Israel-Iran latest: Biden says US won’t back strike on Iran’s nuclear sites as Israeli military vows response
US president’s comments come as eight Israeli soldiers die in fighting with Hezbolla in southern Lebanon
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Joe Biden has said he will not support an Israeli strike on sites related to Tehran's nuclear programme as the US looked to contain the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
"The answer is no," the US president told reporters on Wednesday when asked if he would support such a response after Iran fired around 200 missiles at Israel the previous day following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon.
Earlier, Israel’s military chief had vowed revenge on the Iranian bombardment. “We will respond,” said the Chief of the General Staff, Herzi Halevi.
He also warned: “We have the capability to reach and strike every location in the Middle East and those of our enemies who have not yet understood this, will understand this soon.”
It comes as the Israel Defense Forces said eight Israeli soldiers – ranging in age from 21 to 23 – were killed during intense fighting Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah said it had clashed with Israeli troops in the border town of Maroun el-Ras after pushing back forces nearby, and warned that the battles were only “the first round”.
The Israeli military, meanwhile, said it has destroyed over 150 elements of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.
Israel also renewed its bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday evening. Lebanese officials said at least two were killed and 11 wounded in an airstrike in the centre of the city.
Israel and Hezbollah clash in fierce fighting in Lebanon as Netanyahu vows Iran ‘will pay’ for missile attack
Iran is on course to build a nuclear bomb and enter a high-stakes gamble
It’s clear we are already in a Middle East war – one that will be difficult to stop
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?
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.”
In 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”.
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.”
Gazan 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.
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