies, to safely resume operations.
During the mission, Rwanda received support through the European Peace Facility (EPF), although Kigali maintains that the assistance represented only a small fraction of the actual costs incurred by Rwanda in Mozambique.
Nduhungirehe criticised what he described as the politicisation of Rwanda’s requests for continued support from Brussels by certain EU member states, saying some countries, including “our two former colonial powers unfairly”, turned a successful regional security effort into criticism directed at Rwanda.
“Rwanda came back to the basics and decided to deal exclusively with the Government of Mozambique,” the minister said on Tuesday, emphasising that Maputo has committed to ensuring the necessary funding for Rwandan troops operating in Cabo Delgado.
The minister stressed that the partnership between the two countries remains appreciated by Mozambique and will continue along the same path as both nations work to preserve stability in the region.
Rwanda and Mozambique, in August last year, renewed the Status of Forces Agreement on Support to the Fight Against Terrorism in Mozambique during a visit by Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo.
The agreement extended Rwanda’s military support in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, where Rwandan forces have been deployed to combat Islamist insurgents.
“Thanks to this cooperation, we can see peace returning to the region,” President Chapo said, acknowledging Rwanda’s role in stabilising Cabo Delgado despite ongoing sporadic attacks.
Commenting on the future of Rwanda’s deployment in northern Mozambique in a post on X, Nduhungirehe said the collaboration between Kigali and Maputo remains strong and effective, with the Government of Mozambique now directly securing funding for the continued presence of Rwandan security forces.
The President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, approved the decision as part of efforts to strengthen African integration and make movement across the continent easier.
Following this approval, on May 18, 2026, Togo’s Minister of Security, Calixte Batossie Madjoulba, officially announced that the visa-free policy applies to all African citizens holding valid passports.
According to the minister, the move is intended to promote free movement of people and goods, strengthen cooperation among African countries, and encourage economic and cultural exchanges across the continent.
Togo also said it aims to position itself as a major African hub for services, trade, culture, and other continental activities. Authorities believe opening the country’s borders more widely will help achieve that goal.
With this decision, Togo joins countries such as Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin, which have adopted similar visa-free policies for African travelers in recent years.
However, Togo clarified that travelers must still respect immigration, security, and public health regulations. Authorities also warned that people who enter or stay in the country illegally, or violate security and administrative rules, will still face legal action.
Togo has become the sixth African country to scrap visa requirements for African passport holders.
Rusesabagina, who was released in March 2023 through a presidential pardon after serving part of a 25-year sentence for terrorism-related crimes, recently claimed that after his arrest he was pressured to cooperate with the Rwandan government and offered senior positions in return.
The remarks were made during a conversation with his supporters and have since sparked criticism, with some observers questioning the consistency of his statements.
In a letter addressed to President Paul Kagame in October 2022 while requesting clemency, Rusesabagina had written that he no longer had any political ambitions and intended to leave issues related to Rwanda’s politics behind him.
However, his latest comments appear to depart from that position.
Among the claims drawing attention is his assertion that officials from the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and the prosecution allegedly offered him high-ranking government roles if he agreed to work with the authorities.
According to Rusesabagina, he was told he could choose to become an ambassador, a minister, or even vice president, with only the presidency being out of reach.
Critics have dismissed the claims as implausible, noting that Rwanda’s political system does not even include the position of vice president.
One analyst who spoke to IGIHE questioned why a suspect facing serious criminal charges would allegedly be promised senior political office instead of being prosecuted.
The analyst also argued that if such discussions had ever taken place, Rusesabagina would likely have mentioned them much earlier, given the many interviews and public appearances he has made over the years.
Rusesabagina further claimed that after those conversations, he was driven around Kigali and shown development projects while being asked why he opposed a country focused on rebuilding itself.
Another source interviewed by IGIHE described the account as difficult to believe, arguing that it would be highly unusual for a detainee to be taken on such tours while under arrest.
Some of Rusesabagina’s recent statements have also contradicted earlier accounts regarding the conditions of his detention.
He recently suggested that he was mistreated and physically weakened when first presented to the media after his arrest. Yet previous reports and testimonies from people who visited him during detention described relatively comfortable conditions.
Sources familiar with his stay at Remera Police Station said he was allowed to select meals from hotel menus and could request additional items, including wine.
A person who once visited him during detention told IGIHE that they even shared fruit together during the visit.
Rusesabagina has also claimed that while in prison he lived in harsh isolation, rarely interacted with other inmates, and spent very limited time outside his cell.
However, former inmates and visitors at Kigali’s Mageragere Prison previously described his conditions differently, saying he had access to books, furniture, and space to receive visitors.
Another point of contention concerns his claim that he was held in a small room without windows. Footage previously recorded during a visit by journalists from Kigali Today appeared to show a room with an open window allowing natural light inside.
Rusesabagina also alleged that on the day of his release, Radio Rwanda reported that Parliament and the Senate had convened to approve his release.
That claim has also been challenged, as his release followed a presidential pardon process and did not require approval from Parliament.
Rusesabagina was released in March 2023 through a presidential pardon.
Multiple sources familiar with the ongoing operation told the Ugandan media that security deployment around the residence remained heavy throughout the day, with movement in and out of the property reportedly being closely monitored following overnight searches conducted by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and other security agencies.
