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Intense fighting has continued between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, with clashes reported close to the border.
Hezbollah said it had clashed with Israeli troops in the border town of Maroun el-Ras after pushing back fores near another border town, adding that these battles were only “the first round”.
The Israeli military, meanwhile, says it has destroyed over 150 elements of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. Israel also renewed its bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday. It said that a 22-year-old commander was one of seven Israeli troops to be killed during fighting in southern Lebanon.
Nearly 1,900 people have been killed and more than 9,000 wounded in Lebanon in the past year, with the majority of casualties coming in the last week.
It comes as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows revenge on Iran after its military fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday evening in response to the invasion of Lebanon.
Netanyahu warned Tehran would “pay a price” after millions of Israelis rushed to shelters before explosions caused by Israel’s iron dome air defence system intercepting Iranian missiles lit up the night skies above Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Key Points
- Hezbollah says 'we are only in the first round' following clashes with Israeli troops
- Iran ends missile attack with warning to US
- UK forces ‘played their part’ in response to Iran missile attack
- Israeli military says Iran fired around 180 missiles hitting several targets
- Israel kills dozens in Gaza overnight, sends tanks into southern areas, medics say
Seven Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon
The Israeli military has announced the deaths of seven soldiers killed in combat in south Lebanon.
Israeli troops began a ground invasion yesterday as it seeks to regain ground from Hezbollah and push the Lebanese militant group behind the Litani river.
Alex Croft2 October 2024 15:42 1727879924‘Time is running out’ says UN secretary-general
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Iran’s missile attack on Israel, adding that “time is running out” to prevent an all-out war.
Speaking to the 15-member Security Council, Guterres said the “deadly cycle of tit-for-tat violence must stop”.
He added: “I again strongly condemn yesterday’s massive missile attack by Iran on Israel.”
In a letter to the security council, Iran justified its attack as a response to “aggressive actions” by Israel.
"Iran ... in full compliance with the principle of distinction under international humanitarian law, has only targeted the regime’s military and security installations with its defensive missile strikes," Iran told the council.
UN secretary-general reiterates call for Lebanon ceasefire
UN secretary-general António Guterres has reiterated his call for a ceasefire in Lebanon.
He says it is absolutely essential to avoid an all-out war in Lebanon, warning of profound and devastating consequences if there is a major escalation, Reuters reported.
It comes after Israeli foreign minister Israeli Katz said Guterres was banned from visiting Israel earlier on Wednesday, accusing him of failing to denounce Hamas atrocities on October 7 or condemn Iran’s ballistic missile strike on Tuesday.
In October 2023, Guterres said: “I have condemned unequivocally the horrifying and unprecedented 7 October acts of terror by Hamas in Israel. Nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians – or the launching of rockets against civilian targets. All hostages must be treated humanely and released immediately and without conditions.”
Alex Croft2 October 2024 15:24 1727878625In pictures: Israel airstrikes tear into Lebanon
First charter flight evacuating Brits from Lebanon takes off, Lammy confirms
The first charter flight evacuating evacuating British nationals from Lebanon has taken off, foreign secretary David Lammy has announced.
A number of flights have been arranged for the next few days, he added.
There are believed to be around between 4,000 and 6,000 British nationals currently in Lebanon.
He posted on X: “The first charter flight taking British nationals out of Lebanon has now departed. We have arranged another flight for tomorrow, and further flights over the coming days for as long as there is demand and it is safe to do so.
“I urge all British nationals still in Lebanon to register with the FCDO and leave the country immediately.”
Lammy said on Tuesday the situation in Lebanon was “now turning into a very, very concerning situation on the ground”.
Alex Croft2 October 2024 15:16 1727877801
UK says its fighter jets played a part in preventing further escalation in Middle East
Britain said two of its fighter jets and a air-to-air refuelling tanker played a part on Tuesday in attempts to prevent further escalation in the conflict in the Middle East, but that the jets did not engage any targets.
“Two Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets and a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker played their part in attempts in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, demonstrating the UK’s unwavering commitment to Israel‘s security,” Britain’s Ministry of Defence said on X.
“Due to the nature of this attack, they did not engage any targets, but they played an important part in wider deterrence and efforts to prevent further escalation.”
Tom Watling2 October 2024 15:03 1727876741Gazan buried as only known victim of Iranian barrage against Israel
A 38-year-old Gazan, the only known fatality in Iran’s missile attack against Israel, was buried on Wednesday.
Sameh Khadr Hassan Al-Asali had been staying in a Palestinian security forces compound in the occupied West Bank when he was killed by falling missile debris during Tuesday’s attack, which Israel said was largely thwarted by its air defence systems.
Security forces personnel carried the body draped in the red, green, white and black Palestinian flag. The crowd of about 200 mourners was made up of fellow Gazans staying in Jericho and local people.
A large section of the rocket lay on the ground where it fell outside the compound.
Around 700 workers from Gaza have been staying in Jericho, in the Jordan Valley, since the start of the war in Gaza almost a year ago.
Oil prices rise after Iranian missile barrage on Israel
Oil prices rise after Iranian missile barrage on Israel
The escalation has led to warnings that energy exports could be disrupted if violence in the region continues to widen.
Tom Watling2 October 2024 14:29 1727874725Israel's multilayered air-defense system passes another test in fending off Iranian missile strike
Israel's multilayered air-defense system passes another test in fending off Iranian missile strike
Israel's multilayered air-defense system is credited with protecting the country from serious damage or casualties from an Iranian strike by some 180 missiles
Tom Watling2 October 2024 14:12 1727874125Here are some of the latest photos from Lebanon and Israel
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