Middle East Roundup: Pakistan joins regional powers to press diplomacy amid widening Middle East tensions

This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.

Catch up on Tuesday's top developments here:

• Qatar, Egypt, Turkey condemn Israel over Gaza 'violations'
• Iran thanks Pakistan for support during conflict with Israel and US

• Global markets climb while oil prices bounce back from sharp falls

• Qatar blames Israel for delayed implementation of Gaza peace plan

• US Treasury Secretary says chance of Hormuz deal with Iran by Wednesday

Israel military will continue to 'operate proactively' in Gaza: army chief

Published: Aug 5, 2026 | 18:13 GMT | by AFP

Israel's military chief said the country's forces would keep operating "proactively" in the Gaza Strip, vowing to "continue to pursue those responsible" for Hamas's October 7 attack that triggered the war.

"In the Gaza Strip, we have struck Hamas, significantly weakened it, and fundamentally changed the security reality," Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said while visiting troops in Gaza, according to a military statement. "The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will continue to operate proactively and according to the principle we established -- to remove threats and, in every situation, protect the communities and their residents and safeguard their security."

Iran says has agreed new Hormuz route with Oman

Published: Aug 5, 2026 | 15:53 GMT | by AFP

Iran and Oman have agreed a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and are putting the final touches on arrangements for jointly managing the passage, Tehran's foreign ministry said Wednesday.

"The geographical coordinates of the route envisaged by the two sides have been agreed upon and, if certain third parties do not obstruct the process, the joint statement of the two countries, containing the main considerations and points of agreement, is also in the final review and drafting stage," spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, according to state news agency IRNA.

R-4 urges regional diplomacy

Published: Aug 5, 2026 | 14:22 GMT | by Web Desk

Foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt on Wednesday reviewed the evolving regional situation, including Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, and reaffirmed the importance of continued consultation and close coordination to promote regional stability, Pakistan's Foreign Office said.

The fourth meeting of the Regional Four (R-4) was held on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem in Jordan, with Pakistan represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. 

According to the Foreign Office, the ministers stressed that "dialogue and diplomacy remain essential to fostering stability and preventing further escalation in the region."

The ministers also reiterated their "unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people," including their right to self-determination and the establishment of "an independent, sovereign Palestinian State on the basis of the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital," in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The Foreign Office said the R-4 further reaffirmed that "a just, comprehensive, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue remains indispensable to achieving enduring peace and stability in the Middle East," underscoring the group's continued support for diplomatic efforts to address the regional crisis.

Lebanon state media says one dead, 11 wounded in Israeli strike on south

Published: Aug 5, 2026 | 13:16 GMT | by AFP

Lebanese official media on Wednesday said an Israeli attack on the country's south killed one person.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) said the Israeli strike "targeted the roof of a prayer area of the cemetery in the town of Tibnin", killing one person and wounding 11 others.

UKMTO reports vessel sunk after uncrewed surface vessel attack off Yemen

Published: Aug 5, 2026 | 11:59 GMT | by Web Desk

A vessel has reportedly sunk after being attacked by an Uncrewed Surface Vessel approximately 9 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukha, Yemen, according to a UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) warning.

UKMTO said it received a time-late report of the incident from the vessel's Company Security Officer (CSO). According to the report, the vessel was attacked by an Uncrewed Surface Vessel, which caused a fire onboard.

The crew were rescued by local authorities and are reported to be safe and well.

The vessel has been reported as sunk, the statement said. 

UKMTO has advised vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity while authorities continue to investigate the incident.

Palestinians report tear gas exposure during Israeli raid near Jerusalem
Published: Aug 5, 2026 | 11:12 GMT | by Web Desk

Several Palestinians were affected by tear gas during an Israeli military operation in Abu Dis, east of Jerusalem, Palestinian officials said Wednesday.

According to the WAFA news agency, the Jerusalem Governorate said Israeli forces used tear gas and stun grenades during the raid in the town, causing residents to suffer breathing difficulties.

Gaza reports more than 73,000 deaths since Israel siege began
Published: Aug 5, 2026 | 10:33 GMT | by Web Desk

The number of people reported killed in Gaza since the start of Israel’s military campaign has risen above 73,000, according to Palestinian medical sources cited by the WAFA news agency.
According to the Palestinian news agency, 73,381 Palestinians had been killed and 174,231 wounded since the conflict began.

The figures include 1,254 deaths and 4,121 injuries recorded since the October 11 ceasefire. WAFA reported that rescue teams had recovered 804 bodies from buildings damaged or destroyed during the fighting.

Recovery operations have continued in several areas, but emergency teams have faced difficulties reaching people believed to be trapped under rubble or in locations that remain inaccessible.

Hong Kong airline profit soars despite higher fuel costs 
Published: Aug 5, 2026 | 9:45 GMT | by AFP

Cathay Pacific reported a 71% increase in first-half net profit to HK$6.2 billion ($795 million), despite a sharp rise in fuel costs linked to the Middle East War. Revenue rose 25.3% year-on-year to HK$68 billion, driven by strong passenger demand and higher cargo performance, the Hong Kong carrier said Wednesday.

