Particularly violent night as airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs heard across Mount Lebanon: Day 361 of the Gaza and Lebanon wars

🔴 A large Israeli airstrike has targeted the neighborhood of Hadath, in Beirut's southern suburbs, according to local media, in an attack that was heard throughout the capital and Mount Lebanon district.

Another two strikes followed, also hitting the southern suburbs.

The Israeli army, through its Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee, has issued an "urgent" warning to the residents of Beirut's southern suburbs, "specifically in Haret Hreik," to evacuate buildings highlighted on a map posted Adraee on his official X account, and the buildings adjacent to them.

"You are located near dangerous Hezbollah installations that the [Israeli army] will act forcefully against in the near future," the statement reads. "For your safety and the safety of your family, we ask you to evacuate these buildings immediately and stay at least 500 meters away from them."

The Israeli army has released similar such warnings for the southern suburbs almost nightly since Friday, although there have been strikes on the densely populated neighborhood for which warnings were not sent.

Thank you for following today's live coverage of the Gaza and Lebanon wars and their regional impacts.

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⚡ The United States has indicated that it wants to “coordinate” with the Israelis a response to Iran after its missile attack on Israel.

“Of course, this attack must have consequences for Iran. I'm not going to elaborate on those consequences today, but there are things we're going to coordinate on with our Israeli counterparts,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

⚡ The Israeli air force will continue its strikes tonight across the Middle East, Reuters reports citing Israeli media.

“Iran has attacked Israel, and this aggression will have repercussions,” said Arabic-speaking Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee. "We will respond where we choose, when we choose, and how we choose.”

“We will do everything necessary to protect the citizens of Israel,” he added.

In their latest official report, the Lebanese authorities have recorded 140 Israeli air strikes and bombardments over the last 48 hours in various parts of the country, mainly in the south.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health has reported 95 killed in the last 24 hours, including six new paramedics, three children, eight women, 11 Syrians and six different nationalities. The number of injured has also risen by 172.

These figures bring to 1,873 killed and 9,134 wounded recorded since the start of clashes between Hezbollah and Israel on Oct. 8, 2024, the day after the war in Gaza began.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced it had used hypersonic “Fattah” missiles for the first time in its attack on Israel, according to state television.

“Iran does not seek war, but it will firmly face any threat,” added Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on his X account.

The U.S. State Department has announced that it is currently working with airlines to provide additional flights out of Beirut with more seats for U.S. nationals still in Lebanon, according to Reuters.

Jordan reopens its airspace, according to Reuters.

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for two new strikes against Israeli territory in the last hour.

The party claims to have targeted two “gatherings of enemy forces” in the border locality of Betset, opposite the Lebanese village of Labbouneh (Sour), and that of Metula, opposite Kfar Kila (Marjayoun), using “a series of Katyusha rockets”.

Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adrai stated in a message published on X that “the Israeli army assassinated Mohammed Jafar Kassir, the commander of Hezbollah's 4400 unit, who was responsible for transferring combat assets from Iran and its proxies to Hezbollah”. He made this announcement in the hours following the strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs.

Hezbollah has not yet communicated on the subject.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Iran's attack on Israel as “totally unacceptable”, adding that “the world must condemn it.”

Iran's attack on Israel has proved “ineffective” and has been “defeated” by U.S.-backed Israeli forces, said U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Stressing that Washington was “not aware of any deaths in Israel at this time,” but was seeking information on the death of a Palestinian civilian in the occupied West Bank, Jake Sullivan called it a “significant escalation on the part of Iran.”

Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed to have hit “three military bases” located around Tel Aviv in the missile attack on Israel.

“We targeted three military bases around Tel Aviv” in the operation, the Guardians said in a statement relayed by the Isna agency.

The latest death toll from the attack by two gunmen in Jaffa, south of Tel Aviv, is six killed and 10 wounded, according to emergency services quoted by Haaretz. An earlier figure of 8 dead has been corrected.

⚡ Israel will retaliate against Iran's attack “where and when” it decides, the Israeli army promises.

The German Foreign Minister said he had “warned Iran of this dangerous escalation and that Iran must stop its attack immediately,” adding that he condemned in the “strongest possible terms the Iranian missile attack on Israel.”

Iran announced the closure of its airspace and the suspension of flights from Tehran International Airport, according to local media. Other Iran-bound flights have been diverted to other destinations, adds Reuters.

Kuwait Airways changes the itineraries of some flights due to the “current situation,” Reuters reports, citing Kuwait's official news agency.

Hamas hails Iran's “heroic” attack on Israel, reports AFP.

⚡ The Israeli army has announced that it has killed the commander of the “Imam Hussein division” in Beirut, Reuters reports. Several Israeli strikes have targeted the southern suburbs of the capital over the past 24 hours.

➡️ More information on this division here. 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and the King of Jordan, according to Sky News, reports Reuters.

In a statement, the Israeli army said it was ordering the closure of a new military zone in northern Israel, Haaretz reports.

On Monday, the Israeli army had already declared a first military zone closed in the area of the northern border communities, including Metula, Misgav Am and Kfar Giladi.

A senior Iranian official claims that the United States was alerted by Iran through diplomatic channels “shortly before the attacks,” reports Reuters.

He said Russia had also been informed before the attack.

Iron Dome missiles launched to intercept Iranian fire killed a Palestinian in Jericho in the West Bank, who is originally from Gaza, Haaretz reports. Another impact wounded four Palestinian Authority security forces near al-Bireh in Ramallah.

A fire also broke out near the Palestinian town of Qalqilia, in the occupied West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, two explosions were reported following this Iranian missile salvo, according to local media, one at sea and the other on the militarized Israeli corridor of Netzarim, in the north of the enclave.

