Israel-Lebanon latest: Israeli strikes continue as Iran vows revenge after Hezbollah leader Nasrallah’s death
UK government asks Britons in Lebanon to ‘leave now’ amid concerns over escalating situation in Middle East
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Israel’s bombardment continued in Lebanon after the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike at the militants’ headquarters in the Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh.
At least six people were killed in the south of Lebanon and nine others in the Beqaa Valley in the northeast, local media reports said.
The Israeli military claimed to have killed Nabil Kaouk – a senior Hezbollah figure who led the group’s forces in southern Lebanon during Israel’s 18-year occupation – and said it had struck key weapon manufacturing sites, including one used to produce missile and rocket launchers.
The UK government has asked Britons in Lebanon to “leave now” amid concerns over the escalating situation in the Middle East following.
Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei said Nasrallah’s death “will not go unavenged” as he remembered the Hezbollah leader as the “flag-bearer of resistance” in the region.
A total of 1,030 people, including 156 women and 87 children, have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon in less than two weeks, the country’s health minister said.
Israel kills Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in strike marking major escalation in conflict
The killing of Hezbollah’s leader will make Israel no safer
‘We have lost everything’: Britons fleeing Lebanon say family was wiped out by airstrike
Who was Hassan Nasrallah? Hezbollah leader of Lebanese militant group killed in Israeli strike
Nasrallah’s death marks major escalation in conflict
The leader of Hezbollah has been killed in an Israeli airstrike on a building complex in the Lebanese capital Beirut, marking a significant escalation in the conflict and heightening fears of a wider war.
The strikes ramp up pressure on Iran to retaliate as Nasrallah’s death leaves Tehran’s most powerful proxy without the man who has led the group since 1992.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on people to stand by Hezbollah “with whatever means they have” and assist them in confronting Israel, warning that “the fate of this region will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront”.
More here.
Israel kills Hezbollah chief in strike marking major escalation in conflict
Fears of wider war after assassination of man who led organisation for 32 years
European, Arab and Muslim nations launch drive for Palestinian state
Europeans, Arab and Muslim nations launch a new initiative for an independent Palestinian state
A new initiative is underway by European, Arab and Islamic nations to strengthen support for a Palestinian state and its institutions and prepare for a future after the war in Gaza and escalating conflict in Lebanon
Second round of Israeli strikes ‘kill 33’
Thirty-three people were killed and 195 wounded in Israeli strikes on Lebanon on Saturday, the Lebanese health ministry said.
Families fleeing Beirut sleep on beaches and streets
People escaping Friday night’s airstrikes on Beirut joined tens of thousands who have already fled there to escape Israel’s bombardment:
Hundreds of fleeing families sleep on beaches and streets after Israel's strikes shake Beirut
Hundreds of families displaced from Beirut's southern suburbs after the area was pummeled overnight by the heaviest Israeli airstrikes in nearly a year of limited conflict are sleeping in public squares and beaches or in their cars in the city center
Germany striving for ceasefire, minister says
Germany is continuing efforts to enable a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah group, its foreign minister has said, adding that the situation was extremely dangerous.
“There is a threat that this entire region will slip further into an absolute spiral of violence,” Annalena Baerbock was quoted as saying.
Germany last month called for “de-escalation and regional stability” in the Middle East.
PM joins French and German leaders in Middle East ‘de-escalation’ call
Sir Keir Starmer urged Iran and its allies not to ‘jeopardise the opportunity to agree a ceasefire and the release of hostages’ in Gaza.
Israel’s military mobilises extra reservists as tensions escalate
Israel's military mobilizes additional reserve soldiers as tensions escalate with Lebanon
The Israeli military says they are mobilizing additional reserve soldiers as tensions escalate with Lebanon
Opinion: There’s still a chance to avert war
With the world overwhelmingly opposed to a new all-out war, it could yet be avoided, writes Mary Dejevsky:
The Middle East is closer than ever to all-out war – but there is a path to peace
As Israel refuses a ceasefire with Lebanon, the future of the region is again on a knife edge – but this time, says Mary Dejevsky, the key to any peaceful settlement rests elsewhere
US committed to Israel’s defence, says Pentagon
The United States is determined to prevent Iran and Iran-backed groups from exploiting the situation in Lebanon or expanding the conflict, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has told Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant in phone calls.
Mr Austin expressed full US support for Israel’s right to defend itself and made clear that “the United States remains postured to protect US forces and facilities in the region and committed to the defense of Israel”, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said.
Fire and smoke at Lebanese border
Smoke billows over Khiam, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as pictured from Marjayoun, near the Lebanese border with Israel:
Armed men fire into air and shut down shops as Hezbollah supporters in shock
Armed men fired shots in the air and shut down shops in parts of Beirut after the death of Hassan Nasrallah.
Hezbollah supporters said they were in a state of shock and disbelief.
“God, I hope it’s not true. It’s a disaster if it’s true,” said Zahraa, a young woman displaced overnight from Hezbollah’s stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
“He was leading us. He was everything to us. We were under his wings,” she said tearfully.
She said other displaced people around her fainted or began to scream when they received notifications on their phone of Hezbollah’s statement confirming his death.
“We’re still waiting for him to come out on the television at 5pm and tell us that everything is okay, that we can go back home,” Zahraa said.
In some parts of Beirut, armed men went into shops and told owners to shut them down, witnesses said. It was not immediately clear what faction the armed men belonged to.
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