Today, NewsForKids.net looks at the tense situation in the Middle East and at an earthquake in the Philippines. Despite ceasefires, attacks broke out between Israel and Iran this weekend, challenging any peace talks. And a powerful earthquake has caused serious damage on the Philippine island of Mindanao.
Israel and Iran Trade Attacks
Tensions in the Middle East have risen after Israel and Iran traded attacks over the last two days, despite the current ceasefires. On Monday, both sides said they were stopping their attacks, but the situation remains tense.
US President Donald Trump says the US is close to reaching a peace deal with Iran. But the exchange of attacks threatened those efforts.
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Tensions in the Middle East have risen after Israel and Iran traded attacks over the last two days, despite the current ceasefires. Iran says it will only sign a peace deal if Israel stops attacking Hezbollah in Lebanon. Above, smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon on Sunday.
Iran says it will only sign a peace deal if Israel stops attacking Hezbollah – a militant group in Lebanon supported by Iran.
On Sunday, Israel’s military attacked the city of Beirut in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah. Iran responded by firing missiles at Israel. Iran-supported Houthi militants in Yemen also fired missiles at Israel.
To calm things down, Mr. Trump said he would ask Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to respond. Though the two men spoke, Israel did respond, sending warplanes to strike several targets in Iran, including an Iranian chemical plant.
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On Sunday, Israel’s military attacked the city of Beirut in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah. Iran responded by firing missiles at Israel. Above, Iranian missiles fired at Israel are seen in the skies over Jerusalem on Sunday. Though both sides say the fighting has stopped for now, tensions remain high.
The fighting raised concerns that large-scale fighting might break out again. Though both sides say the fighting has stopped for now, tensions remain high.
The war on Iran – along with Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz – have already caused huge problems around the world. Now there are concerns that the Houthis might block the Bab al-Mandab Strait, on the western side of the Arabian peninsula. That could cause fuel and other prices to shoot up even higher.
Note: From now on, most updates on the situation in the Middle East will be found on the following page: War in the Middle East.
Philippines Struck by Powerful Earthquake
On Monday morning, a powerful earthquake struck in the southern Philippines, killing 35 people and injuring at least 144. The 7.8 magnitude quake damaged buildings and caused landslides. It was felt as far away as Indonesia.
The earthquake was centered at the southern edge of the island of Mindanao, and most of the quake’s damage happened on that island. In General Santos City, parts of a restaurant and a shopping center collapsed.
(Source: Philippine Air Force [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons.)
The quake struck at 7:37 a.m., just as schools were beginning a new school year. Part of one high school building collapsed while students were waiting outside.
The government has sent people to help those affected. Rescue teams are working to clear roads so they can reach those in need. The Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said, “The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind.”
(Source: Dept. of Social Welfare and Development [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons.)
Schools around Mindanao were closed, and Mr. Marcos said they would remain closed until it is certain that they are safe.
Earthquakes aren’t unusual in the Philippines, which is located in an area called the “Ring of Fire”. The Ring of Fire is a large area in Asia where earthquakes and volcanoes are common. The island nation is also hit by multiple typhoons and powerful storms every year.