An Iraqi “resistance” group has declared that U.S. bases in Iraq will become a target if the U.S. intervenes in response to Iran or uses Iraqi airspace, Reuters reports.

Hezbollah said in a statement that the photos and videos published by the Israeli army, purporting to show the inside of warehouses and tunnels belonging to the party, are “old” and have no connection with any ongoing military action on Lebanon's border with occupied Palestine.

The movement described the broadcast as “psychological warfare” waged by Israel.

Two Israeli officials claimed that Iran had launched nearly 200 missiles in the attack, which took place in two waves, reports Axios.

After authorizing its inhabitants to leave the air-raid shelters, the Israeli authorities announced that they were reopening the country's airspace following the Iranian attack, reports Haaretz.

The Israeli army says it detected “impacts” from Iranian missiles after the attack.

Israeli air defenses shot down dozens of Iranian missiles that flew over southern Syria, Syrian army sources told Reuters.

Iran's state TV said that 80 percent of the missiles fired at Israel hit their target, reports Reuters.

Lebanon's caretaker Minister of Transport, Ali Hamieh, has announced that Lebanese airspace will be temporarily closed to air traffic for two hours.

The security of the 700-strong French contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is an “absolute priority” for France, said French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

“In the context of the Iranian attack on Israel, the Minister exchanged views this afternoon with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin on the security context in the Middle East, in particular the security of the State of Israel and the situation in Lebanon, where the safety of our soldiers is an absolute priority”, his office said.

“This attack was serious and will have consequences”, said an Israeli army spokesman quoted by Reuters.

An Israeli army spokesman said he knew of no injuries as a result of the attack. However, according to Israeli emergency services, at least two people were injured.

“Following an assessment of the situation, it has been decided that it is now possible to leave protected areas in all parts of the country,” wrote Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari on X. He reminded Israelis, however, that they must ‘continue to respect the directives of the Home Front Command’. However, he reminded Israelis that they must “continue to respect the directives of the Home Front Command”.

Two people were lightly injured after Iran's missile attack, according to Israeli rescue services.

U.N. chief Antonio Guterres condemned "the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East, with one escalation after another," in a statement reported by Reuters. "This must stop; we need a cease-fire," he added. 

Latest update on the situation in southern Lebanon, where no missile launches were recorded at the time of the Iranian attack on Israel.

Between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., Israeli aircraft targeted the towns of Houmin Fawqa, Maroun al-Ras, Yaroun, Aitaroun, Ainata, and Beit Yahoun. Additionally, artillery fire was directed at the border village of Maroun al-Ras.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, is in a secure location following the missile strike on Israel, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

The Jordanian army is calling on citizens to stay at home for their own safety, Reuters reports.

Axios journalist Barak Ravid, citing Israeli officials, reports that the Israeli security Cabinet is meeting in the government bunker near Jerusalem.

Israeli rescue services say they do not yet know if the Iranian attack caused casualties, Haaretz reports.

Reuters reports that a senior Iranian official stated Iran is ready to retaliate after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei ordered the launch of a missile toward Israel.

The Iranian mission to the U.N. wrote on X:

"Iran's legal, rational, and legitimate response to the Zionist regime's terrorist acts — which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and violating the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran — has been duly carried out. If the Zionist regime dares to respond or commits further malicious acts, a crushing retaliation will follow. The states in the region and the supporters of the Zionists are urged to distance themselves from this regime."

Axios reporter Barak Ravid spoke to a source "privy to the details," who said that the assessment in Israel and the U.S. is that the scale of this attack will be similar to the one that occurred in April, in retaliation for Israel's bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

In April, Iran sent more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, some of which took up to two hours to arrive in Israeli airspace, in an attack that was announced in advance and widely publicized. With the help of the American military, Israel claimed to have shot down or intercepted the majority of projectiles.

The United States is bolstering its presence in the Middle East by deploying “a few thousand” additional military personnel to the region, in response to rising tensions, the Pentagon has announced.

“A number of units already deployed in the Middle East (...) will be expanded,” said Pentagon official Sabrina Singh, adding that "forces that were to be deployed to the theater to replace them will instead reinforce these units."

She added that “a few thousand” additional U.S. troops would be deployed to the region.

Iraq closes its airspace, announces the state news agency, quoted by Reuters.

The Israeli Airports Authority has declared that no departures or arrivals are allowed at any of the country's airports, reports Haaretz.

🔴 Shooting in Jaffa: death toll rises to eight, Haaretz reports.

Israeli army radio reports that take-offs and landings at Ben Gurion airport have been halted. 

Nearly 200 missiles were launched towards Israel from Iran, according to Israeli army radio.

Jordan is temporarily suspending air traffic, reports its official press agency, quoted by Reuters.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards declared that the missile strikes are in retaliation for the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, and Abbas Nilforoushan.

Haniyeh was killed in Tehran in July, and General Nilforoushan, the deputy operations commander of the IRGC, was killed last week in Haret Hreik, a suburb of southern Beirut, along with Hezbollah leader Nasrallah.

A few minutes ago, witnesses reported to Reuters seeing dozens of missiles flying over central Jordan towards Israel.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards declared they have launched dozens of missiles at Israel. They added, according to Reuters, that Israel will be targeted again if it retaliates.

As Iran was attacking Israel, celebratory gunfire was heard coming from the southern suburbs of Beirut. The intense and continuous noise was audible throughout the whole city.

⚡ Iran is firing missiles at Israel, confirmed an Iranian state media outlet, according to AFP.

"Iran has launched ballistic missiles at Israel. The attack is ongoing. Security sources expect 200 to 300 missiles to be fired in two waves," Charles Lister, director of Syria and counter-terrorism programs at the Middle East Institute, wrote on X. He accompanied his message with a map.

