Israel-Lebanon live: Israeli strike kills two in Beirut as US ‘furious’ over Netanyahu’s ceasefire dismissal
Air attack reportedly targeted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah but injured at least 76
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At least two people have been killed as Israeli military strikes in Beirut reportedly targeted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The airstrikes shook the Lebanese capital, wounding 76 and destroying six buildings in the southern suburbs, where Hezbollah’s central headquarters are said to be located. The death toll was expected to rise.
Israeli sources said Nasrallah was the intended target but a source close to Hezbollah told Reuters he was still alive.
Top US officials are furious after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire plan, sources told CNN. Biden administration chiefs had been assured by Netanyahu aides that he had agreed a 21-day peace deal framework, but hours after the White House announced the idea on Wednesday, Mr Netanyahu branded it “incorrect”.
Mr Netanyahu vowed to continue attacks on Iranian-backed fighters in Lebanon in a closely watched United Nations speech on Friday.
He told the assembly: “There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach, and that’s true of the entire Middle East.”
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Netanyahu orders Israeli military to fight Hezbollah with full force – despite ceasefire push
Israeli army warns occupants of Beirut areas to flee
The Israeli military has called for an immediate evacuation of certain buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs for the first time, according to an army spokesperson.
Avichay Adraee posted a message on social media to residents of particular buildings, saying: “You are located near Hezbollah interests and for your safety and the safety of your loved ones, you are obliged to evacuate the buildings immediately and move away from them at a distance of no less than 500 metres.”
Iraq cancels flights to Beirut
Iraqi Airways suspended all its flights to and from Beirut until further notice due to “the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon”, Iraq’s transportation ministry said following the latest Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah has said it fired a salvo of rockets on the city of Safed in Israel, its first announced attack since Israeli strikes hit the southern suburbs of Beirut hours earlier.
US did not know about Israeli ‘targeting Nasrallah’, Biden says
The United States had no knowledge of or participation in the actions of the Israeli Defence Forces, President Biden has insisted.
Asked by reporters calling out questions whether he supported Israel’s decision to try to kill Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, he replied: “The United States had no knowledge of or participation in the IDF action.”
He added: “We’re gathering information,” and “Need to get more information.”
Netanyahu cuts short US visit
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly cut short a visit to the United States and was returning home overnight on Friday, instead of waiting until the end of Sabbath on Saturday evening, his office said.
Israeli politicians do not normally travel on the Sabbath except for matters of great import, and there were suggestions the decision reflected the latest airstrikes were significant.
Hours earlier, Mr Netanyahu had told the UN that Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah would continue, further dimming hopes for a ceasefire. News of the blasts came as he was briefing reporters travelling with him. A military aide whispered into his ear, and he quickly ended the briefing.
Iran promises punishment on perpetrator after strike on Beirut
Iran’s embassy in Lebanon said on X that Friday’s Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs represents a dangerous game-changing escalation that will “bring its perpetrator an appropriate punishment.”
At least two people are dead and 76 were wounded in an Israeli strike on Haret Hreik, in the Dahieh suburbs of Beirut.
The death toll was expected to rise as the removal of rubble continues.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly the “long arm of Israel” can reach the “tyrants of Tehran” anywhere in Iran and the Middle East.
GCHQ issues alert over cyber attackers working on behalf of Iranian government
The GCHQ has issued a new alert warning of a threat from targeted phishing attacks being carried out by hackers working on behalf of the Iranian government.
The National Cyber Security Centre, which is a part of the GCHQ, said cyber attackers working on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are using social engineering techniques to gain access to victims’ personal and business accounts online.
Sian Elvin reports:
GCHQ issues alert over cyber attackers working on behalf of Iranian government
The National Cyber Security Centre has issued a new alert about the threat to the UK
Two dead 76 wounded in latest Israeli strike on Beirut
Two people are dead and 76 were wounded in an Israeli strike on Haret Hreik, in the Dahieh suburbs of Beirut, according to the preliminary toll from the Lebanese ministry of health.
The death toll was expected to rise as the removal of the rubble continues.
Al Jazeera reporter Zeina Khodr said from the scene of the devastation: “This attack was massive. I have covered a lot of the aftermath of Israeli air strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, but nothing like this.
“The smoke is still billowing. The area of devastation is so large and wide. We’re talking about at least six to seven residential buildings levelled to the ground.”
US not warned over Beirut strike
The United States did not have advanced warning of an Israeli strike in Beirut, a Pentagon spokesperson said on Friday.
“The United States was not involved in this operation and we had no advanced warning,” Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters.
It was revealed that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart as the operation was ongoing.
Singh declined to say what Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told Austin about the operation and whether it indeed targeted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The Pentagon also declined to speculate on whether the Hezbollah leader was still alive.
Horror video shows desperate scramble for survivors after Beirut strike
Lebanese news channel Al-Mayadeen is reporting that the Israeli raids targeted residential neighbuorhoods in Haret Hreik, where six buildings including a residential block were “levelled to the ground”.
The Lebanese Civil Defense confirmed that its teams are working to extinguish the fire that broke out in the scene of destruction and are working to evacuate the injured and retrieve bodies.
Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was target of strike
Lebanon‘s Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was the target of the latest Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, multiple news websites are reporting.
AFP and Iranian state news are both reporting that he is safe and survived the assassination attempt, but still no official word from the group.
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