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Tuesday, March 24, 2026

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3 hours ago
Data
Politics

More Voters Blame GOP for DHS Shutdown, Airport Travel Chaos.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: More American voters blame the Republican Party than the Democratic Party for the partial government shutdown caused by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding lapse that has led to hours-long lines for airport security screenings.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Congressional Democrats, Congressional Republicans, DHS employees, and TSA workers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The shutdown began on February 14, 2026, impacting airports nationwide, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Democrats are being blamed by the American people for the catastrophe going on right now in our airports, and at other points of transportation and beyond,” insisted President Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: Over 400 TSA agents have quit, and wait times at some airports have stretched to nearly three hours, with ICE agents now deployed to assist TSA. The Democrats are refusing to allow funding unless curbs are placed on immigration enforcement.

IN FULL

Over one-third of American voters blame the Republican Party for the partial government shutdown caused by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding lapse that has hours-long lines for airport security screenings, as nearly half of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have now called off work without pay. According to a new JL Partners survey, 34 percent of voters blame the Republicans for the long lines and delays, compared to 25 percent who blame the Democrats. Another 20 percent said both parties were responsible, and 10 percent were unsure.

The funding lapse began on February 14, 2026, after Senate Democrats blocked a Republican-backed appropriations bill, demanding radical restrictions on the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions.

As a result of the funding impasse, roughly 50,000 TSA workers have been working without pay, leading to over 400 resignations. Airports across the U.S., such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, have experienced significant delays, with travelers advised to arrive hours early for their flights.

In response to the TSA work call-offs, President Donald J. Trump ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to be deployed to major American airports to assist with security screenings. The President has placed responsibility for the air travel chaos squarely on the Democrats, stating, “The Democrats are being blamed by the American people for the catastrophe going on right now in our airports, and at other points of transportation and beyond.”

The National Pulse reported on Monday that President Trump is urging Republican lawmakers to insist that any DHS funding deal include passage of the SAVE America Act, an election integrity bill with broad public support that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and a voter ID to cast a ballot in federal elections.

Image by Ted Eytan.

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3 minutes ago
Data
Politics

Ken Paxton is Beating John Cornyn in ANOTHER Poll. Here’s What the Data is Telling Us…

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A new poll shows Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) leading Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) in the Lone Star State’s Republican Senate runoff, with many former supporters of Representative Wesley Hunt (R-TX) now backing Paxton.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ken Paxton, John Cornyn, Wesley Hunt, and Texas Republican voters.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Poll results were reported on Tuesday; the runoff election is scheduled for May 26 in Texas.

💬KEY QUOTE: The runoff electorate is “largely settled, highly certain to vote, and not especially movable,” according to the Quantus Insights report.

🎯IMPACT: Paxton’s lead, voter certainty, and favorability ratings suggest he enters the runoff with a significant advantage.

IN FULL

New data released on Tuesday shows Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) leading Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) 48.8 percent to 41.3 percent, with 9.9 percent undecided, ahead of the May 26 primary runoff race. The poll, conducted by Quantus Insights, also revealed that nearly 58 percent of Representative Wesley Hunt’s (R-TX) supporters have shifted to Paxton, indicating there is a consolidation of anti-Cornyn voters.

Additionally, the survey of Texas voters suggests the electorate has largely become entrenched, with 88.1 percent of respondents certain to vote and 78.7 percent describing their choice as definite. Among Paxton’s supporters, 88 percent said their vote is definite, compared to 86 percent of Cornyn’s supporters. Notably, 92 percent of Paxton voters are certain to vote, compared to 86 percent of Cornyn voters.

Quantus Insights describes the runoff electorate as “largely settled, highly certain to vote, and not especially movable.” Paxton was noted to have “the clearer edge in ballot support, favorability, and perceived effectiveness.” Meanwhile, the potential of a presidential endorsement was also analyzed, with 25.3 percent of respondents saying President Donald J. Trump’s endorsement would make them more likely to support Paxton, while 63 percent said it would make no difference. For Cornyn, 18.3 percent said Trump’s endorsement would increase their support, while 70 percent said it would not affect their decision.

Last week, The National Pulse reported that a separate voter poll found Paxton leading Cornyn by a wider margin, 53 percent to 37 percent, among likely Republican runoff voters. This survey also found Paxton with a higher favorability rating (64 percent favorable, 31 percent unfavorable) compared to Cornyn (45 percent favorable, 47 percent unfavorable).