Loud explosions were heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, according to Haaretz.

Iranian missiles were intercepted in Jordanian airspace as they were heading toward Jerusalem, witnesses told Reuters.

U.S. President Joe Biden stated that "the United States is prepared to help Israel defend itself against these attacks and protect American personnel in the region," according to AFP.

According to al-Arabiya, one of the missiles reportedly injured four people in Tel Aviv.

The Israeli military announced that sirens have sounded throughout Israel, according to Reuters.

Images transmitted by the Al-Hadath channel show dozens of Iranian missiles approaching Haifa, while some are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome. The channel reports more than 200 missiles fired so far.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday to attend the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit, the Qatari state news agency QNA reported, cited in Reuters.

⚡ An alert was issued by the Israeli Home Front Command in Jerusalem, Reuters reported. Al-Hadath reported that Iran has launched missiles at Israel, adding that the Israeli army claims to have intercepted them above Haifa, mentioning that 102 missiles were fired.

The Israeli military called on the public Tuesday to prepare for a potential "large-scale" Iranian attack by following civil defense directives and to immediately seek shelter in case of an alert, remaining there "until further notice."

"We take the threat seriously," said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an army spokesperson, in a televised message. "Fires from Iran could be on a large scale," he added after the United States warned of an "imminent ballistic missile attack" from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

An assailant opened fire on individuals waiting at a tram station in Jaffa, south of Tel Aviv, injuring at least five people, according to several media outlets, including Haaretz.

For its 13th operation of the day, Hezbollah announced that it targeted the Israeli base of Ilaniya at 5:53 p.m. with rockets. This base is located about 30 kilometers from the border with southern Lebanon, west of the Sea of Galilee.

According to al-Jadeed, the chief investigating judge of Beirut, Bilal Halawi, lives on the fourth floor of the building targeted by Israel this afternoon in the southern suburbs of Beirut, near al-Zahraa Hospital. However, he was not the intended target, as the strike hit the first two floors. The judge was seen exiting the building shortly after the strike by a reporter from the channel.

The magistrate is notably in charge of the investigation involving former Lebanese Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh.

⚡ Iran reportedly "informed" international officials of the "scale and timing" of its attack against Israeli territory, according to Haaretz.

According to U.S. and Israeli officials cited by Axios, this Iranian attack is expected to consist solely of "ballistic missiles" capable of reaching Israel "within 12 minutes." In April, in retaliation for a strike on its consulate in Damascus, Iran launched several hundred drones and cruise missiles, which allow for a much longer preparation time for Israeli defense and interception systems.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for an attack at 6:35 p.m. against "enemy forces gathering east of the Ras al-Naqoura maritime site with a salvo of rockets."

An airstrike was recorded on the outskirts of Houmin Fawqa, in the Nabatieh district, while Israeli artillery targeted Yaroun, in the Bint Jbeil district.

According to journalist Barak Ravid from Axios, citing a well-informed Western source in a message on X, "Iran could strike Israel with ballistic missiles capable of reaching the country in 12 minutes, rather than using drones or cruise missiles, which provide a much longer preparation time for defense and interception," as was the case last April.

At that time, Iran launched an unprecedented attack against Israel in retaliation for a strike against its diplomatic mission in Damascus.

A 75-year-old man was lightly injured by glass shards from a rocket fire launched from Lebanon at the locality of Giv'at Avni in northern Israel, Magen David Adom rescue service reported on Tuesday, as cited by Haaretz.

Additionally, the Israeli media reports that a Fadi-4 missile fired by Hezbollah "fell into the sea" off the coast of Netanya, an Israeli coastal locality located about 30 kilometers from Tel Aviv.

Latest developments in southern Lebanon:

- An Israeli military airstrike targeted the vicinity of the city of Nabatieh, near the technical school, according to our correspondent.

- The Israeli air force conducted two strikes in Bint Jbeil and another in Maroun al-Ras, in the Bint Jbeil district.

- Israeli artillery is targeting Kfar Kila, Tallet al-Aazieh, as well as the plain and the city of Khiam, in the Marjayoun district.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Tuesday for an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon and urged respect for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

"A total war must be avoided in Lebanon at all costs," Dujarric stated in a release, adding that Guterres had earlier spoken with caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, informing him that the U.N. is ready to assist those in need.

"The Secretary-General will continue his contacts, and his representatives on the ground will also carry on their efforts to de-escalate the situation," Dujarric added.

Hezbollah announced that, as part of its "Khaybar" operation launched earlier today, it fired "a salvo of Fadi-4 rockets at the Sde Dov airbase, on the outskirts of Tel Aviv."

New update on Israeli bombardments in southern Lebanon:

Israeli fighter jets and drones have targeted the following Lebanese localities:

- Khiam (Marjayoun district), Kounin, Yaroun, and Ainata (Bint Jbeil), as well as the Bastara farms in the vicinity of Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya).

Numerous artillery strikes have also targeted the following villages:

- Kfar Kila, Blida (Marjayoun), al-Majidiya, and the areas around Wadi Khensa, near Halta (Hasbaya).

According to Al-Jadeed, security forces arrested a man exhibiting "suspicious" behavior before the Israeli bombardment that targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday afternoon. The channel did not specify near which site the arrest took place.

The U.S. Embassy in Israel has ordered all U.S. government employees and their families in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza to shelter in place until further notice, according to a message posted on the mission's website.

The building targeted by the second strike that hit the southern suburbs of Beirut this afternoon is located just a few hundred meters from the Iranian embassy.

The Netherlands will repatriate its citizens from Lebanon, according to the Dutch news agency ANP, as reported by Reuters.

