The Day Hormuz and Haifa Exchanged Fire

On May 8, Palestinian editors tracked a new phase of escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, with US strikes on Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, followed by Iranian retaliation against US warships. By afternoon, reports emerged of Saudi Arabia blocking US use of its bases for the Hormuz operation. Simultaneously, Hezbollah launched rockets toward Haifa for the first time since the ceasefire, wounding Israeli soldiers with drones. The day also saw the first Red Cross prison visits since October 7, though without meeting Palestinian prisoners. In Gaza, a medical initiative graduated hundreds of students under fire, while rats and disease deepened the health crisis. Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya reiterated that assassinations would not break the resistance.