Israel-Lebanon latest: Another Hezbollah chief ‘killed’ in Israeli strike as Iran vows revenge over Nasrallah
UK government asks Britons in Lebanon to ‘leave now’ amid concerns over escalating situation in Middle East
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Israel claims to have killed another key Hezbollah chief as its bombardment continued in Lebanon, after the Lebanese militant group’s 32-year leader Hassan Nasrallah was assassinated in a strike on Beirut.
At least six people were killed in the south of Lebanon and nine others in the Beqaa Valley in the northeast as the Israeli onslaught continued, 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
Lebanon health minister says 11 killed and 108 wounded in Israeli strikes on Friday
Lebanon’s health minister has said that 11 people were killed and 108 injured in Israeli strikes on Friday, after the attack which killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah levelled six blocks of flats.
Iran in precarious position after assassination of Hezbollah chief, analyst says
Iran is in a precarious position after the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, having not yet responded either to the death of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, warned Chatham House analyst Dr Sanam Vakil.
“An attack from Tehran will certainly invite an Israeli response – one that Netanyahu is clearly looking for, said Dr Vakil, who leads the think-tank’s Middle East and North Africa programme.
“Its reputation as the patron of the axis is certainly damaged. Iran’s intelligence continues to be compromised and its positioning in Syria too remains under persistent attack. Furthermore, it is clear that the axis has not proven effective at providing Iran deterrence, defence against Israel or a ceasefire in Gaza.
“Pezeshkian, Iran’s new president also seeks negotiations and sanctions relief. A military response to Nasrallah’s death will, for the time being, close down the path of diplomacy. “
“Despite these risks and calculations, Iran will be looking for some way to turn the tables and save some face. This could result in a coordinated axis response including from Iraq and the Houthis or another direct Iranian strike on Israel itself.
“By maintain pressure or even escalating, Tehran is aware that this will invite further attacks, but it will choose to do so keep pressure on Israel, perhaps return the focus to Gaza and a ceasefire and above all to stop further Israeli attacks.”
Breaking: Hezbollah confirms Nasrallah’s death in Israeli airstrike
Hezbollah has confirmed its leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israel airstrike.
France says it has information confirming Hezbollah chief is dead
France’s foreign ministry has said that, according to its information, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is indeed dead, as claimed by Israel.
“According to the information we have, Hassan Nasrallah, secretary general of Hezbollah, would indeed have died,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement.
EU aviation safety agency advises airlines not to operate in Israel or Lebanon
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has recommended that airlines do not operate in Lebanese or Israeli airspace for the next month.
The agency said that “an overall intensification of air strikes and degradation in the security situation has been noted, impacting the safety of airspace over Israel and Lebanon”.
It did not cite any one specific event in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah as a trigger for issuing its “conflict zone information bulletins” for the two countries.
It said the recommendation is valid until 31 October but could be reviewed earlier and adapted or withdrawn.
Hezbollah threat ‘hasn’t gone away’, Israeli military official warns
Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani has said that much of Hezbollah’s arsenal remains intact despite intense Israeli strikes over the past week, and that Israel will continue to target the group.
“This isn’t a threat that has gone away,” he said, adding that it is “safe to assume” that Hezbollah will retaliate.
But he said Israel hopes the blow “will change Hezbollah’s actions” and alter the course of the war.
Mr Shoshani said the airstrike targeting Nasrallah was based on years of tracking him, along with “real-time information.” He said Israel confirmed the death through various types of intelligence, though he declined to elaborate.
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