We must continue our efforts with the United States and our European allies to end the hostilities in Lebanon, said French Prime Minister Michel Barnier.

Preparations are underway, in coordination with about 20 countries, to evacuate foreign nationals from Lebanon via Turkey, announced the Turkish Foreign Ministry. It also stated that measures have been taken to evacuate Turkish citizens from Lebanon by air and sea.

Belgian citizens must leave Lebanon as soon as possible, says the Foreign Ministry, as reported by Reuters.

The strike on Brital (Baalback district) killed eight people, according to our correspondent in the area.

Latest developments in southern Lebanon:

- The sound barrier was broken twice over Saida around 4 p.m.

- The Israeli air force carried out a strike on a house in Khiam, in the Marjayoun district, and two other strikes in the area between Bint Jbeil, Kounine, and Ainata, our correspondent in South Lebanon reports.

- According to residents, a strike targeted a dispensary of the Islamic Health Committee (Hezbollah-affiliated) in Khiam.

- Israeli artillery targeted Kfar Kila, in the Marjayoun district.

- The Imam Mahdi Scouts Association announced the death of one of its members, Ismail Diab, who was killed in a strike on the village of Khirbet Silm, in the Bint Jbeil district, "while fulfilling his moral and ethical duty by serving his community and assisting the displaced."

Latest developments in southern Lebanon:

- The sound barrier was broken twice over Saida around 4 p.m.

- The Israeli air force carried out a strike on a house in Khiam, in the Marjayoun district, and two other strikes in the area between Bint Jbeil, Kounine, and Ainata, our correspondent in South Lebanon reports.

- According to residents, a strike targeted a dispensary of the Islamic Health Committee (Hezbollah-affiliated) in Khiam.

- Israeli artillery targeted Kfar Kila, in the Marjayoun district.

- The Imam Mahdi Scouts Association announced the death of one of its members, Ismail Diab, who was killed in a strike on the village of Khirbet Silm, in the Bint Jbeil district, "while fulfilling his moral and ethical duty by serving his community and assisting the displaced."

The U.S. military announced that it had deployed "three additional squadrons of aircraft" to the Middle East due to a potential imminent Iranian ballistic missile attack against Israeli territory.

"The United States is actively supporting preparations to defend Israel against this attack," said a senior White House official, adding that "a direct military attack by Iran on Israel would have serious consequences for Iran."

Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Tuesday that the United States had informed the Israeli army that they had detected signs indicating that Iran was preparing to launch a missile attack against Israel imminently.

Hagari emphasized that at this stage, the military had detected "no aerial threat" from Iran. "Iranian fire against the State of Israel will have consequences," he warned.

The Israeli air force has just carried out a strike in Brital (Baalbek district) and Ali al-Nahri (Zahle district), reports our correspondent in the region.

⚡ A second Israeli strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut targeted another apartment, located not far from the Kuwaiti embassy. According to images from Al-Jadeed, the building is close to the highway leading to Beirut's airport.

According to Reuters, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Israelis on Tuesday to "follow the security instructions" issued by the home front command, as the United States warned of the imminent threat of an "Iranian ballistic missile attack" against Israel.

The Dutch airline KLM has extended the suspension of its flights to Israel until the end of the year.

"Given the situation in the region, we have decided to extend the suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until the end of the year," said KLM spokesperson Elvira van der Vis.

The strike near Jnah. Photo sent by a resident to L'Orient Today.

⚡ According to local media, the strike targeted an apartment in a building near Al-Zahraa Hospital. The Al-Jadeed channel mentioned an assassination attempt. No details on casualties are available at this time.

The strike was claimed by the Israeli army, which stated that it had conducted a "precision strike in Beirut," according to its Arabic spokesperson Avichai Adraee.

⚡ A new Israeli strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, between Jnah and Ouzai, according to local media. Several explosions were heard in the capital.

⚡ The United States has information indicating that Iran is preparing to launch a ballistic missile attack on Israeli territory, according to the White House, as reported by Reuters.

"We will stand by our Lebanese brothers; we will support them by all possible means," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Tuesday.

These remarks follow an earlier statement by Turkish diplomacy, which called for an "end to the attacks" and the "immediate withdrawal" of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory. "Israel's violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity by launching a ground invasion is an illegal invasion maneuver," said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

An update on the latest developments regarding the ongoing Israeli bombardments since this morning in the Bekaa, according to information gathered by our correspondent in the region.

After 3 p.m., the Israeli air force carried out four new raids on several localities in the region: Ain Bourdai, a neighborhood located in the south of Baalbek; Saraain; Resm al-Hadath; and Shaath, in northern Bekaa.

Illustration by Jaimee Lee Haddad

In a video posted on X, the Israeli army said it had discovered a "Hezbollah tunnel inside a civilian house" located in the border village of Mais al-Jabal (Bint Jbeil district), while conducting ground incursions into Lebanese territory.

In this roughly 40-second excerpt, Israeli soldiers can be seen opening a box containing ammunition before rappelling into what appears to be an underground tunnel, illuminated with flashlights and a wheeled robot.

"We will present our findings on Hezbollah's attack plans to the international community," said Israeli army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari, as quoted by Reuters. "We will continue our operations tonight and complete them as soon as possible," he added.

China "is very concerned about the current situation between Lebanon and Israel amid the renewed escalation of regional tensions due to related military actions," reports AFP.

Beijing "opposes any violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and opposes any act that exacerbates conflicts and leads to further escalation in the regional situation," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Beijing urges Israel in this statement to "take steps to de-escalate the situation."

Hezbollah's Media Relations condemned an Israeli airstrike that reportedly targeted the building of a religious and cultural channel, called "Assirat," in the Southern suburbs of Beirut yesterday night.

