Israel-Iran latest: Hamas leader killed in Lebanon as Israeli strikes pummel Beirut suburbs
Iran vows to not back down as tensions escalate across Middle East
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Israeli strikes have pummelled Beirut for another day as residents were seen running for shelter and blasts echoed through the southern suburbs, sending huge plumes of smoke and flames into the night sky.
As buildings shook miles away from the explosions on Friday, Israel also cut off the main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, which is used by the tens of thousands of people fleeing the Israeli bombardment of Hezbollah.
Beirut was also rocked by huge explosions the previous night, amid reports Israeli strikes targeted senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine, who is regarded as the successor to the militant group’s leader Nasrallah Hassan after he was killed in an Israeli strike.
Following the reported targeting of its allies’ next leader, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed 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 that saw Iran launch around 180 rockets at Israel.
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'Hard to tell' if Israel plans retaliation on 7 October anniversary: US state department official
A top US State Department official told CNN that it is “really hard to tell” if Israel is planning retaliatory attacks on 7 October, marking the anniversary of Hamas’ deadly attacks.
“I think in some ways they would want to avoid the seventh, so in my estimation, if there is anything it would likely be before or after,” the official added.
Israel has also not given any official assurances that it would not target Iran’s nuclear facilities, according to the official.
“We hope and expect to see some wisdom as well as strength, but as you guys know, no guarantees,” the state department official said.
'Iran and allies won't back down'
Iran’s leader Ali Khamenei said in a rare public address yesterday that Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza will not back down amid Israel’s invasion and airstrikes over Beirut.
Khamenei defended Iran’s airstrike on Israel as “legal and legitimate”, adding that the country would not “procrastinate nor act hastily to carry out its duty” in confronting Israel.
If Israel attacked, Tehran would retaliate by targeting Israeli energy and gas installations, Iranian Revolutionary Guards deputy commander Ali Fadavi was quoted saying semi-official news agency SNN.
“Every strike launched by any group against Israel is a service to the region and to all humanity,” Khamenei said, adding that assassinations would just spur more attacks.
UAE first aid shipments arrive in Lebanon
Shipments carrying first aid from the United Arab Emirates have arrived in Lebanon.
The UAE has pledged $100m in urgent relief to Lebanon amid Israel’s invasion of the country.
UAE’s first plane arrived yesterday with 40 tonnes of medical supplies in Beirut.
Israel attack on Lebanon in pictures:
South Korea airlifts nearly 100 citizens and their families from Lebanon
The South Korean military has evacuated 97 citizens and their family members from Lebanon amid Israel’s invasion and escalating tensions in the region, the country’s foreign ministry said.
A KC-330 aircraft carrying the evacuees, including Lebanese family members, departed from Beirut on Friday and is expected to return to South Korea on Saturday afternoon.
South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol ordered military aircraft to be deployed to rescue citizens from parts of the Middle East affected by the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Trump urges Israel to strike Iran's nuclear sites: 'Worry about everything else later'
Former US president and Republican nominee Donald Trump said Israel should target Iran’s nuclear facilities, days after president Joe Biden said that an “all-out war” in the Middle East should be avoided.
“That’s the thing you want to hit, right?..I mean, it’s the biggest risk we have, nuclear weapons,” Mr Trump said at a campaign event in North Carolina, adding that Israel should “worry about everything else later”.
“If they’re going to do it, they’re going to do it. But we’ll find out whatever their plans are,” he added.
Kamala Harris meets Arab American leaders angered by US support for Israel
US Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris met with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Flint, Michigan, who are angered by the White House’s support for Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
During the meeting, Ms Harris reportedly discussed efforts to prevent a regional war.
“Emgage Action asked Vice President Harris to impress upon President Biden the urgency of bringing an immediate end to the violence,” Wa’el Alzayat, the chief of Emgage Action, a group of organisations seeking to empower Muslim Americans, said.
“She agrees that this war needs to end,” Mr Alzayat added.
Hamas leader killed along with family in Lebanon, Hamas says
Israeli strike in northern Lebanon has killed a leader of Hamas armed wing along with three of his family members, Hamas media said.
Israel stated that it is considering various options in response to Iran’s missile strike on Tuesday, which Iran launched in retaliation for Israel’s invasion of Lebanon.
More than 2,000 people have been killed so far in Israel’s attacks across Lebanon, including 127 children and 261 women, according to the country’s health ministry.
Oil prices rise on possibility of Israeli attack on Iran’s oil facilities
Oil prices have risen on the possibility of an attack on Iran's oil facilities as Israel pursues its goals of pushing back Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and eliminating their Hamas allies in Gaza.
US President Joe Biden said on Friday he would think about alternatives to striking Iranian oil fields if he were in Israel's shoes, adding that he thinks Israel has not yet concluded how to respond to Iran.
Many buildings reduced to rubble in Hezbollah’s stronghold in Beirut’s southern suburbs
Many buildings have been reduced to rubble in Hezbollah’s stronghold in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Nearly all the storefronts in the main market street, Moawad Souk, were damaged and the road filled with broken glass.
"We're alive but don't know for how long," said Nouhad Chaib, a 40-year-old man already displaced from the south.
The Islamic Health Authority, a civil defense agency linked to Hezbollah, said 11 medics had been killed in three separate Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon on Friday.
The Israeli military said that in the past day it had struck several weapons storage facilities, command and control centres, and additional Hezbollah infrastructure sites in the Beirut area.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, visiting Beirut and meeting with top Lebanese officials, said Tehran supported efforts for a ceasefire in Lebanon provided it was backed by Hezbollah and was simultaneous with a Gaza ceasefire.
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