Killed Hezbollah chief’s rumoured successor ‘unreachable’ amid intense Beirut airstrikes - Israel-Iran latest
Iran vows to not back down as tensions escalate across Middle East
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
A senior Hezbollah leader rumoured to be a possible successor to Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed last week, has been declared “unreachable” after more Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut.
Lebanese security sources said they were unable to establish contact with senior figure Hashem Safieddine after Israel reportedly targeted him during airstrikes on the southern Beirut suburb of Dahieh.
Subsequent strikes have prevented rescuers from concluding whether Safieddine has been killed, separate sources added.
When asked in a Friday evening briefing about whether Safieddine was killed in the strike, Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said that the military was still investigating the outcome of the raid.
“Around midnight, we struck the Central Intelligence headquarters of Hezbollah in Dahieh,” he said. “When we have more information to share about who was there and what the result of the strike was, we will share it.”
Former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah was killed during Israeli airstrikes on the Lebanese capital last weekend. His deputy, speaking a few days later, said they would soon elect a new leader. Israel said they killing of Nasrallah was only the first stage of their attack on the group.
Israel launches fresh strikes on Beirut as Iran’s leader vows Hezbollah and Hamas won’t back down
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?
UN says civilian toll in Lebanon from Israeli campaign is ‘totally unacceptable'
The toll on civilians in Lebanon from Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah is “totally unacceptable”, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Friday.
”All parties must do whatever they can at all times to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and ensure that civilians are never put in harm's way,” Dujarric told reporters.
Two Israeli soldiers killed in combat, military says
Israel's military announced on Friday that two of its soldiers from the Golani Brigade had been killed in combat, and two others severely wounded.
Israeli media reported that the two soldiers were killed in a drone attack launched from Iraq at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The Golan Heights were captured from Syria by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed in a move not recognised by most countries.
The Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Shi'ite armed factions opposed to US and Israeli presence in the region, claimed responsibility for three dawn attacks on sites in the Golan Heights and the Tiberias region.
Plane carrying Poles from Lebanon lands in Warsaw
A plane carrying several dozens of Poles and citizens of other countries who wanted to leave Lebanon landed in Warsaw on Friday, the Polish Foreign Ministry said on social media platform X.
Western nations have drafted contingency plans to evacuate citizens from Lebanon after a dramatic escalation in the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed movement Hezbollah, coupled with Iran's missile attack on Israel on Tuesday.
No country has launched a large-scale military evacuation yet, though some are chartering aircraft as Beirut airport stays open.
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
Qatar, Oman and the UAE travel advice: What are the current global warnings for tourists?
Qatar, Oman and the UAE: What are the current travel warnings for tourists?
Exclusive: Key flights are tracking south of the conflict zones, typically adding 30 minutes to journey times and jeopardising connections
Israeli bombardment kills 29 people in Gaza while militants renew rocket fire into Israel
Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip killed at least 29 Palestinians on Friday, medics said, and sirens blared in southern Israel in response to renewed rocket fire from militants in the Palestinian enclave.
The new rocket salvoes indicated that Hamas-led militant factions in Gaza are still able to fire projectiles into Israel despite a year-long Israeli aerial and ground offensive that has turned wide areas of the enclave into wasteland.
On Friday, the Israeli military said sirens sounded in southern Israel for the first time in around two months.
"Almost a year after 7 October, Hamas is still threatening our civilians with their terrorism and we will continue operating against them," it added, referring to the anniversary of Hamas' cross-border attack that touched off the Gaza war.
In Gaza City in north Gaza, Palestinian health officials said one Israeli aerial strike on a house killed at least seven people. Four people including two women and a baby were killed in the bombing of a home in the southern city of Khan Younis.
The rest were killed in airstrikes on several areas across the densely populated coastal enclave. Residents said Israeli forces operating in Gaza City's Zeitoun suburb and in Rafah, near the southern border with Egypt, blew up clusters of homes.
Israel's military says Hamas combatants use crowded, built-up residential neighbourhoods as cover. Hamas denies this.
Israel media, reporting on the rocket fire, said one rocket was intercepted by air defence and another crashed in an open area. There were no reports of casualties or notable damage.
Iran is on course to build a nuclear bomb and enter a high-stakes gamble
Jack Straw: Iran is on course to build a nuclear bomb and enter a high-stakes gamble
As someone who has negotiated with some of the Iranian leaders still in power today, Jack Straw, the former foreign secretary, explains why he believes they have the capacity to build and launch nuclear warheads, and why their recent actions suggest they have decided to go for broke…
Watch: Israel troops prepare for targeted ground operation in Lebanon
Editorial: Keir Starmer is right to stand with Israel while calling for de-escalation
Pictured: Aftermath of Beirut strikes
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