Central to the widening inquiry are specific allegations surrounding the Speaker’s recent acquisition of a luxury Rolls-Royce Cullinan, an asset valued at an estimated 3.4 billion Ugandan shillings (roughly $900,000), with an additional 1.2 billion Ugandan shillings assessed in taxes. The multi-billion shilling SUV became a major flashpoint following a formal petition delivered to the Inspectorate of Government on May 13 by Kampala-based lawyers and activists.
The petitioners argue that the high-end vehicle points to either a complete failure to declare the asset or a severe under-declaration of wealth, in direct violation of the biennial disclosure requirements under Section 4 of the Leadership Code Act. While associates of the Speaker initially defended the acquisition as a personal birthday gift, investigators are reportedly scrutinising the vehicle’s funding sources amid broader public and political outrage over ostentatious displays of wealth by public officials.
Sources alleged that personnel linked to the Special Forces Command were maintaining surveillance around the residence as investigators continued reviewing materials obtained during late Saturday night operations.
“She is under very tight restriction and security monitoring as investigations continue,” one source was quoted as saying, although authorities had not officially confirmed any form of house arrest by Sunday afternoon.
Another source said access to the property had been significantly limited as investigators examined documents and electronic materials recovered during the searches.
The latest developments come amid a widening corruption probe that has reportedly expanded to several individuals linked to Among.
Investigators also reportedly seized a mobile phone belonging to the Speaker during Saturday’s operation, with sources saying the device is expected to undergo detailed forensic examination as part of the investigation.
It remained unclear which specific agency was in custody of the phone, as the joint operation is understood to involve CID, military intelligence and other state security units.
Sources familiar with the investigation said forensic experts are expected to analyse communications, electronic transactions, financial records and other digital information stored on the device.
“The phone is now considered important evidence in the ongoing investigations,” one source said.
Another source claimed investigators were particularly interested in recovering deleted messages, call records, documents and other digital communications linked to the case.
Ugandan security and intelligence agencies have in recent years strengthened their cyber and digital forensic capabilities, allowing investigators to retrieve and analyse data from electronic devices, including deleted files and messages.
The probe intensified after Inspector General of Government Aisha Batala Nalule confirmed that her office had received formal complaints alleging possible violations of the Leadership Code Act, including failure to fully declare wealth and assets.
The political fallout from the investigation has also begun reshaping the race for the Speakership. The Patriotic League of Uganda, led by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, recently withdrew support for Among and instead endorsed Defence Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth for Speaker.
By Sunday afternoon, neither the Uganda Police Force, the UPDF nor Among’s legal team had issued an official statement regarding the reported house restrictions or seizure of the phone.
Security and intelligence agencies raided Anita Among’s residence. Among the items seized was Anita Among’s mobile phone.
Angolan President João Lourenço, the former Chairperson of the African Union (AU), reportedly advised Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi that achieving lasting peace in the DRC would require engaging in dialogue with all Congolese stakeholders willing to participate, including armed opposition groups fighting against the government.
Lourenço proposed that Angola facilitate and oversee the talks in order to guarantee the safety and confidence of all participants. He suggested that the discussions be held either in Luanda or another neutral location outside Kinshasa.
In January 2026, Lourenço met with representatives of the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church from the DRC, alongside other political and social actors expected to participate in the dialogue.
Following the consultations, he prepared a report summarizing their proposals and recommendations.
Later that month, Angola’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tete António, traveled to Kinshasa to deliver the report to President Tshisekedi and brief him on the outcome of the consultations held with various Congolese stakeholders.
The issue remained largely out of public discussion until May 14, when Tshisekedi sent a six-member delegation to Angola to formally present his response to Lourenço’s January report.
According to the message delivered by the Congolese delegation, Tshisekedi rejected the proposal to hold the national dialogue outside the DRC.
He insisted that the talks should be organized, managed, and led exclusively by Congolese state institutions and take place in Kinshasa.
Tshisekedi further stated that Angola’s role should be limited to engaging with Congolese individuals or groups unwilling to travel to Kinshasa due to security concerns, before forwarding their views and recommendations to the Congolese government.
The Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, and opposition groups in the DRC have consistently argued that no Congolese stakeholder should be excluded from the dialogue process. They have specifically called for the participation of the AFC/M23 coalition, which is currently engaged in armed conflict with Congolese government forces.
However, the Congolese government strongly opposed that proposal. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya stated that individuals who have taken up arms and are “killing Congolese citizens” should not be included in political negotiations, but instead should face justice for their actions.
Religious leaders involved in the initiative emphasized that the dialogue should focus on the root causes of Congo’s recurring crises since independence, particularly issues related to security, governance, economic development, social welfare, and national unity.
According to reports, representatives of the Congolese government informed President Lourenço that Tshisekedi does not support the dialogue framework proposed by the Catholic and Anglican Churches and instead prefers a different approach to the process.
Tshisekedi stated that the Congolese national dialogue must be organized and led by the DRC government and held in Kinshasa.Tshisekedi stated that Angola’s role should be limited to engaging with Congolese individuals or groups unwilling to travel to Kinshasa due to security concerns.
