Israel-Hezbollah latest: Iran vows to carry on fighting after Hezbollah successor ‘targeted in Beirut blast’
Israeli strike lands just outside perimeter of Beirut airport as Lebanon offensive continues
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
Iran has warned it will not back down from Israel after the Jewish state reportedly targeted the successor of Tehran-backed Hezbollah’s leader Nasrallah Hassan in Lebanon.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said his country, and his regional proxies across the Middle East, would carry on fighting Israel as tensions escalate across the region.
“The brilliant action of our armed forces a couple of nights ago was completely legal and legitimate”, Khamenei said of a massive missile barrage which saw over 100 rockets launched at Israel earlier in the week.
It comes after Beirut was rocked by huge explosions amid reports senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine, regarded as the militia’s next leader, was targeted in Israeli strikes.
Civilians were fleeing the series of massive blasts in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Thursday night, with state media reporting there were more than 10 consecutive airstrikes.
Iran’s “axis of resistance” comprises a group of violent proxies across Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Palestine, coordinated by Iran’s Quds Force, the foreign arm of the IRGC.
The Quds Force’s aim is to export Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution abroad and is opposed to any US or Israeli influence in the Middle East.
UAE flight delays: How is the unfolding Middle East conflict affecting international flights?
Israeli strikes on Beirut kill at least nine as military calls for more Lebanon evacuations
Girl, 9, calls for end to violence from hospital bed in Lebanon
What are Israel and Iran’s attack and defence capabilities?
Pictured: Aftermath of Beirut strikes
Iran says any Lebanon ceasefire should be simultaneous with Gaza
Tehran backs efforts for a ceasefire in Lebanon on the condition it would be backed by Hezbollah and simultaneous with a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said in Beirut on Friday.
“We support efforts for a ceasefire on the condition that it would be acceptable to the Lebanese people, acceptable to the resistance, and thirdly, it would be synchronized with a ceasefire in Gaza,” he said.
Iran’s most senior diplomat also said his presence in Beirut “in these difficult circumstances” was the best evidence that Iran stood by Lebanon and supported the Shias.
Comment: I’ve advised two Israeli prime ministers – and this is what really scares me about the current conflict…
I’ve advised two Israeli PMs – and I’m scared of the current conflict
…neither Israel nor Iran has a viable endgame strategy, writes Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas. Their relationship is on the verge of spiralling out of control – and threatens to suck the US involuntarily into the whirlpool it may cause
Rockets, missiles and the Iron Dome: who calls the shots in the Middle East?
Rockets, missiles and the Iron Dome: who calls the shots in the Middle East?
With the conflict having reached a new and extremely dangerous phase, former British army officer Mike Crofts weighs up the effectiveness of each side’s weaponry – and how they might use it next
'Time to leave', Starmer tells Britons in Lebanon
British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has once again called for any British nationals in Lebanon to leave the country.
More than 150 Britons left Beirut on the first government-chartered flight on Wednesday, with another plane landing in Birmingham yesterday.
It’s not clear how long Beirut’s airport can remain open, with some Israeli strikes yesterday hitting nearby areas, according to witnesses.
“I repeat importantly to UK nationals in Lebanon that now is the time to leave, now is the time to take up that evacuation plan,” Sir Keir said.
“That is a really important message to everybody listening who may be in that position. Now is the time to leave, we have got the plans in place. So, please come forward and we can make sure that they are evacuated.”
How close are we to all-out war across the Middle East?
How close are we to all-out war across the Middle East?
Israel could strike Iran’s nuclear research centres in retalition for Tehran’s mass missile attack over Israel
Analysis: It’s clear we are already in a Middle East war – one that will be difficult to stop
It’s clear we are already in a Middle East war – one that will be difficult to stop
World leaders, UN officials and experts all agree that only the most determined diplomatic efforts, only a multilateral ceasefire, can be the parachute to slow this nightmare down, writes Bel Trew
UK reveals £10m funding support for Lebanon as thousands are displaced
“Vital” humanitarian aid is on its way to Lebanon, the UK government has announced, with £10m in funds being sent to support the growing number of people displaced in the country.
More than 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced by Israeli attacks, according to authorities in the country, while nearly 2,000 are reported to have been killed over the past year - most in the past two weeks.
The announcement comes as the UK continues to urge all British nationals to leave Lebanon, with another plane landing in Birmingham carrying more than 150 people from Beirut yesterday.
Nasrallah ‘temporarily buried in secret location’
Hezbollah’s former leader Hassan Nasrallah has been buried in a secret location amid fears Israel would target a public funeral, sources said.
Nasrallah was killed on September 27 in Israeli airstrikes which targeted the Hezbollah headquarters in south Beirut.
“Hassan Nasrallah has been temporarily buried, until the circumstances allow for a public funeral,” the source said.
The source said a public funeral had been impossible to hold “for fear of Israeli threats they would target mourners and the place of his burial”.
Israel blocks Lebanon's main crossing to Syria
Israeli strikes sealed off Lebanon’s main border crossing with Syria early on Friday, hours after an intense Israeli attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs that is thought to have targeted the heir apparent to Hezbollah’s slain secretary general.
The strikes added to fears inside Lebanon that Israel’s targeting of Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militants will bring an all-out conflict, with Israel also poised to respond to Tuesday’s Iranian missile barrage on its territory.
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.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments