Middle East live: Israel says it killed two more Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon as Biden and Netanyahu speak
It comes as the Israeli military expanded its ground invasion of southern Lebanon with thousands of troops
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
The Israeli military said it killed two more Hezbollah commanders in southern Lebanon and its fighter jets attacked ammunition depots in Beirut.
The Israeli troops also killed a member of Hezbollah's "Golan Terrorist Network" in the area of Quneitra in Syria, the military said.
The strikes took place as US president Joe Biden and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu discussed a potential Israeli response to Iran’s missile attack in a 30-minute phone call.
The “direct and very productive” conversation yesterday came after the Israeli defence minister, Yoav Gallant, reiterated to his country’s media plans for a “deadly, precise and above all surprising” strike against Iran.
Iran launched a missile attack last week following an escalation of Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel has since vowed retaliation, with some analysts predicting Israel is most likely to respond by targeting Iranian military installations.
Mr Biden reportedly urged Mr Netanyahu to minimise civilian casualties in Lebanon, where the government health minister says more than 2,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks.
Hezbollah claims to push back advancing Israeli troops in border clashes
Hezbollah claims its fighters have managed to push Israeli troops back near the border village of Labbouneh, having fired several rocket salvoes.
Further east, the Lebanese militant group said it had attacked Israeli soldiers in the village of Maroun el-Ras and unleashed missile barrages at Israeli forces advancing towards the twin border villages of Mays al-Jabal and Mouhaybib.
Video footage posted on social media and geolocated by Reuters had shown three Israeli soldiers raising their country’s flag in Maroun el-Ras, marking the first time for decades they are known to have done so on Lebanese territory Israel occupied from 1982-2000.
US says it made clear Israel’ is ‘fully expected’ to abide by humanitarian law in Gaza
The United States is incredibly concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the State Department has said.
“It has been the subject of some very urgent discussions between our two governments,” spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.
“We have been making clear to the government of Israel that they have an obligation under international humanitarian law to allow food and water and other needed humanitarian assistance to make it into all parts of Gaza, and we fully expect them to comply with those obligations.”
Israeli strike on Iran ‘would be lethal, precise and surprising’, says Gallant
Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant has warned that a strike on Iran in response to its recent missile attack would be “lethal” and “surprising”.
His office said in a statement: “Our strike will be lethal, precise and above all, surprising. They won’t understand what happened and how. They will see the results.”
“Whoever strikes us will be harmed and pay a price,” he added.
Pictured: Displaced Lebanese spend another night on the streets
Israel expands ground invasion of southern Lebanon and says assassinated Hezbollah leader’s successor killed
Israel expands ground invasion of southern Lebanon
Israel intensifies airstrikes that have already killed 1,400 people in the past fortnight – among them, Hashem Safieddine, claims Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
Taliban profit as flights diverted around Middle East crisis fill up Afghan airspace
How Taliban is profiting off the Middle East crisis
Flying through Afghan airspace is proving to be the safest option for international airlines, with Iran’s missile bombardment of Israel causing a noticeable shift in flight patterns
Israeli troops move away from Irish forces in Lebanon
Israel’s armed forces have moved away from their positions near Irish troops in Lebanon, the Irish Defence Forces have confirmed.
It comes after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern about the Israeli Defence Forces’ (IDF) proximity to an outpost where a number of Irish peacekeepers are stationed.
Irish officials said there are now no Israeli military personnel or vehicles nearby, “having moved north of the post” on Tuesday evening.
Keeping a watchful eye on the enemies of our state
Keeping a watchful eye on the enemies of our state
Editorial: According to MI5, the greatest threats to the UK now come from Russia, Iran and Isis – but it is thanks to the efforts of the security services that they will not prevail
On the ground: Gaza hostage families blast air raid siren outside Netanyahu’s home as wake up call to agree release deal
Hostage families blast air raid siren outside Netanyahu’s home as wake up call
Relatives march in Jerusalem on anniversary of Hamas attack in which their loved ones were taken to urge Israeli PM to bring them home, writes Bel Trew, while airstrikes continue in both Gaza and Lebanon
Harris to join Biden call with Israel's Netanyahu, source says
US Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to join President Joe Biden for his call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters.
The talks are expected to include discussion of Israeli plans for a retaliatory strike on Iran.
The Middle East has been on edge awaiting Israel’s response to a missile attack from Iran last week that Tehran carried out in retaliation for Israel’s military escalation in Lebanon.
The Iranian attack ultimately killed no one in Israel and Washington called it ineffective.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.