Israel-Iran live updates: Netanyahu vows Tehran will pay for missile attack as more troops sent into Lebanon
Keir Starmer warns region on brink as UK confirms its troops responded to Iranian missile strikes on Israel
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Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed revenge on Iran as the conflict in the Middle Eastthreatened to spiral out of control.
Netanyahu warned Tehran would “pay a price” after it fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday evening following an Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
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.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said hypersonic missiles had been used for the first time in the attack. In April, Tehran launched around 300 missiles and drones at Israel.
It comes as Israel announced that regular infantry and armoured units were joining ground operations in southern Lebanon, stepping up pressure on Hezbollah.
The addition of infantry and armoured troops from the 36th Division, including the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armoured Brigade and 6th Infantry Brigade, suggests that the operation has moved beyond limited commando raids.
Images this morning showed Israeli airstrikes raining down on areas over the border in Lebanon.
At least six people killed in suspected terror attack in Tel Aviv, say Israeli police
As Iran retaliates for Israel’s Lebanon campaign against Hezbollah – what comes next for the Middle East?
Mapped: Where has Israel fired missiles around the Middle East?
Is Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system ironclad?
Netanyahu knows Western allies can do little about his Lebanon invasion – it is up to him how far this goes
Hamas military praises Iranian attack on Israel
Hamas has described Iran’s massive aerial attack on Israel as an “exceptional day” despite the missiles failing to hit their targets.
A spokesperson for Hamas’ Al-Qassam military wing said: “We congratulate the Iranian response that extended to the entire geography of [Israel] and dealt a strong blow to the criminal occupation that thought that its rampage in the region and its aggression against its people could pass without punishment.
“This is an exceptional day in the history of the conflict, in which the fires of the nation’s resistance crossed in the skies of Palestine, and Tel Aviv was exposed to the strikes of the mujahideen from Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, and Iran.
“This is a call to all the free people of the nation to make a share in the liberation of Palestine.”
Israel resumes evacuation orders in southern Lebanon
Israel has resumed its evacuation orders to residents in southern Lebanon in signs that Iran’s massive missile attack on the country last night will not deter Israel’s incursions over the border.
Israel’s Arabic-language military spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that “any movement south could put you in danger”.
“Warning to residents of the designated villages in southern Lebanon: Evacuate your homes immediately. Be careful, you are prohibited from heading south. Any movement south could put you in danger,” he said. “We will let you know when it is safe to return home.”
Footage has also shown that Israel resumed its bombing of southern Lebanon only hours after the Iranian attack ended.
Lebanon's Hezbollah says it targeted areas north of Haifa with large missile salvo
Lebanon’s Hezbollah targeted areas north of Israel‘s city of Haifa with a large missile salvo, the militant group said on Wednesday.
Earlier, Israeli media reported that Hezbollah had fired 100 missiles and rockets at Israel this morning.
Danish police investigate two blasts near Israel's embassy
Danish police said on Wednesday they were investigating two blasts in the immediate vicinity of Israel‘s embassy in the northern outskirts of Copenhagen.
There were no injuries reported and it was too early to say how big the blasts had been, a police spokesperson told reporters at the scene.
“It is clear that the Israeli embassy is in the immediate vicinity and that is naturally also an angle that we look at,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jakob Hansen of the Copenhagen police said.
Israel‘s embassy, in a Facebook post, expressed shock over the explosions but said it had full confidence in the Danish police handling the investigation.
An area was cordoned off around the embassy and armed Danish military personnel stood guard, while investigators wearing coverall suits were seen combing the scene for evidence.
Pictured: Biden and Harris watch from White House as Iran bombs Israel
US vice president Kamala Harris has posted a picture of her and president Joe Biden in the White House situation room from last night as they followed Iran’s attack on Israel.
“I unequivocally condemn Iran’s reckless and brazen attack against Israel today,” she wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“Israel, with our assistance, was able to defeat the attack. Our cooperation saved many lives.”
Smoke in Beirut as Israeli military confirms strikes on ‘Hezbollah targets’ after Iran missiles fired
Smoke in Beirut as Israel confirms strikes on ‘Hezbollah targets’
Smoke was seen in Beirut overnight on Tuesday, 1 October and into Wednesday as the Israeli military confirmed strikes on "Hezbollah targets" after Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel. Israel renewed its bombardment early on Wednesday of the Lebanese city's southern suburbs, with at least a dozen airstrikes launched. It came after Benjamin Netanyahu vowed revenge on Iran after it fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday evening following an Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Explosions caused by Israel’s iron dome air defence system intercepting Iranian missiles lit up the night skies above Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Tuesday.
Spain to evacuate citizens from Lebanon, defence minister says
Spain plans to send two military aircraft to evacuate citizens from Lebanon, Spanish newswire Europa Press reported on Wednesday, citing defence minister Margarita Robles.
Israel could target Iranian oil facilities, report claims
Israel could look to target Iranian oil facilities by way of retaliating to Tehran’s aerial assault, a report has claimed, citing Israeli officials.
Axios reports that officials have pointed to the oil facilities as an obvious target following the Iranian attack.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Iran “will pay” for its attack.
Sirens echo as Iran launches missiles into Israel
Yemen's Houthis say they targeted Israeli military posts with rockets
Yemen’s Houthis targeted military posts deep in Israel with three winged ‘Quds 5’ rockets, the group’s military spokesperson Yahya Saree said on Wednesday.
There was no announcement from the Israeli military about rocket fire from Yemen on Wednesday.
The Houthi militants, backed by Iran, have repeatedly fired missiles and drones at Israel in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians, since the Gaza war began with a Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
The group said the continuous support to Israel from the United States and the United Kingdom will put their interests ‘under fire’.
“We will not hesitate in broadening our military operations against the Israeli enemy and who is behind it until the aggression against Gaza and Lebanon ends,” Saree added.
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