According to the channel's website, Assirat offers a "variety of religious and social programs that target most age groups."

In its statement released today, Hezbollah expressed its full solidarity with the institution, its management and its employees.

"It a continuation of Israel's barbarism and aggression against all media institutions, starting with the targeting of journalists in Gaza and Lebanon since the beginning of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, without any deterrent and without any regard for international laws and conventions," the party said.

Hezbollah also called on all media organizations, trade unions and legal associations to condemn this "blatant Zionist aggression and expose the criminal practices committed by the Zionist enemy against media outlets and media professionals."

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) buried its three members who were killed at dawn on Monday by an Israeli strike in Beirut, in the Cola neighborhood. They were Mohammed Abdel Aal, a member of the political bureau and head of the PFLP's military and security department; Imad Audi, a member of the party's general central committee; and Abdel Rahman Abdel Aal, a PFLP military officer, our correspondent in North Lebanon, reports.

Carrying photos of the deceased and Palestinian flags, the funeral procession departed from Beirut's Makassed Hospital towards the Palestinian camp of Beddawi in Tripoli, where it moved through the camp's alleys, saluted by an honor guard, and greeted by a crowd of supporters and residents.

The procession then continued to the Nahr al-Bared camp, where a similar tribute was paid to the three deceased. After customary prayers, they were buried at the Khaled Bin Walid cemetery.

"Our operations in Lebanon will continue tonight," Israeli army spokesperson General Daniel Hagari was quoted as saying by Reuters. "We will complete the ground operation in Lebanon as soon as possible," he added.

"The army destroyed many Hezbollah tunnels during ground and air operations in villages in southern Lebanon," Daniel Hagari added. "We will present the conclusions of our plans to attack Hezbollah to the international community."

Between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., the Israeli air force struck the villages of Majdel Selm and Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun), L'Orient Today's correspondent reports.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for an attack at 1:40 p.m. on a group of Israeli soldiers in Metula, using artillery shells. The party also claimed responsibility for another attack at the same time on the village of Kfar Giladi in northern Israel, using salvos of Katyusha missiles.

The Lebanese army has not observed any Israeli ground incursion into Lebanese territory, where Israel says it has launched a "limited" offensive against Hezbollah in the south, a military source told AFP.

"We have not observed any incursion of enemy forces into Lebanese territory," the source said, after a similar observation by the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) deployed along the Blue Line which marks the border between Israel and Lebanon.

The Israeli air force launched strikes on two villages in the northern Bekaa, Bazzaliyeh and Laboueh , both in the Baalbeck district.

The Israeli army's Home Front Command has changed public safety guidelines in central Israel, according to Haaretz.

Under the new guidelines, "all educational activities are permitted only where shelter can be readily accessed, and gatherings are limited to 30 people in open spaces and up to 300 inside buildings. "

The affected areas are the Central District of Israel, the Carmel region, Wadi Ara, the Shomron Regional Council, the Hof Hasharon Regional Council, Jerusalem and the Shephelah region.

The United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said that "violence is reaching dangerous levels with strikes across Lebanon and incursions across the Blue Line," according to Reuters.

"This cycle of violence will not end well for anyone," she added.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said Israel struck a radar station and an airfield in the southern Syrian city of Deraa, according to Haaretz.

Russia calls on Israel to "immediately" withdraw its troops from Lebanon, according to AFP.

Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, asked the U.N. to establish an air corridor to deliver humanitarian aid to nearly a million people displaced by the Israeli airstrike campaign in several regions of the country, AFP reports.

Berri, according to a statement from his press office, called on the U.N. to "establish an air bridge that ensures the delivery of relief supplies." He also called on the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) and the Lebanese Red Cross to "fulfill their duty" by delivering food and medical supplies to the Lebanese in the south.

The Israeli military said that about 30 rockets were launched from Lebanon toward the Upper Galilee and Western Galilee in northern Israel in the past few hours, all of which fell in open areas, Haaretz reported, citing a statement.

The text added that in recent hours, Israeli army warplanes have attacked Hezbollah launch pads targeting Israel and weapons depots.

"None of us want to return to the years when Israel was mired in a quagmire in southern Lebanon," British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said, adding that the cost of a regional war in the Middle East would be "enormous," Reuters reported.

"None of us want a regional war. The price would be enormous for the Middle East and would have a significant effect on the global economy," he added.

The latest developments in south Lebanon between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.:

- Israeli aircraft and drones carried out strikes on Tireh (Bint Jbeil), Kfar Hamam and Kaoukaba (Hasbaya).

- Israeli artillery hit Aita al-Jabal and Tireh (Bint Jbeil).

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for an attack carried out at 11:45 a.m. against "a group of Israeli soldiers" on the positions of Ramtha and Sammaka, located in the disputed hills of Kfar Shouba, with Katyusha missiles.

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 31 people in Gaza today, local medics said, as fighting intensified and the Israeli military said it had targeted command centers used by Hamas, Reuters reported.

Palestinian health officials said at least 13 people, including women and children, were killed in two Israeli strikes on two homes in Nuseirat, one of eight refugee camps in the enclave. The Israeli military did not comment on the two strikes. Another strike on a school housing displaced Palestinian families in the Gaza neighborhood of Tuffah killed at least seven people, medics added.

Update on the situation in South Lebanon between 9 a.m. and 1p.m.:

- Israeli aircraft and drones launched airstrikes on the villages of Arab Salim, Jarjouh (Nabatieh), Shehabieh (Sour), Khiam, Kfar Kila (Marjayoun), Kherbet Selm (Bint Jbeil), Nabatieh al-Faouqa, and Yohmor (Nabatieh).

- At the same time, artillery shelled the localities of Khiam, Wadi Mariamine (Bint Jbeil), Taybeh, Deir Seriane and Kfar Kila (Marjayoun).

