Israel-Lebanon latest: Fierce fighting as Israeli troops begin invasion and Hezbollah missiles target Tel Aviv

Israel says a ‘limited, localised and targeted’ ground operation has started in Lebanon, including ‘intense’ fighting along the border

Multiple explosions in Beirut during Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets

Israel is engaged in “intense fighting” with Hezbollah inside southern Lebanon after sending troops across the border as part of a major assault, the military have said.

Israel announced overnight that it had launched “targeted” raids on Hezbollah positions on the border with southern Lebanon, controlled by Hezbollah.

A lieutenant commanding Israel’s Egoz unit  reportedly told troops before going in that their operation was part of a “more substantial invasion” intended to halt Hezbollah’s ability to attack the northern territories across the border.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Makati said today this is “one of the most dangerous phases” in the country’s history.

"We urgently call for more aid to reinforce our ongoing efforts to provide basic support to displaced civilians," he said at a UN meeting hours after the Israeli incursion.

It comes as Hezbollah missiles targeted the headquarters of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency and the Glilot military base in the suburbs of Tel Aviv.

Hezbollah used its new missile, the Fadi 4, in the attack. It is unclear whether the strikes landed any damage or whether any casualties were reported.

Key Points

• Hezbollah targets Mossad HQ in Tel Aviv
• Lebanese PM: ‘One of the most dangerous phases’ in history
• Israel says ‘intense’ fighting taking place in Lebanon
• Uk government charters flight for Britons in Lebanon
• Israeli military says it has begun ‘limited, localised’ operation in southern Lebanon

[1 October 2024 00:56 · Graig Graziosi]

‘Operation Northern Arrows’ begins in southern Lebanon

The IDF’s push into Lebanon — which it is calling “Operation Northern Arrows” — is reportedly targeting individuals in villages close to the border that it claims posed an “immediate threat” to communities in northern Israel.

Residents in Aita al-Shaab, a village close to Lebanon’s southern border, told Reuters that they experienced heavy shelling and that they could hear drones and helicopters overhead.

[1 October 2024 00:30 · Graig Graziosi]

The White House denies that Biden calling for a ceasefire in Lebanon is a policy change on Israel

The White House says there has been no change in America’s support of Israel in response to the start of what has been described as a limited ground offensive in Lebanon despite President Joe Biden’s call for the Israeli government to consider “stopping” the operations and his suggestion that a ceasefire deal be implemented “now.”

Biden commented on the plans when he was questioned by reporters following remarks on Monday he delivered on the federal response to Hurricane Helene.

Asked whether he was aware of or comfortable with the Israeli plans, Biden replied: “I’m more aware than you might know, and I’m comfortable with them stopping.”

“We should have a ceasefire now,” he added.

[1 October 2024 00:02 · Tara Cobham]

Israeli military says it has begun ‘limited, localised’ operation in southern Lebanon

The Israeli military says it has begun a "limited, localised" operation in southern Lebanon.

[30 September 2024 23:22 · Tara Cobham]

Rocket attack targets military base hosting US forces in Baghdad, military sources say

At least two Katyusha rockets were fired at a military base hosting US forces near Baghdad International Airport, two Iraqi military officials told Reuters early on Tuesday.

Air defenses intercepted the rockets, they added.

[30 September 2024 23:11 · Tara Cobham]

UK government charters flight out of Lebanon for Britons

The UK Government has chartered a flight out of Lebanon for Britons wanting to leave amid fears of a wider conflict.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the situation in Lebanon as “volatile” and with the “potential to deteriorate quickly” as the flight, due to leave Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday, was confirmed.

Earlier on Monday night, Mr Lammy had reiterated calls for Britons in Lebanon to leave as he said the Government will do “all that we can” to assist people in fleeing.

British nationals and their spouses, partners and children under 18 are eligible for the flight, and those who are vulnerable will be prioritised.

Mr Lammy chaired a ministerial meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Monday to discuss the crisis.

There are an estimated 5,000 British citizens in Lebanon and the Government says it is working on “all contingency options”.

British military assets have been deployed to Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean in case an evacuation is required, although ministers and officials have stressed that Britons should leave immediately.

On Monday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Sir Keir Starmer has been “very, very clear” that British nationals “should leave now, particularly whilst commercial flights are still available”.

It is understood around 15 spaces for British nationals were secured on a flight which arrived on Sunday, and a further 40 on the flight due to leave on Tuesday.

The spokesman said the focus is on “securing extra spaces on commercial flights for those who do want to leave and reiterating our calls for those to leave and to register their presence with us and book the first available flights”.

The UK Government has chartered a flight out of Lebanon for Britons wanting to leave amid fears of a wider conflict (PA Wire)

[30 September 2024 23:05 · Tara Cobham]

Israeli military orders evacuations in Beirut as airstrikes hit southern suburbs

The Israeli military has issued evacuation orders in Beirut as a security source said Israeli strikes hit the Lebanese capital’s southern suburbs overnight.

At least six Israeli strikes hit the south of Beirut, a Lebanese security source said on Monday, with a Reuters reporter seeing a flash of light and hearing a loud blast about an hour after the Israeli military had warned residents to evacuate areas near buildings it said contained Hezbollah infrastructure south of the Lebanese capital.

A fire is seen following an Israeli bombardment of an area of southern Lebanon on Monday (AFP via Getty Images)

[30 September 2024 22:18 · Tara Cobham]

Huge blasts heard in Lebanese capital as Israeli strikes pound suburbs, say Reuters witnesses

Huge consecutive blasts were heard across the Lebanese capital just after midnight on Tuesday, Reuters witnesses said, as the Israeli military carried out strikes on the city's southern suburbs.

A massive smoke cloud could be seen in a Reuters live broadcast.

[30 September 2024 22:17 · Tara Cobham]

Hezbollah says it targeted Israeli troop movements near Lebanese border towns

Hezbollah has targeted Israeli troop movements across from Lebanese border towns, the group has said in a statement issued early on Tuesday.

[30 September 2024 22:13 · Tara Cobham]

Israeli strike hits Beirut’s southern suburbs, security source says

At least two Israeli strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs late on Monday, a security source said, with Reuters reporters seeing two flashes of light and hearing loud blasts coming from the neighbourhood.

The Israeli military had warned an hour earlier that it would strike specific buildings in the typically densely populated southern suburbs, saying armed group Hezbollah was using them as facilities and telling residents to leave.

Many residents had fled the area in recent days after a spike in Israeli strikes, but ended up sleeping in the streets of the city as shelters were full.

Families had told Reuters they had struggled to find taxis to get them out of the district fast enough.

Fears of a ground invasion have spiked on Monday, with Lebanese troops pulling back from the border with Israel and a U.S. official saying Israeli soldiers looked set to enter Lebanon.