Daily Peace and Crisis Report

Compiled March 11, 2026, 08:09 AEDT

Summary

The world faces an unprecedented convergence of armed conflicts on March 11, 2026. The US-Israel war on Iran has entered its eleventh day with the most intense bombardments yet, drawing in Gulf states and threatening global energy markets. In Gaza, a fragile ceasefire continues to fray as crossing closures deepen a humanitarian catastrophe, with the death toll surpassing 72,100. Ukraine-Russia peace talks remain stalled as the Middle East crisis diverts international attention, while frontline fighting continues. Sudan's civil war deepens with civilian killings more than doubling in 2025. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Congolese parliament moves to ratify the Washington Peace Accords even as M23 clashes persist. Lebanon faces mass displacement as Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah intensify. Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis worsens amid border clashes with Pakistan and the spillover effects of the Iran war.

1. US-Israel War on Iran (Day 11)

The United States and Israel launched what the Pentagon described as the most intense airstrikes of the war on Tuesday, targeting military airfields, oil facilities, and infrastructure across Iran. US President Donald Trump said the war would be over "pretty quickly" but clarified it would not end this week. Trump confirmed a seventh US combat death and stated that the US has struck more than 5,000 targets, claiming the destruction of Iran's navy, air force, and 80–90 per cent of its missile launchers. Al Jazeera

Iran's Ministry of Health reported that the war has killed more than 1,255 people and injured approximately 10,000 since hostilities began. An attack on residential buildings in eastern Tehran killed at least 40 people, while strikes on oil facilities blanketed the capital in toxic smoke. The Iranian ISNA news agency reported five people killed in a US-Israeli strike on a residential building in Arak, western Iran. Al Jazeera

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf pledged a "harsh response" to attacks on residential areas, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would continue fighting "as long as necessary". Iran's parliament speaker separately stated that Iran is "definitely not looking for a ceasefire". Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed that China, Russia, and France have contacted Iran regarding a ceasefire, according to Iranian state television. Al Jazeera; Reuters

Hundreds of thousands of Iranians rallied in Tehran in a show of solidarity with Mojtaba Khamenei, who was named Iran's new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Al Jazeera

The conflict has spread across the region. Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones. A 29-year-old woman was killed and eight people injured when a residential building in Bahrain's capital Manama was struck. Turkey reported that NATO air defences shot down a ballistic missile in Turkish airspace — the first such incident. The IRGC claimed it struck the US army's Harir Air Base in Erbil, Iraq's Kurdistan region. Al Jazeera

The bombardment of Iranian oil facilities has driven crude oil prices to nearly $120 a barrel before pulling back to around $90 after Trump threatened to intensify attacks if Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz. G7 finance ministers announced readiness to release energy stockpiles to stabilise markets. France said it and its allies were preparing a mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters; The Guardian

Australia announced it would deploy a military surveillance aircraft to the Middle East and send missiles to the UAE, though Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated Australia would not commit ground troops. Al Jazeera

The Red Cross launched an emergency appeal for more than $50 million to address rapidly growing humanitarian needs in Iran. Barron's

2. Lebanon — Israeli Strikes and Hezbollah Escalation

The death toll from Israeli attacks in Lebanon surpassed 486 between 2 and 9 March, with one in five casualties being children under 18. Nearly 700,000 people have been displaced across the country, with the UN reporting that at least half a million people living south of the Litani River, in parts of Baalbek governorate, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut's southern suburbs are now caught up in the hostilities. UN OCHA

A Lebanese Maronite Catholic priest, Pierre al-Rahi, was killed by Israeli tank fire in the Christian village of Qlayaa after reportedly refusing an Israeli order for forced evacuation. The Israeli military has repeatedly ordered residents of southern Lebanon to flee, warning that "air strikes are ongoing" as it operates "with great force in the area". Al Jazeera

An Israeli strike hit a Red Cross ambulance in Majdal Zoun in the Tyre district, injuring paramedics and damaging the vehicle. Since 2 March, the World Health Organization has recorded 23 attacks on healthcare facilities in Lebanon, resulting in 14 deaths and 26 injuries. UN OCHA

Hezbollah launched rocket attacks into northern Israel, injuring 16 people and damaging a daycare centre, and the Iranian army claimed a drone attack targeting an Israeli oil and gas refinery and fuel tanks in Haifa. Lebanon's President Aoun outlined a path towards "permanent security and stability" and called for talks with Israel. BBC; Al Jazeera

3. Gaza and the West Bank

Gaza's Ministry of Health reported the death toll from the Israeli offensive has risen to 72,134. The number of journalists killed in Gaza since the start of the war has reached 261, according to the Middle East Monitor. Sada News Agency; Middle East Monitor

All crossings into Gaza except Kerem Shalom remain closed, severely hampering humanitarian operations. Food prices have soared as border closures deepen shortages. The UN was able to bring over 427,000 litres of fuel into Gaza on Sunday to power critical services, but this remains below the 2 million litres needed weekly. Shelter needs continue to outpace the capacity of humanitarian responders, with Israeli restrictions on "dual-use" items including cement, timber, and heavy equipment. UN OCHA; Al Jazeera

Amnesty International published a report on International Women's Day condemning what it described as Israel's genocide in Gaza, highlighting compounded harms on Palestinian women and girls. The Palestinian Authority Cabinet condemned Israel's continued violations of the ceasefire and the targeting of tents sheltering displaced people. Amnesty International; WAFA

