Video shows the moment a military jet crashed in Kuwait, as the crew ejected from the flaming plane. Residents who rushed to the scene of the crash said the aircraft and crew were American, the country’s defence ministry confirmed it was a US jet.
Videos show smoke rising from a refinery operated by Saudi Aramco after a fire broke out, which Saudi officials say was caused by debris from an intercepted Iranian missile. Oil prices have surged sharply amid the disruption and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears over global supply.
Deir el-Balah/Gaza City – When Hani Abu Issa headed to the Deir el-Balah market on Saturday morning, he was not carrying a long shopping list. He had only intended to buy ingredients for his family’s Ramadan iftar meal, nothing more.
But the sight of crowds gathered in front of grocery shops caught him by surprise and prompted him to ask what was happening.
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A passer-by told him that Israel had struck Iran and war had broken out.
Hani was shocked as he watched people around him leaving one after another, carrying sacks of flour on their shoulders, and buying whatever food supplies and goods they could manage.
That was how the first hours of the military confrontation between Israel, joined by the United States, and Iran unfolded in Gaza.
The scene in the enclave changed completely as people everywhere rushed to the market to buy sugar, flour, cooking oil and yeast.
Shelves began to empty, and the price of essential goods increased.
A father of five children, 51-year-old Hani told Al Jazeera that he believes the Israel-US war with Iran “will not directly affect Gaza”. But he admits that people in Gaza are no longer able to react calmly to any military development in the region.
“People have become afraid of everything. Since the morning, everyone rushed to the markets to stockpile, and that led to shortages of many goods and rising prices,” he said, while standing in front of food stalls in the Deir el-Balah market, in central Gaza.
Anxiety among residents intensified after COGAT, the Israeli body managing the Palestinian territory, released a statement on its Facebook page on Saturday evening announcing the closure of crossings leading to Gaza and the occupied West Bank “until further notice”, in light of security developments related to the war with Iran.
Hani said the possibility of crossings remaining closed deeply worried him.
“Flour, sugar, cooking oil, and yeast… those were the first things to disappear from the market because of the heavy demand,” he said.
“I lived through famine [during Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza] like everyone else. The worst days were when I had to buy a sack of flour for more than 1,000 shekels [$319]. I don’t want to relive that experience.”
He said that stockpiling while the crossings remained closed was not a viable solution.
“Goods run out quickly, and the conditions we live in may spoil whatever we store. All we need is for someone to reassure us that the closure of the crossings will not last.
“For someone to tell us that we will not be affected.”
Local sources reported that the crossing closures were linked to the Jewish holiday of Purim, which created confusion over how long they would last.
“We cannot be certain or confirm anything. Israel’s word cannot be relied upon, and no specific duration was given,” Hani added in frustration.
“Gaza has not recovered from two years of war and famine. All I think about now is traveling and leaving with my two daughters to live in another country. That is enough.”
At around the same time last year, during Ramadan last March, Palestinians in Gaza endured one of the harshest phases of the war after crossings were closed and goods were prevented from entering for extended periods, leading to shortages of food supplies and price hikes that resulted in the spread of famine.
Israel’s policy of starvation at the time faced widespread condemnation. Markets turned into empty spaces, flour prices soared to record highs, and people died due to severe malnutrition.
![Omar Al-Ghazali sells groceries from his food stall in Nuseirat market in central Gaza [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/ Al Jazeera]](https://i0.wp.com/www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/873A4837-1772398146.jpg?w=696&ssl=1)
In the Nuseirat market, where people are still frantically buying groceries, 28-year-old seller Omar Al-Ghazali told Al Jazeera that the famine experience has left a deep psychological impact.
“People’s fear is completely justified. They were shocked and frightened and want to secure themselves. They learned from the previous famine experience and from fears of trader hoarding,” the father of four said.
“Today, although the war is not taking place on Gaza’s land, the fear of repeating the famine scenario appears stronger than any logical analysis of the regional situation,” he added.
“We cannot tell people not to buy. What they went through was extremely difficult. We try to convince ourselves that things are fine and that no one will be affected, but fear is stronger.”
Not everyone can afford to stockpile.
Asmaa Abu Al-Khair, 38, was wandering through the Gaza City market on Sunday, visibly confused. A mother of eight, she wants to stock up, but lacks both the financial ability and the space.