The Kremlin said it was "deeply concerned" by Israel's military activity in Lebanon and the recent reported strike in Damascus, Reuters reported.

"We jointly note that the geographical space of hostilities is expanding, which further destabilizes the region and increases tensions. These tensions are destructive for the region and the surrounding areas. We remain deeply concerned," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. He added that Moscow was "in constant contact" with Damascus.

"Lebanon is facing one of the most dangerous moments in its history and the government is working to ensure humanitarian aid to displaced civilians," caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati stressed during a meeting with U.N. organizations and ambassadors from donor countries.

At the end of this meeting, the U.N. agencies launched an appeal for more than 400 million dollars for urgent aid to the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

Read the full story here.

"All Zionist claims that the [Israeli] occupation forces have entered Lebanon are false," Hezbollah spokesperson Mohammad Afif Naboulsi told Al-Jazeera, adding that "there has not yet been a direct confrontation on the ground" between Hezbollah and Israel.

"The resistance fighters are ready for a direct confrontation with the enemy forces that would dare or attempt to enter Lebanese territory," he said. The spokesperson added that Hezbollah is "ready to inflict the greatest losses" on those who would attempt to enter Lebanon.

Finally, he commented on Hezbollah's targeting of Israeli army Unit 8200's base in the Tel Aviv suburbs earlier in the day, saying that this is "just the beginning."

After being notified by the Israeli army of its intention to conduct "limited" ground incursions into Lebanon, UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) announced in a statement its intention "to maintain its positions, despite the dangerous evolution of the situation."

"Peacekeepers remain in position. We regularly adjust our positions and activities, and have contingency plans ready to be activated in case of absolute necessity," the statement stressed, recalling that "all actors in the conflict have an obligation to respect the safety and security of peacekeepers."

" Any crossing into Lebanon constitutes a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as a violation of resolution 1701. We urge all actors to desist from such escalatory acts, which will only lead to further violence and bloodshed," the UNIFIL statement concluded.

Israel must "stop carrying out ground raids in southern Lebanon to avoid an escalation of the conflict that would engulf the region," Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Since February 2022, Spain has commanded the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and has deployed 650 troops along Lebanon's southern border with Israel.

"I am not well. The residents are not well. There is no longer any leader in the village, no longer a mayor. There are people who want to stay, in any case, I am staying with them. Help us, neither the Red Cross, nor the Lebanese army, nor UNIFIL are responding. We are totally abandoned," said Sister Maya Beaino, director of the Saint-Joseph College of the Sisters of the Holy Hearts, in Ain Ebel. "We do not want to leave the village because we know very well that the houses will be bombed. And if we leave the village, we know that we will never return."

"The Israeli army's announcement has created panic in the village. Nobody knows what to do. The road to Beirut is not safe, there have been lots of bombings. And we are surrounded by Shiite villages that we have to cross to get to Saida. It's total panic. We are trying to get the army, but for the moment we are abandoned. We don't understand why Ain Ebel is mentioned, when Hezbollah, or any other group, is not present there," an Ain Ebel resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told L'Orient Today.

The Israeli army ordered residents of 28 villages in south Lebanon to "evacuate their homes immediately" and head north of the Awali River to "save their lives." The river is much higher than the Litani, and its course closely follows the administrative boundary between the governorates of Mount Lebanon and South Lebanon. It also forms the natural boundary of the region known as South Lebanon.

"The defense forces do not want to harm you and for your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately. Anyone who is near Hezbollah agents, installations and means of war is putting their lives in danger. Any house used by Hezbollah for its military needs is likely to be targeted," said the statement published on X by the Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, warning residents not to head south.

The villages mentioned by the Israeli army: Yaroun, Ain Ebel, Maroun al-Ras, Tiri, Haddatha, Aita al-Jabal (al-Zat), Jmaïjmeh, Touline, Deir Aames, Burj Qalaweyh, Bayada, Zebqine, Jabal al- Botom, Serbine, Sheaitieh, Kneiseh, Hennieh Maarakeh, Ghandourieh, Deir Qanoun, Malkiyet Sahel, Burj al-Shemali, Ebel al-Saqi, Srifa, Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, Abbassieh, Rashidieh, Bint Jbeil and Aitaroun.

Hezbollah announced that "in the framework of the Khaybar series of operations, in response to the targeting of civilians and the massacres committed by the enemy, and with the call of Labayka, ya Nasrallah – We are at your service, Nasrallah," the party fired Fadi 4 missiles on the Israeli Glilot base of the 8200 military intelligence unit and the Mossad headquarters, located on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.

Citing the Magen David Adom emergency services, Haaretz reported that following the rocket barrage on central Israel, a 54-year-old man suffered head and body wounds from an interceptor shrapnel piece and is in a moderate state. Moreover, the municipality of the Israeli city of Kfar Saba said that shrapnel pieces from an interceptor missile fell in three locations in the city.

Any incursion into the territory is a "violation of Lebanese sovereignty," according to the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon.

Israel "has no intention of invading Lebanon" or staying there "for months," its ambassador to France said, while the Israeli army announced overnight that ground troops had crossed the border to fight Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, reports AFP.

"We have no intention of invading Lebanon at all. Of repeating the mistake that was made in 1982," when Israel invaded southern Lebanon, from where its troops did not leave until 2000, Ambassador Joshua Zarka told France Inter radio.

"I don't know if it's a matter of hours or days, but certainly not a matter of months," continued the Israeli diplomat, when asked about the duration of this military intervention.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant briefed his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin on Israel's "raids" in Lebanon, Gallant's office was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"The minister discussed the localized and targeted raids that the Israeli army launched overnight against Hezbollah terrorist targets in the southern Lebanese border area," he said. "These ground operations build on recent and ongoing measures aimed at eliminating Hezbollah's senior leaders and weakening Hezbollah's offensive capabilities."

