War in the Middle East: second French soldier killed in Lebanon, ships seized in the Strait of Hormuz…

Donald Trump has considered it “possible” that discussions with Iran may resume in the coming days, after extending the ceasefire the day before.

Following the extension of the ceasefire between the United States, Israel, and Iran announced by Donald Trump, he stated that no deadline has been set for Iran to make a proposal, according to White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday, April 22. He also deemed it “possible” that discussions with Iran could resume in the coming days. On another front of the war, a second French soldier from the UN mission in Lebanon has died. Franceinfo highlights the key information from this day.

Second French Soldier Dies in Lebanon

A second French military member of the UN mission in Lebanon, Anicet Girardin, died on Wednesday after being critically injured in an ambush attributed to Hezbollah. Another French soldier, Adjutant Florian Montorio, was fatally wounded in the same ambush on Saturday. French authorities and the UN have attributed this attack to the pro-Iranian movement Hezbollah, which is fighting Israeli troops in the region but has denied any responsibility.

Emmanuel Macron announced the death of Corporal-Chef Anicet Girardin from the 132nd canine infantry regiment of Suippes (Marne), who had been repatriated to France the previous day. He is treated at the Percy military hospital in Clamart. “The Nation, which will pay tribute tomorrow to Adjutant Florian Montorio, who was fatally wounded during the same ambush, salutes with emotion the memory of Corporal-Chef Anicet Girardin and his sacrifice,” added the French president.

Journalist Killed in Lebanon by Israeli Air Strike

Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil was killed “by an Israeli air strike” on Wednesday in al-Tiri, southern Lebanon, as announced by the Civil Defense. Her death was confirmed by the Al-Akhbar newspaper where she worked. Another journalist was injured in the same strike.

Donald Trump “Does Not Set a Deadline to Receive a Proposal from Iran” in Negotiations

Donald Trump has not set a deadline for Iran to make a proposal, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt reported on Wednesday, following the extension of the ceasefire indefinitely announced by the American president. Moreover, the American president also deemed it “possible” that discussions with Iran could resume in the coming days, in an interview with the New York Post.

On the Iranian side, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed “appreciation” for Pakistan’s efforts to end the war, but did not comment on a unilateral extension of the ceasefire by Washington, according to state television.

Another communication discrepancy between the two parties: Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday that, at his request, Iranian authorities had decided not to execute eight protesters. But the Iranian judiciary later accused the American president of spreading “false information”. “Trump has nothing on the ground, which led him to exaggerate successes, based on false information,” stated Mizan, the press organ of the Iranian judiciary.

Iran Claims Seizure of Two Ships Attempting to Pass through the Strait of Hormuz

The Revolutionary Guards, the ideological army of Iran, stated that their naval forces intercepted two ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. “The two violating ships were seized by the Revolutionary Guards naval forces and directed towards the Iranian coast,” it was added. This action, not considered a ceasefire violation by Donald Trump, was affirmed by the White House spokeswoman. “No, as they were neither American nor Israeli ships. They were two international ships,” she stated on Fox News.

On Wednesday, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, ruled out the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as long as the American blockade of Iranian ports continues. “A complete ceasefire only makes sense if it is not violated by a naval blockade (…) the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is impossible as long as the ceasefire is openly flouted,” wrote this influential figure of the Iranian leadership on X.

Over 50,000 Homes Destroyed or Damaged by Israel

Over 50,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged in Lebanon due to Israeli operations in more than six weeks of war, reported a Lebanese official on Wednesday. “In over 45 days [of war], we have accounted for 17,756 destroyed homes and 32,668 damaged homes,” stated Chadi Abdallah, the Secretary-General of the National Council for Scientific Research. According to the same source, “428 homes were destroyed in the first three days” of the ceasefire.