“Where would we store it? And what would I even store? We need everything, and we can barely provide our daily food during Ramadan,” she told Al Jazeera as she walked empty-handed through the market.
“I feel great anxiety. Everyone is talking about it – about Iran’s strike and the closure of the crossings – and I cannot afford to buy what I need, while at the same time, I am afraid of famine returning. I have young children,” she said sorrowfully.
Asmaa said many displaced families living in nearby tents were facing the same reality as they “do not have the money to buy supplies, nor the space to store them inside the tents”.
“We endured so much hardship during the war, and it barely ended with the announcement of a ceasefire. So why close the crossing now? What do we have to do with what is happening? Is what we witnessed not enough? Why play with people’s nerves?”
Until yesterday evening, Asmaa had hoped the crossings would not be closed and that things would continue as they were. Then, the announcement came.
“It felt like a stab in my heart. I went to sleep with deep frustration,” she said bitterly.
![Mohammed Daher chose not to stockpile, saying he is exhausted by the repeated Israeli crossing closures, particularly those that coincided with Ramadan last year [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/ Al Jazeera]](https://i0.wp.com/www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/873A4880-1772398240.jpg?w=696&ssl=1)
Mohammed Daher, 46, from Jabalia, who is now displaced and living in Deir el-Balah, said he had been living the spirit of Ramadan “calmly and peacefully”, without war or gunfire for the first time in two years, until the news of war with Iran.
“I found myself lost again. But I decided not to stockpile anything,” he told Al Jazeera while looking around the market.
“We are exhausted. I reached a point where I have grown used to all scenarios,” he said despairingly. “Israel is looking for any pretext to starve Gaza’s residents again and deepen their humanitarian crisis.”
Daher said he had spent most of his money during the previous famine buying basic food items at inflated prices.
“Everything was priced like gold… if you could even find it. Today, I have no energy left to endure that torment again. Let whatever happens, happen.”
There were widespread reactions to the Israeli closure decision on social media, as Palestinians questioned whether they were on the brink of an even harsher phase of Israel’s treatment. Many people accused Israel of closing the crossings to push Palestinians towards further starvation and collective suffering.
Some wondered whether Israel was using the moment to create more suffering for Palestinians in Gaza while the world was distracted by the war with Iran.
Ali al-Hayek, a member of the Palestinian Businessmen Association in Gaza, warned that closing the crossings could halt aid distribution to struggling families and put a pause on charitable kitchens. It would also obstruct urgent medical travel abroad, particularly for those who are wounded, in critical condition or living with chronic diseases, such as cancer.
He pointed out that Gaza’s economy has already contracted by more than 85 percent because of Israel’s genocidal war, with the majority of the population pushed below the poverty line, unemployment reaching nearly 80 percent, and more than 97 percent of industrial facilities ceasing operations.
Al-Hayek called on the international community to intervene immediately and pressure the Israeli side to reopen the crossings and restore their normal operations, while ensuring freedom of movement for individuals and goods.
As Nepal’s rival parties make a last push on the final day of Nepal’s election campaign, interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki has appealed to people to vote and maintain peace.
The Himalayan republic will elect a new parliament on Thursday, replacing the interim government that has led the country of 30 million people since the September 2025 uprising, in which at least 77 people were killed.
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Two weeks of campaigning have showcased a wave of younger candidates promising to tackle Nepal’s struggling economy, challenging veteran politicians who have dominated for two decades, and promising stability and security.
“To move the country forward on the path of political stability and prosperity, all voters should participate in the upcoming elections,” Karki, a former chief justice, said in a television broadcast to the nation on Monday.
“I sincerely appeal to you to go to your polling station and vote on Thursday, even if you have to leave other work.”
She also pleaded for calm. “I request everyone to maintain peace and harmony during this election season,” she said. “It is only with your active participation that our democracy will survive.”
Referring to the election being held six months after the Gen Z-led protests, Karki said the situation was “complex, sensitive and challenging”.
“Our first duty was to manage that difficult transition, lead the country from the violent phase to a peaceful exit and return it to the path of the constitution,” she said, adding that the Election Commission had completed all preparations.
“The government of Nepal and the commission are fully committed to conducting the election in a fair, free and fearless manner,” she said.
Nearly 19 million people have registered to vote, including 800,000 likely to take part for the first time.
They will elect members to the 275-seat House of Representatives, the lower house, with 165 chosen via a direct vote and 110 through proportional representation.