In the West Bank, the European Union's External Action Service condemned escalating settler violence, noting that six Palestinians have been killed since 28 February. The EU described the level of violence as "unacceptable". EEAS; ReliefWeb

4. Ukraine-Russia War

US-brokered ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine were put on hold as the Middle East crisis drew international attention away from the conflict. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready for new US-backed peace talks "at any moment" but that the US had asked to postpone an upcoming meeting. The US proposed another round of Russia-Ukraine talks for the following week. Euronews; The Moscow Times

Both sides claimed frontline progress. A Russian attack killed four people in Ukraine's Sloviansk and wounded 16, including a 14-year-old girl. Russian drone strikes on Kharkiv injured six people, including a small child. Shelling of Dnipro injured seven people. Al Jazeera; The Guardian

Following a phone call with Vladimir Putin, President Trump said the US will waive oil-related sanctions on "some countries" to ease the shortage sparked by the Iran war, a move that could further ease sanctions on Russian oil and complicate efforts to punish Moscow for its war in Ukraine. Putin signalled Russia's readiness to supply oil and gas to Europe, saying the Iran war had caused a global energy crisis. The Guardian; The Moscow Times

Zelenskyy disclosed that Ukraine sent interceptor drones and operators to protect US bases in Jordan, responding to requests from 11 countries neighbouring Iran. Ukraine's total military losses since February 2022 were confirmed at approximately 55,000 killed, according to Commander-in-Chief statements reported in early February. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated Russian military casualties at 1.2 million, including 325,000 killed. The Guardian; AP via AOL

5. Sudan — Civil War and Humanitarian Crisis

Sudan's civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to spiral. The UN Human Rights Council reported that at least 11,300 civilians were killed in 2025 — nearly triple the number in 2024. A US envoy has suggested that up to 400,000 people may have died since the conflict began in April 2023. More than 11 million people have been displaced, with one in three Sudanese now forcibly displaced. UN News; Just Security

A new report published on 10 March provides fresh evidence of deliberate starvation strategies in Darfur, with satellite imagery showing systematic destruction of the region's food system. Insecurity Insight documented at least 706 incidents of violence against or obstruction of healthcare in Sudan since April 2023, with at least 182 health workers killed and 107 arrested. The Guardian; ReliefWeb

South Sudan is receiving more than 1.3 million people fleeing Sudan's conflict. UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemned accounts of "gruesome killings" of civilians in South Sudan, warning of deteriorating conditions. UN News; UNHCR

6. Democratic Republic of Congo — M23 Conflict

Fighting between the Congolese army (FARDC) and M23 rebels continues despite the Washington Peace Accords signed in June 2025. DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa introduced two bills to parliament on 7 March to ratify the peace agreement and the strategic partnership with the United States, with parliament scheduled to take up the matter on 16 March. Critical Threats Project

M23 announced the release of more than 5,000 captured FARDC troops to the International Committee of the Red Cross for repatriation to Kinshasa. Clashes between FARDC and M23-aligned forces continued in Masisi district, North Kivu, and around Minembwe in South Kivu. The US imposed new sanctions on Rwanda's military and top commanders over their alleged support for M23. Critical Threats Project; AP via AOL

By the end of 2026, approximately 9 million people are expected to be displaced in the DRC, with around 26.6 million facing acute food insecurity. Disaster Philanthropy

7. Afghanistan — Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

The UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) warned the Security Council on 9 March that crises on both of Afghanistan's longest borders — with Iran and Pakistan — are undermining the country's stability. The ongoing Iran war has made the trade route through Iran "increasingly uncertain", while the border with Pakistan remains closed following active clashes including Pakistani airstrikes in Afghan cities. UN News

Afghanistan has absorbed 5.5 million returning refugees since September 2023. In 2026, humanitarian partners plan to reach 17.5 million Afghans through a $1.71 billion humanitarian appeal, but the appeal is only 10 per cent funded. The UN's ability to deliver assistance is further impeded by a six-month Taliban ban on UN female national personnel. UN News

8. Haiti — Drone Violence and Gang Crisis

Human Rights Watch reported that Haitian security forces and private contractors have killed 1,243 people through kamikaze drone attacks as part of Prime Minister Alix Fils-Aimé's counter-gang strategy. HRW urged the government to rein in its security forces and called into question whether the country's security strategy is turning parts of Haiti into a drone war zone. El País; Taipei Times

Haiti's epidemic of gang violence has worsened just as international donors have cut aid budgets. A UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police is operating alongside Haitian security forces, but aid organisations warn that growing violence is compounding an already severe humanitarian crisis. Swissinfo

9. International Cooperation and Peacekeeping

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace convened an event on 10 March examining the future of UN peacekeeping, noting that despite a dramatic upsurge in violent conflict globally, no new UN peacekeeping operations have been authorised. The United Nations faces a $4 billion funding shortfall and is preparing to cut 20 per cent of its budget, potentially eliminating thousands of jobs, as the US withholds $1.5 billion in dues. Carnegie Endowment; Quillette

UNDP announced on 10 March that satellite imagery is being deployed to guide faster recovery in crisis zones, with the technology enabling more targeted humanitarian responses in the first 48 hours after a crisis. UNDP

Solomon Islands rejoined the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, reaffirming its commitment to multilateral cooperation. PINA

Key Statistics