US Indo-Pacific Command commander Samuel Paparo said it took 73 C-17 transport flights to move a Patriot battalion from East Asia to the Middle East. US Naval Forces Central Command announced that Carrier Strike Group One, led by the aircraft carrier CVN 70 Carl Vinson, has arrived in the Middle East. “We have deployed squadrons of F-35 fighter jets to the Middle East, as well as THAAD and Patriot air defense systems,” a US administration official told Al Arabiya.
According to CNN, US President Trump is considering visiting Turkey as part of his Middle East tour. The final decision has not yet been made, but after Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the talks could move to Turkey.
CNN, citing a source involved in the prisoner exchange negotiations: “There is a significant difference in the momentum of the negotiations between Dermer and the heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet. There is a real sense of urgency and pressure from Washington and the mediators. There is no clarity on Israel’s objective and American patience is running out. Hamas’s obstinacy does not help, but it is necessary to take into account the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. With Netanyahu’s dismissal of security experts in favor of Dermer, the aim is to give him more control.” Palestinian sources reported that the Hamas delegation, led by Abu Osama Al-Hayya, has received an invitation to visit Cairo and, if there is no emergency, is expected to leave for Cairo in the next few hours.
Israel Hayom: “There is progress in the negotiations for the exchange agreement. The gaps in reaching the agreement are not necessarily in the number of prisoners released, but rather in the conditions that will accompany what will happen during the negotiations on the ‘second phase’ and what the situation will be after those negotiations.”
Meanwhile, two Shin Bet figures are operating in Israel.
The plane carrying the Israeli delegation to Baku to meet with the Turkish delegation, which took off from Ben Gurion Airport, was not allowed to fly over Turkish airspace, the Israeli Kan News channel reported. The Israeli plane was forced to fly over the Black Sea on a different route because Turkey did not allow it to use its airspace. The first meeting of the delegations did not produce any results. The negotiations will continue.
Steve Witkoff and a senior Iranian leader will hold direct talks on Saturday, US Secretary of State Rubio said. Iran may offer to discuss an interim nuclear deal during talks with the US in Oman, Axios reported. He said Iranian officials believe it is unrealistic to reach a comprehensive and “technically complex” deal in two months.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun made a surprise visit to the Vehicle Registration Center (Nafaa), accompanied by Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar, to inspect operations. He urged employees not to cover up corruption, saying, “Those who cover up corruption are complicit. You need to be our eyes here. Report any wrongdoing.” After the visit, Aoun headed to the Port of Beirut, where he met with Acting Director General of Customs Raymond Khoury to oversee operations at the customs department and security checks. Aoun said from the port of Beirut: “I stress the need for proper customs control of imported goods, proper collection of duties and strict action against violations.” Israel said that weapons for Hezbollah pass through the port.
And now a look at the military scenarios updated at 15:30 on April 11. Network X has blocked the account of Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree.
In the early afternoon of April 11, five Israeli tanks were stationed in the Al-Tulul Al-Hamra area, north of Quneitra governorate, accompanied by about 100 men. Israeli warplanes over southern Syria and the Golan Heights.
Reports from Lebanon are of an Israeli artillery shelling targeting the Abu Laban neighborhood in Aita al-Shaab, southern Lebanon. Israeli forces moved through the Wazzani area, near Al-Omra and the riverbed, conducting foot patrols. A large UNIFIL force, supported by an ambulance, arrived later and positioned itself near the area of the Lebanese Army base in Al-Omra, southern Lebanon.
Israeli artillery shelled another excavator in Aita al-Shaab, after targeting two others yesterday. The Lebanese Army is on high alert in the Al-Humaidh area (outskirts of Alma al-Shaab) after confronting an Israeli force that violated the Blue Line and forced it to retreat after it entered to carry out demolition and tree felling operations.
Al Jadeed TV reports: “The Lebanese Army is close to dismantling all Hezbollah infrastructure south of the Litani River. The Lebanese Army entered Hezbollah’s training camps north of the Litani River without its consent. The Lebanese state plans to complete the first phase, ask Israel to withdraw completely and then Hezbollah to hand over all its remaining weapons!”.
The IDF confirms that the commander of Hamas’ Shajaiya Battalion was killed on April 10 in Gaza. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health – Gaza: “In the past 24 hours, 26 dead and 106 wounded have arrived in hospitals in the Gaza Strip. Several victims are still under the rubble and on the streets, and ambulances and civil defense are unable to reach them.
Two Israeli raids recorded on agricultural lands east of Al-Sha’af area, east of Al-Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City. A large wave of displacement was recorded from Shuja’iyya and eastern Khan Yunis due to evacuation orders and ongoing attacks. It is clear that the army is working to evacuate the eastern sector of the Strip with the aim of emptying it and completing its destruction, and it just needs time to do so.
Fires broke out in citizens’ homes in Al-Muntar area and in the surrounding eastern areas of Shuja’iyya neighborhood, east of Gaza City. Renewed artillery shelling in north of Rafah city, southern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces have been carrying out airstrikes and artillery shelling since the early hours of the morning, targeting the Al-Salam neighborhood, south of Khan Yunis.
Israeli media reports that Israeli forces will reinforce their troops with six companies in the West Bank during Passover, which begins on Sunday. IDF bulldozers begin excavation work near the “Al-Zinat” station in Tulkarm camp, which has been under widespread attack for two and a half months.
According to Israel Hayom: “Last week, security forces arrested 85 wanted women during an operation in Judea and Samaria (West Bank). Preparation for Passover, as well as preparations for increased arrests and fighting in Judea and Samaria.”
Israel forces residents of the northern neighborhood of Tulkarm to evacuate their homes.
Antonio Albanese e Graziella Giangiulio
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