More than 3,400 candidates are competing in the direct vote, 30 percent aged below 40 years.
Among the key figures is KP Sharma Oli, the 74-year-old Marxist leader ousted as prime minister last year.
He faces a high-profile challenge in his home constituency from former Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician widely known as Balen.
Their constituency of Jhapa-5 – a mix of towns and farming settlements in Nepal’s eastern plains, with the world’s highest peaks on the horizon – has emerged as a crucial battleground.
Oli, speaking to the AFP news agency, blamed “anarchic forces” for the violence that led to his removal and denied ordering security forces to kill protesters during the unrest.
Shah, from the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has cast himself as a symbol of youth-driven political change. “Gen Z’s number one demand is good governance, because there is a high level of corruption in the country,” he told AFP.
But he is not the only one wooing the youth vote and aspiring to be the prime minister.
Gagan Thapa, 49, the new head of the country’s oldest party, Nepali Congress, told AFP he wanted to end the “old age” club of revolving veteran leaders.
Thapa, a former health minister who took charge of the party in January, said he offers voters the “right mix of energy and experience”.
The last day of campaigning comes just before Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, with some candidates combining celebrations with their rallies.
Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami fought back from two goals down to beat Orlando City 4-2 in the Florida derby.
The reigning champions, who lost their season opener against Los Angeles FC last month, looked set for another defeat when goals from Marco Pasalic and Martin Ojeda put Orlando 2-0 up inside 25 minutes.
But after midfielder Mateo Silvetti’s stunning 25-yard drive just after half-time gave Miami hope in Orlando, the Argentina legend grasped control of the game.
The 38-year-old scored his first goal of the season to equalise in the 57th minute with a left-footed strike from the edge of the area, then set up midfielder Telasco Segovia to score with five minutes remaining.
Messi sealed victory in the 90th minute when his low free-kick crept past Maxime Crepeau and he celebrated with a signing gesture towards the touchline.
“He’s the best player to ever play this sport. He’s a leader, and as a leader, he inspires others, but he also often needs to be inspired himself,” said Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
“He has the ability to create chances like no-one else, and that’s what allowed us to turn the game around.”
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has now scored 898 goals for club and country, including 79 in 90 appearances for Miami.
As goals go, you don’t get much better than Youssef Chermiti’s two for Rangers in Sunday’s draw with Celtic, especially his overhead kick opener.
Watch: Rangers v Celtic – Sportscene highlights
Comparisons to Scott McTominay’s opener for Scotland in the World Cup-qualifying clinching 4-2 win against Denmark in November quickly followed.
But where does it rank in Old Firm encounters of the 21st Century? Let’s have a look back at previous stunners in the fixture.
Sunday’s 2-2 draw was far from the first derby Martin O’Neill has overseen as Celtic manager. In his first, way back in 2000, Celtic won 6-2, with Henrik Larsson scoring an audacious chip over Stefan Klos.
SNSBert Konterman’s rising long-range strike secured a 2-1 extra-time win over Celtic in the 2002 Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden. Rangers went on to win the trophy.
SNSThree years later, Shaun Maloney, now Celtic’s assistant manager, lit up a League Cup derby win with an outstanding effort from distance at Celtic Park, the opener in a 2-0 success.
SNSWhen Walter Smith returned to Rangers as manager in 2007, he brought with him the knack of recording unlikely wins in derbies. A March 2007 victory at Celtic Park was sealed by Ugo Ehiogu’s overhead kick.
SNSCeltic needed a win over Rangers in April 2008 and Shunsuke Nakamura’s unstoppable shot from long range set them on their way to a 2-1 win. They eventually won the league on the last day.
SNSFour months later, Pedro Mendes produced a trademark piledriver as part of a 4-2 Rangers victory at Celtic Park.
SNSThe second goal in a 4-0 win in a September 2022 win, Jota’s chip showed all the class of Larsson’s 22 years earlier.
SNSKyogo Furuhashi had an outstanding scoring record in the fixture and his beauty of a left-foot strike proved to be the winner in a December 2023 win for eventual champions Celtic.
SNSAnd, last season, Hamza Igamane matched that power with a late winner in Rangers’ 3-2 Celtic Park victory.
PA MediaThe third of Chermiti’s four goals against Celtic this season will live long in the memory.
What information do we collect from this quiz?
