Lebanon-Israel live: Six dead as Israeli forces strike southern Lebanon after Tel Aviv targeted by Hezbollah
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have killed more than 560 people, including women and 50 children, says health ministry, over the past few days
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At least six people have been killed and 22 wounded after Israel launched “extensive strikes” across southern Lebanon and near it’s border with Syria, the country’s health ministry has announced.
The casulaties were recorded in the Lebanese Shi'ite town of Maaysrah in the Christian-majority Keserwan region, the country's health ministry said, as well as the town of Ain Qana.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah confirmed that it fired a missile at the Israeli spy agency in Tel Aviv, an escalation in the conflict with Israel that moved the arch-foes another step closer to full-fledged war.
The Israeli military said a single surface-to-surface missile was intercepted by air defence systems after it was detected crossing from Lebanon. Warning sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, Israel's economic capital.
It comes as 700 British troops are being sent to Cyprus to prepare for a possible evacuation of up to 10,000 Britons from Lebanon.
Sir Keir Starmer earlier urged Britons in Lebanon to “leave immediately” as Israel intensifies its bombing campaign against Hezbollah. He added that he believes the conflict between Israel and Lebanon is on the “brink point”.
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Pope Francis, back from flu, calls airstrikes on Lebanon 'unacceptable'
Pope Francis called Israeli strikes on Lebanon a “terrible escalation” of the Middle East conflict on Wednesday at the end of his weekly general audience at the Vatican, which went ahead two days after he cancelled meetings over mild flu.
The pope said the attacks, in which Israel says it has been striking targets affiliated with the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, were “unacceptable” and urged the international community to do everything possible to halt the fighting.
Francis did not specifically identify Israel, but said he was “saddened by news from Lebanon in recent days that bombardments have caused much destruction and many victims”.
The 87-year-old pontiff, who has suffered bouts of ill health in recent years, appeared in good form through his audience although he coughed lightly a few times while speaking.
Keir Starmer warns Middle East on brink of all out war ahead of UN debut
Starmer warns Middle East on brink of all out war ahead of UN debut
UK sending around 700 troops to Cyprus for possible emergency evacuation of citizens
Here are some of the latest photos from Lebanon
Below are some of the latest photos from Lebanon as Israel launches “extensive strikes” over the border for the third day in a row.
Three killed in Israeli strike on Lebanese town in Christian-majority region, ministry says
Three people were killed and nine others injured in an Israeli strike on the Lebanese Shi’ite town of Maaysrah in the Christian-majority Keserwan region, the country’s health ministry said on Wednesday.
It was the first time the area was struck in recent hostilities between the Israeli military and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Strike on Lebanese Shi'ite town in Christian-majority Keserwan region, say media, resident
A strike on Wednesday hit the Lebanese Shi’ite town of Maaysrah, state media and a resident there said, referring to a place in the mountains of the Christian-majority Keserwan region.
There were no immediate reports of casualties but it was the first time the area was struck in recent hostilities between the Israeli military and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Killing valuable Hezbollah members will not beat it, Iran says
Killing valuable members of Lebanon’s Hezbollah will not bring it to its knees, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said, as cross-border attacks between Israel and Hezbollah increase fears of all-out war in the Middle East.
In a message on X, formerly Twitter, he added: “Hezbollah is the victor.”
Israel launches ‘extensive strikes' on southern Lebanon
The Israeli military has announced it is firing rockets across southern Lebanon and in the Bekaa valley that runs along the border with Syria.
The military posted on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “The [Israeli military] attacks widely in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa, more details below.”
An Israeli military spokesperson added that they had launched “extensive strikes”.
UK nationals told to leave Lebanon immediately as 700 troops sent to Cyprus
The UK is sending around 700 troops to Cyprus in case an emergency evacuation of Lebanon is required, as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate.
Britons have been urged to leave Lebanon but with airlines suspending flights to the country because of the violence, commercial escape routes could be cut off as the situation deteriorates.
The deployment to Cyprus comes as the government begins the first stage of its contingency plan, with the military team supported by Border Force and Foreign Office officials.
More here.
UK nationals told to leave Lebanon immediately as 700 troops sent to Cyprus
The deployment of 700 troops, backed up by RAF aircraft and Royal Navy ships, comes as the situation in the Middle East deteriorates
Starmer calls for de-escalation in Middle East
Sir Keir Starmer has called for de-escalation in the Middle East as Israel ramps up its strikes on Lebanon.
“I have long supported Israel’s right to self-defence and that has been absolutely clear and consistent with everything I’ve ever said,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“But the point we’re at now is very close to the bone and that’s why we need to de-escalate.
“It doesn’t mean we walk away from the problems, it doesn’t mean we don’t recognise the threat that Israel is under, which is very real, but this escalation is getting to a point where the right thing now to do is to de-escalate, have a ceasefire and make sure we can progress in a different way.”
Here are the latest photos from northern Israel and Lebanon
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