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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44 minutes ago
War

Pakistan Proposes US-Iran Peace Talks – Who Will Be There?

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered to host peace talks between the United States and Iran to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The offer was made on Tuesday via a post on X. Discussions regarding a meeting are reportedly at an advanced stage and could occur within a week if agreed upon.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict.” – Shehbaz Sharif.

🎯IMPACT: The offer comes as Iran is targeting Gulf states aligned with the U.S. and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy and fertilizer supplies.

IN FULL

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered on Tuesday to host peace talks between the United States and Iran to resolve the war between them, which also encompasses Israel, Iranian proxies in Lebanon, and multiple U.S.-aligned Gulf states. He announced the proposal on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting Pakistan’s readiness to help arrange the discussions.

“Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the WAR in Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in [the] region and beyond,” Sharif stated. He added that Pakistan is “ready and honoured” to host “meaningful and conclusive talks” for a comprehensive settlement, subject to agreement by both the U.S. and Iran.

The Prime Minister tagged President Donald J. Trump, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in his post. Elsewhere, Pakistani sources have indicated that Vice President J.D. Vance is favored as a possible lead negotiator, and that the Iranians are interested in speaking to special envoy Jared Kushner—Trump’s son-in-law—as well as Witkoff.

With Iran’s leadership structure fractured, Araghchi is not the only figure being mooted to represent the Iranian side, with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also reported to be a likely candidate—although he has publicly denied it. President Trump has alluded to speaking to a “respected” but currently unidentified Iranian leader, possibly a figure within the military or the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Preparations for a possible meeting are said to be well advanced, with a Pakistani government source indicating it could happen within a week, though officials stressed that nothing is certain.

Iran has been hitting energy infrastructure in Gulf states and disrupting the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil and gas supplies, and has threatened to escalate its attacks if President Trump follows through on a threat to “obliterate” the Iranian power grid. Trump subsequently postponed the planned strikes, offering Tehran a five-day window to agree to a ceasefire.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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1 hour ago
Science
TECH

NASA Plans Moon Base and Nuclear-Powered Mars Mission.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced plans to build a base on the moon and launch a nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars beginning in 2028.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, aerospace companies, international space agencies, and Congress representatives.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced on March 24, 2026, at a NASA event.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The moon base will not appear overnight. We will invest approximately $20 billion over the next seven years and build it through dozens of missions.” – Jared Isaacman

🎯IMPACT: The plans aim to advance lunar exploration and establish a human presence on the moon, with significant investment over the next seven years.

IN FULL

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced it is developing the Space Reactor-1 Freedom, a nuclear-powered robotic spacecraft that will begin traveling to Mars in late 2028. Additionally, the agency laid out new, detailed plans to construct a research base on the surface of the moon, with permanent human habitation anticipated by the middle of the next decade.

“We are calling today’s event Ignition because it represents the start of a transformative journey for NASA,” the agency’s administrator,  Jared Isaacman, said at the announcement on Tuesday. He added, “The moon base will not appear overnight. We will invest approximately $20 billion over the next seven years and build it through dozens of missions.”

While NASA has long floated the idea of establishing a permanent lunar presence, Tuesday’s announcement was the first time the agency laid out an explicit timeline for the project. According to Isaacman, the lunar base will be established in three phases over the next ten years, with the initial steps already underway with NASA’s Artemis missions. By 2029, Issacman said the agency will have established an initial human presence on the moon, with “semi-habitable infrastructure.” According to the timeline, by 2032, permanent infrastructure will be in place, enabling continued human habitation.

Aside from the agency’s moon ambitions, Issacman also detailed plans for the launch of its nuclear-powered, robotic spacecraft, called Space Reactor-1 Freedom. NASA is currently working toward the unmanned spacecraft’s launch in late 2028, beginning its journey to Mars.

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2 hours ago
Crime
News

40% of Vape Stores Checked by Police Caught Selling to Children.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Police in Smithfield, North Carolina, checked ten vape stores in response to reports of school students vaping, and caught clerks selling to minors at four of them.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Smithfield Police Department, school resource officers, vape store clerks, and students.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 2026, Smithfield, North Carolina.

💬KEY QUOTE: The Smithfield Police Department urged the community to adhere to state regulations on vape sales.