The "raids" carried out by Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, which began overnight, "were limited and only crossed a short distance" across the border, an Israeli security official said on Tuesday, adding that "no direct clashes with Hezbollah fighters were reported," Reuters reports.

The official said a broader operation targeting the Lebanese capital, Beirut, which has already been hit by airstrikes several times in recent days, was "not on the agenda."

The Israeli air force carried out strikes on the village of Khiam (Marjayoun), according to L'Orient Today's correspondent in the south.

Residents said that Father Gregorios Salloum, a priest of the Greek Orthodox parish of Ibl al-Saki (Marjayoun), was injured and taken to a hospital in Beirut for treatment after an Israeli airstrike targeted the village the day before.

U.N. agencies appealed for more than $400 million for urgent aid to hundreds of thousands displaced by Israeli strikes in Lebanon, according to a statement following a meeting with the prime minister in Beirut, AFP reports.

"Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon Imran Reza have launched an emergency appeal for $426 million to mobilize urgent resources for civilians affected by the escalation of the conflict that has led to a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon," the statement said.

The European Union's foreign affairs representative, Josep Borrell, called on Monday for opening the door to a diplomatic solution, for an immediate cease-fire, for the deployment of the Lebanese armed forces, for the election of a president in Lebanon, for the formation of a government and to ensure that resolution 1701 [of the UN Security Council] is fully implemented, the EU reported in a statement.

In a statement after an extraordinary meeting with EU foreign ministers in Mexico, he denounced the massive Israeli strikes on Beirut as a violation of the sovereignty of an independent country.

"Israel has the right to defend itself, but within the limits of international humanitarian law," he said.

"The guns must now fall silent and the voice of diplomacy must be heard and heard by all. Hezbollah's rocket and other projectile attacks on Israeli territory since October 8 must stop. The sovereignty of Israel and Lebanon must be guaranteed," Borrell added, calling on the parties in the region to "exercise restraint in the interest of de-escalation."

"The state must have the capacity to hold a monopoly on the use of violence, which is very far from what is currently happening in Lebanon. The Lebanese armed forces, which are at the heart of Lebanese society and state, must continue to play an essential role. For this, they need our support," the European diplomat also stressed.

Hezbollah announced that it fired rockets at a group of Israeli soldiers near the village of Rosh Pinna in the Upper Galilee at 10 a.m.

The Shiite party also said it fired Falaq 2 rockets at a troop of Israeli soldiers in the Doviv barracks, opposite the Lebanese village of Yaroun, at 10:30 a.m.

A French helicopter carrier will arrive in the eastern Mediterranean in the next five to six days and will position itself in case a decision is taken to evacuate foreign nationals from Lebanon, a French military spokesman was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Western nations are considering several options for safely evacuating their citizens from Lebanon in the event of a full-scale war, with Cyprus and possibly Turkey seen as safe havens for tens of thousands of people.

France, which has about 20,000 citizens in Lebanon, sent its helicopter carrier Dixmude from the naval port of Toulon to the region on Monday, the French military spokesperson said.

Swiss airline announced that it is extending the suspension of its flights to Beirut and Tel Aviv, while Israel is now conducting a "land and air military operation" in Lebanon, reports AFP.

Swiss has decided to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv until Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 inclusive and all flights to and from Beirut will be canceled until Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 inclusive, the airline said in a statement.

Air raid sirens sounded in central Israel this morning, the army said, after reporting that projectiles had been fired from Lebanon.

"Sirens sounded in central Israel following projectiles fired from Lebanon," the army said in a statement. In Tel Aviv, an AFP journalist heard explosions in the distance, which could be interceptions of projectiles by the Israeli anti-missile shield.

German airline Lufthansa announced that it will extend the suspension of its flights to Beirut until Nov. 30 instead of the originally planned Oct. 26 as the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel intensifies in Lebanon, AFP reports.

The airline group also decided to extend the suspension of its flights to Tel Aviv until Oct. 31, according to a statement.

The road is blocked at the Beirut Arab University towards Cola, where an apartment was destroyed by a targeted Israeli strike on the night of Sunday to Monday , reports the NNA (National News Agency). This is due to "an unexploded missile, which was found" at the site.

The Lebanese army denied information circulating in the media about "its withdrawal from border positions" in the south, in a statement published on its website and relayed on X.

"Units deployed in the south are repositioning some advanced surveillance posts," the army said. "The command is continuing its cooperation and coordination with UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon)."

"Ground raids are targeting Hezbollah strongholds along the border, "Israeli army spokesperson General David Hagari was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"Our war is with Hezbollah, not Lebanon ... Hezbollah has turned Lebanese villages into bases ready to attack Israel," he added. "We will not allow another attack similar to Oct. 7 on any of our borders."

The military spokesperson for Yemen's Houthis said in a statement that the group targeted Israeli military posts in Tel Aviv and Eilat with "Jaffa" and "Samad 4" drones, adding that both operations achieved their objectives.

"The drones of the Yemeni armed forces targeted a military objective of the Israeli enemy in the occupied area of ​​Jaffa (Tel Aviv neighborhood) with a Jaffa drone, as well as military objectives in the area of ​​Umm al-Rashrash-Eilat with four Samad 4 drones," said the statement published on Telegram.

The military spokesperson for Yemen's Houthis said in a statement that the group targeted Israeli military posts in Tel Aviv and Eilat with "Jaffa" and "Samad 4" drones, adding that both operations achieved their objectives.

