The death toll in Lebanon has reached 558 including 50 children since Israel launched fresh strikes on Monday, the country’s health minister said.
A fresh wave of strikes began on Tuesday, after Monday saw the deadliest day of strikes in Lebanon in nearly two decades of the conflict.
After almost a year of war against Hamas in Gaza on its southern border, Israel is shifting its focus to the northern frontier, where Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas, also backed by Iran.
The Israeli military said it struck a Hezbollah militant cell and its artillery and tanks hit other Hezbollah targets in the south overnight in the latest round of strikes.
Hezbollah on Tuesday morning said it had attacked several Israeli military targets, including an explosives factory 60 km (37 miles) into Israel.
It comes as thousands were pictured fleeing southern Lebanon in loaded cars, vans and trucks. Highways north were gridlocked. Images also showed scores of civilians sleeping on beaches and walkways after having fled last night.
Defence Secretary leaves party conference for emergency meeting on Middle East
Defence Secretary John Healey has left the Labour Party conference early to chair an emergency Cobra meeting, Sky News reports.
The meeting is believed to be concerning escalating tensions in the Middle East, as Israel kills hundreds with a fresh wave of strikes in Lebanon since yesterday.
Alex Croft24 September 2024 12:51
Israel aiming to deter Iran, Israeli media reports
A source told Israeli outlet Haaretz that part of the aim of Israel’s airstrike was to signal to the “Iranian axis that Israel is unafraid to act decisively to prevent further escalation”.
They added: “Israel has additional potential targets in Lebanon and will not hesitate to strike if Hezbollah does not grasp the message.”
After arriving at the UN summit in New York, Iranian president said: “We do not wish to be the cause of instability in the Middle East as its consequences would be irreversible.”
“It’s Israel that wants to drag everyone into war and destabilise the region… They are dragging us to a point where we do not wish to go.”
Alex Croft24 September 2024 12:30
Foreign Secretary calls for ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon
The Government has urged a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, as the death toll from Israeli strikes targeting the terrorist group Hezbollah rose to nearly 500 people.
Thousands of people have been fleeing southern Lebanon since the attacks from Israel began on Monday, according to Associated Press.
Full report by Harry Taylor:
Harry Taylor24 September 2024 12:15
Pictured: Scenes on the ground in Lebanon
Alex Croft24 September 2024 11:49
Around 100 projectiles fired by Hezbollah, Israeli military says
Around 100 projectiles, including rockets, were launched towards Israel by Hezbollah since midnight, the Israeli military says.
Lower Galilee and HaAmakim appear to be the targets of most of the rockets, a spokesperson told CNN.
Upper Galilee and Haifa were both also targeted, with buildings damaged and fires started in the north.
Most of the projectiles fired at Israel were intercepted by the Israeli military, it claims.
It comes as Israel continues to strike Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, having ramped up strikes once again in the last couple of hours.
Alex Croft24 September 2024 11:28
Breaking: Number killed in Lebanon rises to 558 including 50 children
The number killed by Israeli strikes on Lebanon this week has risen to 558 including 50 children, the Lebanese health minister said.
Firass Abiad added that 94 women were included in the dead, and 1,835 have been injured.
The death count was last counted at 492 and 1,645 wounded yesterday.
Alex Croft24 September 2024 11:23
Nearly 50 flights cancelled in and out of Beirut
Beirut’s main airport, Rafic Hariri, has announced that at least 40 flights were cancelled as of Tuesday morning.
The airport’s website shows dozens of cancelations including for trips between Germany, France, Turkey, Iraq and Qatar.
Aviation authorities in Lebanon have denied that any full flight suspensions are taking place, and confirmed cancellations by certain airlines due to Israeli strikes.
Alex Croft24 September 2024 11:07
Iranian president arrives at UN summit
The leaders of 193 countries have been invited to New York for the UN’s highest-level annual summit.
The Middle East will be high on the agenda following the most deadly day of Israeli strikes on Lebanon in decades.
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New York yesterday. It is his first summit as president after the helicopter crash in May which killed former President Ebrahim Raisi – who many touted to be Iran’s next Supreme Leader.
Upon his arrival, Pezeshkian said: “We do not wish to be the cause of instability in the Middle East as its consequences would be irreversible.”
“It’s Israel that wants to drag everyone into war and destabilise the region… They are dragging us to a point where we do not wish to go.”
Alex Croft24 September 2024 10:47
Pictured: Thousands in Lebanon struck in gridlock traffic as they flee homes
Alex Croft24 September 2024 10:24
Another wave of Israeli strikes begins
Israeli airstrikes are building up again on Lebanon, according to reports on Israeli radio.
A brief lull in strikes appears to have ended, after nearly 500 people were killed on Monday.
Lebanese state news agency NNA said on Tuesday: “Hostile airstrikes resumed on Baalbek and its surrounding areas, targeting Al-Tal Al-Abyad district at the northern entrance of Baalbek, the town of Talia, and the outskirts of Shamstar.”
Sky News reports that four strikes hit the area around Tyre, southern Lebanon, within a few minutes.
Israeli army radio confirmed that another wave of strikes is underway.
Alex Croft24 September 2024 10:01