🎯IMPACT: The operation highlighted ongoing issues with criminality at vape stores.

IN FULL

North Carolina’s Smithfield Police Narcotics Division carried out a compliance operation at ten vape stores on March 18, amid reports of underage school students vaping. Officers caught clerks selling to minors at four of them. School resource officers had noted a sharp rise in students carrying vapes throughout March.

Under North Carolina law, it is illegal to sell vape products to anyone under the age of 18. Charges have been filed against the arrested clerks. Increasingly, vape stores are becoming hubs for criminality across the United States and the wider West, with raids in another North Carolina town earlier this month netting four arrests, millions in cash, and illegal narcotics.

In the United Kingdom, vape stores have been definitively linked to anti-social behavior, the sale of drugs and counterfeit cigarettes, and organized crime, including immigration crime. They are also a threat to public safety and national heritage, with one of many unregistered stores selling unsafe products in Glasgow, Scotland, recently starting a fire that burned a 175-year-old historic landmark to the ground.

The fire also forced the country’s largest railway station, located nearby, to close, triggering days of chaos across the national rail network.

Image by Nikita Korchagin.

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3 hours ago
News

Data Shows Gulf Between ‘MAGA,’ ‘MAHA,’ and ‘America First’ Voters Over Iran, But Most Agree Israel Has ‘Too Much Influence.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: New data highlights Republican divisions on the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and Israeli influence over American foreign policy.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Democracy Institute – one of the only pollsters who predicted Trump’s victory in 2016 –  conducted the poll among Republican and Republican-leaning voters.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The poll was conducted nationwide from March 20-22, 2026.

🎯IMPACT: The poll reveals where the divide lies within Republican voter ranks.

IN FULL

Polling by the Democracy Institute has revealed where the divisions are among likely Republican voters regarding the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Among self-identified “MAGA” Republicans, President Trump’s intervention in Iran is more popular than not, with 54 percent viewing the conflict as a “security necessity,” while 43 percent see it as a “costly mistake.”

Sixty-five percent of self-identified “America First” Republicans, however, believe the war is a costly mistake, with only 31 percent considering it a necessity. This sentiment is even stronger among self-identified “MAHA” (Make America Healthy Again) Republicans, with 73 percent opposing the war, against just 24 percent in favor.

Overall, the poll indicates that a majority of Republicans, 52 percent, oppose the war, compared to 46 percent who support it. Among Democrats, opposition is higher, with voters overall 63 percent opposed against 31 percent in favor.

The Democracy Institute also polled respondents on whether or not they agree with now-former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center and decorated veteran Joe Kent that “Iran was not an imminent threat to America.”

Seventy-five percent of Democrats, 53 percent of Republicans, and 65 percent of voters overall agreed it was not an imminent threat, while 41 percent, 18 percent, and 29 percent, respectively, believed it was.

Kent, a former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned over the war, arguing it was started “due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”

The Democracy Institute found that 51 percent of Republicans, 74 percent of Democrats, and 63 percent of voters overall agree that Israel has “too much influence over American foreign policy,” against 43 percent of Republicans, 23 percent of Democrats, and 32 percent of voters overall who think it does not.

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4 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Illegal Immigrant Arrested for High School Sexual Assault Spree.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A 19-year-old illegal immigrant was charged with nine counts of assault and battery for allegedly groping girls at a Fairfax County high school.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Israel Flores Ortiz, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, and multiple high school students.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Fairfax County, Virginia, incidents occurred during school hours in hallways while students were changing classes.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is a public safety issue and every single parent’s daughters are at risk because of this policy.” – Stacy Langton, a parent of students enrolled at the Fairfax County high school

🎯IMPACT: Parents, including those across political lines, are outraged, and the incident has sparked renewed debate over public safety policies and immigrant laws.

IN FULL

Israel Flores Ortiz, a 19-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador, has been charged with nine counts of assault and battery for allegedly groping girls at a high school in Fairfax County, Virginia. The Salvadoran allegedly groped at least a dozen female students in school hallways while they were changing classes.

Stacy Langton, a parent and local activist, expressed her outrage at the incidents, stating, “It’s terrifying as a parent because when I send my daughters to school, I think they’re safe in the care of the school. And in this case, they absolutely were not safe.” Langton added that her daughters, both students at the school, were aware of the incidents, with some of their friends among the 12 alleged victims.