"The drones of the Yemeni armed forces targeted a military objective of the Israeli enemy in the occupied area of ​​Jaffa (Tel Aviv neighborhood) with a Jaffa drone, as well as military objectives in the area of ​​Umm al-Rashrash-Eilat with four Samad 4 drones," said the statement published on Telegram.

A ship was hit this morning by a drone off the coast of Yemen, where Houthi rebels have been carrying out attacks on merchant shipping for months, the U.K. Maritime Safety Agency (UKMTO) said .

"A ship was hit by a drone. The port ballast tank number 6 was punctured," it reported.

Israeli aircraft bombed and destroyed an unoccupied house in Arze (Saida) this morning at 7:30 a.m., L'Orient Today's correspondent in south Lebanon reported, citing residents.

Recently, the air force also launched strikes on the town of Bint Jbeil.

Update on the Israeli strikes in south Lebanon between 1 a.m. and 9 a.m. this morning:

Israeli aircraft and drones targeted the villages of Yohmor al-Shkif, Kfar Tebnit (Nabatieh), Majdal Selm, Touline (Marjayoun), Baraasheet, Shakra, Haddatha, Bint Jbeil, Sultanieh, Jmaijmeh, Maroun al -Ras, Tireh, Ainata (Bint Jbeil) and Aïn al-Hilweh (Saida).

Hezbollah announced in a statement that it targeted with artillery a group of Israeli soldiers in the town of Avivim, in northern Israel, opposite the Lebanese village of Maroun al-Ras.

The Israeli army issued "an urgent warning to the residents of south Lebanon," in a post published by its Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee on X. It ordered them "not to travel from the north to the south of the Litani" and indicated that "heavy fighting" has been taking place between the army and Hezbollah since last night.

According to the Israeli army, it was the 98th Division that began "targeted and specific activities" in south Lebanon.

"The forces of the 98th, including commandos, paratroopers and armored troops of Brigade 7, have been preparing in recent weeks for a ground operation in southern Lebanon, which began on Monday evening," the Israeli army's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, reported on X.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, announced the death of one of its fighters, Hassan Makdah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Halweh last night.

He was the son of Mounir Makdah, head of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

Several sources told L'Orient Today's correspondent in south Lebanon that "there was no invasion by the Israeli army." Hezbollah said that it was monitoring "troop gatherings and movements" on the border.

The Israeli army announced during the night the beginning of its invasion of south Lebanon, indicating that it was "targeting villages on the border."

The Israeli Air Force said it carried out "precision strikes on Hezbollah weapons production sites" and other military infrastructure in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday evening and overnight, Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee told X.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility in the morning for two strikes, first artillery and then missiles, on Israeli soldiers near Metula, a town located at the top of the so-called "Finger of Galilee," surrounded by the border. According to the Israeli army, the alert sirens were activated in this village and "five projectiles were detected coming from Lebanon." "Some of the projectiles fired were intercepted and others fell in the area."

Metula and the neighboring villages of Kfar Giladi and Misgav Am were declared a "closed military zone" by the Israeli army yesterday.

The United Arab Emirates reaffirmed in a statement from its foreign ministry quoted by Reuters its "unwavering" position on "the territorial integrity, sovereignty and unity of Lebanon."

Last night saw sustained artillery fire on Kfar Kila, Tel Nahas and the plain and surroundings of Khiam. These villages are located opposite the Israeli villages of Metula, Kfar Giladi and Misgav Am, declared "closed military zones" by the Israeli army shortly before the announcement of its land incursion into South Lebanon.

Machine guns were also fired from Metula.

At the same time, aerial bombardments targeted Deir Mimas, Kfar Kila (Marjayoun), Blida, Kounine, Tiri, Bint Jbeil and Ainata (Bint Jbeil) before midnight. 

The death toll from the targeted strike that targeted the head of the military branch of Fatah in Lebanon, Mounir Maqdah, in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Helweh, near Saida, has risen, according to medical sources in the camp cited by L'Orient Today's correspondent in the south.

This unprecedented airstrike on the largest Palestinian camp in Lebanon killed six people, including three children:

- Hassan Maqdah (Mounir Maqdah's son) and his wife. Their two children were found alive under the rubble.

- Israa Abbas, a Palestinian, and her son Abderrahim Sayah.

- Two other girls: Abir and Fatima Chehadé.

The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations Agency (UKMTO) said it had received a report of an incident 64 nautical miles northwest of Hodeida in Yemen, adding that authorities were investigating, according to Reuters.

Between 3 and 4 a.m., the Israeli army announced that its air force intercepted "a drone over the Mediterranean, a few dozen kilometers west of the coast of Israel," in the center of the country.

This is the second time since yesterday morning that the Israeli army says it has intercepted a drone over the Mediterranean. So far, no drone strike has been claimed by Hezbollah.

Washington warned Iran of "serious consequences" from a possible attack on Israel, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, quoted by AFP.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the Pentagon said.

"They agreed on the need to dismantle attack infrastructure along the border to ensure that Hezbollah cannot carry out Oct. 7-style attacks against communities in northern Israel," he said in a statement.

Austin reiterated that a diplomatic resolution was needed to ensure civilians could safely return to their homes on both sides of the border, the Pentagon reported, according to Reuters.

Last night saw a series of violent Israeli operations against Lebanon and Syria, including a series of massive strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, a targeted airstrike on the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Helweh targeting (and missing) the leader of Fatah's armed wing in the country, bombings on Damascus and Israel's announcement of a 'limited' ground operation in south Lebanon. 

Make sure to read the Morning Brief so you are caught up with what has been happening.

Israel begins 'limited' ground operations in south Lebanon: A special war edition on everything you need to know to start your Tuesday

Israel begins 'limited' ground operations in south Lebanon: A special war edition on everything you need to know to start your Tuesday

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