The airline said passenger revenue climbed 26.3% as more travelers transited through Hong Kong to avoid disruptions in the Middle East. However, fuel costs rose 59.1% from a year earlier and nearly doubled between the first and second quarters, prompting multiple fuel surcharge adjustments.

Cathay Pacific said it remains cautiously optimistic about the rest of the year and expects to meet its target of around 10% passenger capacity growth. The airline also said it plans to add up to 150 aircraft over the next decade if market conditions remain favorable.

Its shares rose 2.8% in Hong Kong following the earnings report.

West Bank communities report disruptions linked to Israeli forces and settlers
Published: Aug 5, 2026 | 8:47 GMT | by Web Desk

Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank reported new restrictions and infrastructure concerns on Wednesday, including the closure of a major heritage site near Bethlehem and alleged interference with water supplies south of Nablus.

According to WAFA news agency, Israeli forces closed the Solomon’s Pools area between al-Khader town and Artas village. Palestinian officials reported that troops blocked access roads and restricted movement around the historic site.

In a separate incident near Nablus, residents of Madma and Asira al-Qibliya said their water supply was affected after Israeli settlers allegedly redirected part of the local water network toward a nearby outpost.

Residents said damage to essential infrastructure, including water and electricity systems, has added to difficulties for communities in the area.

Yemen's Houthis say attacked Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea
Published: Aug 5, 2026 | 7:38 GMT | by AFP

Yemen's Houthis said on Wednesday that they attacked a Saudi oil tanker off Yanbu, in the Red Sea, as the rebels pressed on with their declared maritime blockade of the kingdom.

This was the eighth Saudi oil tanker targeted since the start of the blockade on July 22, a Houthi military spokesman said.

The group "successfully targeted the Saudi oil tanker 'Wafa' in the northern Red Sea, off the coast of Yanbu, with a number of ballistic missiles," Yahya Saree said in a video statement.

The Houthis declared they will escalate attacks in the northern Red Sea because Saudi Arabia is diverting its oil tankers there from the south in response to their blockade.

Netanyahu says Israel did not agree to US-backed Gaza plan
Published: Aug 5, 2026 | 5:59 GMT | by AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel did not agree to a US-backed plan for Gaza, even after receiving assurances that an Israeli pullout would only happen after Hamas disarms.

In a video posted to his social media accounts on Tuesday night, Netanyahu said the team of US President Donald Trump "believes that they can bring about the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza. We are checking this. They sent us a draft – we did not agree to it, it is not our draft. We sent our comments."

Netanyahu met with the US-backed Board of Peace on Monday and received guarantees that the Israeli army would only be required to leave its current positions in Gaza after Hamas disarms.
But pressure has been growing on the premier from his far-right coalition partners to reject the deal.

Trump describes US-Iran talks as 'positive' after 'daylong' negotiations
Published: Aug 5, 2026 | 4:09 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran were continuing after what he described as an “all-day discussion,” adding that the talks were progressing during an interview with Fox News’ “@Night” program on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Axios reported that the United States, Iran and Oman were nearing an interim agreement that could allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with Washington seeking to announce progress on the matter Wednesday.

The US president said the strategic waterway needed to reopen soon and warned that Iran could face a strong response if it remained closed.

“The strait is going to be open very soon, or they’re going to get hit very hard — and then the strait’s going to be open,” Trump said.

Tuesday's developments at a glance

Published: Aug 4, 2026 | 00:00 GMT | by AFP

Diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz dominated regional developments on Tuesday, as US officials said Washington and Tehran could reach an agreement within days. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a deal was possible by Wednesday, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said talks involving Oman and Iran had made progress on safer passage for ships.

Qatar said Pakistan and Oman were continuing efforts to facilitate communication between Iran and the United States and help bridge differences. Doha said regional mediators were working to ease tensions and support diplomatic efforts, while noting there were no direct US-Iran talks. 

Iran also thanked Pakistan for its role in supporting dialogue during its recent conflict with Israel and the United States.

Oil prices fell about 5% after US officials expressed optimism over a possible agreement. West Texas Intermediate dropped to $76.32 a barrel, while Brent crude fell below $80 before recovering as uncertainty remained. 

Maritime tracking data showed more than 30 million barrels of Iraqi crude passed through the Strait of Hormuz between July 4 and August 4.

The Strait of Hormuz remained a key concern for global energy markets, while wider regional tensions continued. US-backed talks between Israel and Lebanon began in Rome over security arrangements, and Gaza remained a focus of regional diplomacy. 

Hamas sought clarification over US statements on its disarmament

Yemen’s Houthis also claimed a drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s Najran Airport, though Saudi Aramco said its production was unaffected.

For earlier developments, read our Aug 4 live blog here