Langton criticized policies that allow “English Learners” to remain in public schools up to age 22, calling it a “public safety issue” that affects all parents regardless of political affiliation. “This is a problem for every single parent in the school, whether you’re a Democrat, whether you are an Independent, or whether you are a Republican,” she said. The school district, while unable to comment on specifics due to privacy laws, stated, “We prioritize student and staff safety, and we fully investigate any time someone shares that an incident has occurred at school, or that they do not feel safe at school.”

Notably, Fairfax County has become a recent hotspot for illegal immigrant violent crime, with its George Soros-backed Commonwealth’s Attorney Steven Descano facing backlash for dropping charges against illegal immigrants, including Salvadoran national Marvin Morales-Ortez. Morales-Ortez was released despite a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer and later allegedly murdered a man in Reston, Virginia.

More recently, Descano failed to pursue charges against Abdul Jalloh, a 32-year-old illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone with an extensive criminal history, including over 30 arrests.  In late February, Jalloh stabbed 41-year-old Stephanie Minter to death at a bus stop along Richmond Highway in Fairfax County, and is currently facing a charge of murder.

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4 hours ago
News
Politics

Markwayne Mullin’s Senate ‘Successor’ is RINO Who Donated to Anti-Trump Adam Kinzinger.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt (R) is set to appoint Alan Armstrong, a donor to anti-Trump former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, to outgoing U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin’s seat.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Gov. Stitt, Alan Armstrong, Sen. Mullin (R-OK), and Adam Kinzinger.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement expected soon, now that Mullin has been confirmed as Homeland Security Secretary, in Oklahoma.

🎯IMPACT: The appointment has sparked backlash among MAGA supporters.

IN FULL

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt (R) plans to appoint Tulsa oil executive Alan Armstrong to the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by Senator Markwayne Mullin, who has been confirmed as President Donald J. Trump’s next Homeland Security Secretary. The anticipated announcement is raising concerns among America First and MAGA supporters, due to Armstrong’s past financial support of anti-Trump Republican-in-name-only (RINO) former Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL).

Armstrong donated $5,800 to Kinzinger shortly after the January 6, 2021, Capitol protests, as Kinzinger was positioning him as a leading anti-Trump Republican. Federal Election Commission (FEC) records reveal that on March 22, 2021, Armstrong made two $2,900 donations: one to Kinzinger’s congressional campaign and another to his political action committee (PAC).

In the weeks leading up to those checks, Kinzinger had launched a full-scale war on Donald Trump and his supporters. On January 7, 2021, Kinzinger became the first Republican in Congress to publicly demand that then-Vice President Mike Pence invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, calling the president “unfit” and “unwell.” Six days later, on January 13, he was one of only ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump on the charge of “incitement of insurrection.”

Throughout January, February, and March, Kinzinger made the rounds on CNN and other networks, repeatedly branding Jan 6 an “insurrection,” attacking Republicans who defended Trump, and positioning himself as a leader of the anti-Trump “resistance” inside the GOP.

Stitt and Armstrong are set to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago to discuss the appointment. Armstrong will reportedly serve as a caretaker and not seek a full term.

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5 hours ago
News

Airport Chaos as TSA Absenteeism Soars Amid Partial Shutdown.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Travelers faced extensive delays at major U.S. airports as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing shortages caused security wait times to spike to nearly five hours in some locations.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: TSA officers, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents deployed to mitigate the labor shortages, and travelers across the nation impacted by the ongoing staffing crisis, caused by the Senate Democrats blocking funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Delays occurred on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at airports including George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and New York City’s JFK Airport.

🎯IMPACT: The partial government shutdown has severely disrupted airport operations, with TSA officers working without pay and ICE agents stepping in to assist.

IN FULL

Travelers at some of the busiest U.S. airports are facing severe delays as staffing shortages at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continue during the federal funding lapse. At Houston‘s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, wait times reached nearly five hours on Tuesday, with about 42 percent of TSA officers—who are going without pay due to a Senate Democrat-led partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—calling out. Passengers were warned they might not make it through security in time for their flights.

Similar issues emerged at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where travelers were advised to arrive at least four hours early. To ease the strain, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were deployed to assist at 14 airports, including locations in Atlanta, New York City, Newark, Houston, and New Orleans. Some airports reported TSA callout rates exceeding 40 percent.

