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Israel-Lebanon live: Biden orders Pentagon to ‘adjust’ military in region as Israel launches Beirut airstrikes

Daniel Hagari said an earlier strike on Hezbollah’s central command was ‘very precise’

Rachel Hagan,Barney Davis,Jane Dalton
Saturday 28 September 2024 00:40
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Starmer warns Israel-Hezbollah clashes risk triggering wider regional war

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Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

US President Joe Biden has ordered the Pentagon to adjust the military in the Middle East after Israel launched a wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon.

The White House said in a statement: “He has directed the Pentagon to assess and adjust as necessary US force posture in the region to enhance deterrence, ensure force protection, and support the full range of US objectives.”

The Israeli Defence Force said it launched strikes on targets in Tyre in southern Lebanon and Dahieh in Beirut.

Israeli spokesperson Daniel Hagari said an earlier strike on Hezbollah’s central command was “very precise”.

Earlier, Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut was hit by a series of massive explosions reported to have been targeted at the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

The airstrikes killed at least six people and wounded 91 in the suburbs, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israeli sources said Nasrallah was the intended target but a source close to Hezbollah told Reuters he was still alive.

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Israel claims to have hit 220 Hezbollah sites

Israel’s air force has struck about 220 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon the past day, the military says.

Among the targets struck were infrastructure sites, launchers from which projectiles were fired toward Israeli territory, Hezbollah operatives and weapons storage facilities in Lebanon, it said.

“The IDF is continuing to operate to degrade and dismantle Hezbollah’s terrorist capabilities and infrastructure,” the Israeli Defence Forces said.

Jane Dalton26 September 2024 22:01

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