The partial government shutdown has left hundreds of thousands of DHS employees working without pay. TSA officers have been particularly affected, with about 12 percent nationwide calling out on Sunday, the highest rate since the shutdown began. More than 400 officers have reportedly resigned.

Reports also highlight the financial hardship facing TSA workers, with some resorting to extreme measures such as selling blood. Because the TSA screens millions of passengers daily, even small staffing gaps can quickly lead to major disruptions.

In response, President Donald J. Trump ordered ICE agents to help support airport operations. Unlike TSA employees, ICE personnel are continuing to receive pay during the shutdown.

Negotiations to end the funding stalemate are ongoing. Lawmakers are considering a proposal to fund most Homeland Security operations while excluding certain ICE activities. The plan could include new requirements such as body cameras and limits on immigration enforcement, which the Democrats oppose.

Image by Michael Ball.

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6 hours ago
War

‘Serious Form of Regime Change’ – Trump Outlines Plan for U.S. to Run Hormuz Alongside ‘Whoever the Ayatollah Is.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump outlined talks for join control of the Strait of Hormuz alongside “whoever the ayatollah is” amid a five-day ceasefire with Iran.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Iranian leaders, and negotiators, including Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced on March 24, 2026, regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Jointly controlled. Maybe me, maybe me. Me and the ayatollah, whoever the ayatollah is.” – President Trump

🎯IMPACT: Markets reacted positively, with the FTSE 100 rising and Brent crude oil prices falling.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has announced plans for joint U.S.-Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz amid a five-day ceasefire for attacks on the Islamic Republic’s energy infrastructure. He voiced confidence in reaching a peace agreement, declaring that America would “jointly control” the vital oil and fertilizer passage, which Iran has largely closed, and pledged a “very serious form of regime change.”

Trump described talks with a “respected” Iranian leader who could be “exactly what we’re looking for” in comments to the press, presenting this as a sign that the regime is ready for a deal to resolve the conflict. Speaking to reporters on the subject of who will control Hormuz, he said, “Jointly controlled. Maybe me, maybe me. Me and the ayatollah, whoever the ayatollah is.”

Notably, slain former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s son and official successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, is known to have been wounded, and he has not been seen in public or in any prerecorded messages since his elevation, leading some to speculate that he may be dead.

Trump warned that the United States would “just keep bombing our little hearts out” if negotiations collapse. His earlier threats to hit Iran’s power grid prompted officials in Tehran to name possible targets for retaliation, among them a nuclear power station in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The partial ceasefire prompted upbeat reactions in financial markets: the FTSE 100 rose while Brent crude oil prices dropped sharply. On Wall Street, both the Dow Jones and S&P 500 posted gains.

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7 hours ago
War

Israel Confirms Plan to Seize Southern Lebanon.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Israel announced plans to take control of a significant buffer zone in southern Lebanon.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and Hezbollah.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Southern Lebanon, as of March 24, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The principle is clear: there is terror and missiles, no homes and no residents – and the IDF is inside.” – Israel Katz

🎯IMPACT: Over a million people displaced, potential humanitarian crisis, and increased regional tensions.

IN FULL

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has announced that country intends to seize a substantial buffer zone across southern Lebanon as part of its broader military operations aimed at Hezbollah. This protective security area is designed to stretch all the way to the Litani River, sitting roughly 30 kilometers (~18.6 miles) north of the Lebanon-Israel frontier.

Katz confirmed that residents forced to flee the region would remain barred from returning until full safety can be guaranteed for Israel’s northern communities. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has already demolished five bridges it says Hezbollah had been using to shift terrorists along with their weapons supplies.

The recent rise in hostilities in Lebanon stems directly from Hezbollah firing rockets at northern Israel, in response to the assassination of Iran’s now-former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as part of the U.S.-Israeli Operation Epic Fury mission against the Iranian regime—a key sponsor of Hezbollah. Israel is also conducting operations in Lebanon, despite Lebanon’s official government moving to ban Hezbollah early on in the Iran war.

Lebanon’s health ministry reports that the ongoing fighting has now claimed more than 1,000 lives within the country, including at least 118 children and 40 health workers. With over a million civilians displaced from their homes, experts are voicing growing alarm about the potential for a severe humanitarian or migrant crisis to develop soon.

Katz stressed that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops are pushing into Lebanese ground specifically to eliminate terrorist networks and build a lasting defensive perimeter.

Image by Chatham House.

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