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People fleeing Israeli bombardment in Lebanon, walk around a crater caused by an Israeli strike, in the area of Masnaa on the Lebanese side of the border crossing with Syria, on Oct. 4, 2024. (Credit: Hassan Jarrah/AFP)

Live GAZA AND LEBANON WARS

Iran will target Israeli energy facilities if attacked, says senior Iranian official: Day 364 of the war

What you need to know

On Thursday night, the southern suburbs of Beirut endured another wave of Israeli airstrikes.

One particularly violent bombardment reportedly targeted Hachem Safieddine, the head of Hezbollah's Executive Council and a likely successor to Hassan Nasrallah.

Israeli aggression has killed 1,974 people, including 127 children and 261 women, and injured 9,384 others, reported the Lebanese Health Minister yesterday. 


21:56 Beirut Time

Thank you for following our live coverage of this latest day of escalating conflict between Hezbollah and the Israeli army.

We will continue our coverage of the war in Gaza and its repercussions in the region, and especially in Lebanon, from tomorrow morning.

21:49 Beirut Time

U.S. President Joe Biden said Israel should "consider other options" than striking oil sites in Iran, after acknowledging the previous day that this possibility was "under discussion."


"If I were in their place, I would consider other options than striking oil fields" in Iran, he said during a press briefing at the White House.


Biden also said he was trying to "mobilize the rest of the world" to achieve peace in the Middle East.


"We are doing many things. The most important thing we can do is to try to mobilize the rest of the world and our allies" to help ease tensions between Israel and Iran and its regional partners, he said to the press at the White House.

21:48 Beirut Time

An Israeli raid targeted the town of Jamalieh in Baalbek, according to our correspondent.

21:21 Beirut Time

Israeli raids targeted the area between Bodai and Eiat in the Bekaa, as well as Tamnine al-Tahta, Sarain (Baalbeck), Nabi Sheet, Ali al-Nahri and the outskirts of Baalbeck.

21:20 Beirut Time

Israeli artillery fire continues to target the villages of Odaisseh, Kfar Kila and Khiam (Marjayoun).

21:09 Beirut Time

Here are the latest developments in southern Lebanon:

- An Israeli airstrike targeting an ambulance belonging to Hezbollah's Islamic Health Committee in Majdel Zoun resulted in one killed and five injuries, according to our correspondent.


- Heavy Israeli strikes targeted the village of Kfar Kila (Marjayoun).


- Two Israeli air raids hit Mansouri and Kfar Dounine (Bint Jbeil), causing injuries in the former village.


- Israeli fighter jets attacked homes in Khiam (Marjayoun).


- Israeli artillery fire targeted the area around Salah Ghandour Hospital, leading to the transfer of injured medical staff to other hospitals by the Civil Defense.

21:00 Beirut Time

Commenting on the Israeli attacks against Hezbollah's Islamic Health Committee paramedics, the Arabic spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, stated that "in recent days, Hezbollah members are increasingly using rescue vehicles to transport weapons."


He warned that "any vehicle used by armed Hezbollah members for terrorist purposes, regardless of its type, will be subject to appropriate measures to prevent its use for military purposes."

21:00 Beirut Time

Hezbollah claimed to have confronted Israeli soldiers at 4:30 p.m. as they attempted to infiltrate the village of Yaroun (Bint Jbeil). It also targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the locality of Yir'on, located a few kilometers from the border, at 7:15 p.m.

19:43 Beirut Time

Hezbollah has confirmed the killing of 11 paramedics from its Health Committee in Israeli strikes in Marjayoun, Shaqra and Khirbet Slim today.

19:41 Beirut Time

Hezbollah claimed to have targeted Israeli soldiers around the Avivim settlement, facing the Lebanese village Maroun al-Ras (Bint Jbeil), with a large missile salvo at 6:15 p.m. It also claimed responsibility for targeting the Qatsrin base in the Golan Heights with a missile salvo at the same time.


Hezbollah also said it targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in Kfar Giladi, opposite the Lebanese village of Kfar Kila (Marjayoun) with a missile salvo at 6:20 p.m. It also said it targeted the Hazor settlement, facing the Lebanese village of Yaroun (Bint Jbeil), with a missile salvo at 6:20 p.m.

19:09 Beirut Time

Israeli fighter jets broke the sound barrier over Beirut, southern Lebanon and Mount Lebanon. Two loud bangs were heard, according to local residents.

19:05 Beirut Time

Hezbollah claimed to have targeted Israeli soldiers in Maroun al-Ras plain (Bint Jbeil) with a large missile salvo.

18:55 Beirut Time

Hezbollah claimed to have targeted the Nafah base at 5:50 p.m. It also claimed responsibility for an attack at 6:05 p.m. on a gathering of Israeli soldiers near the Baghdadi site, opposite Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun).

18:54 Beirut Time

Police mobilization will be stepped up in Germany, particularly in Berlin, for the commemorations of the Hamas attack on Israel, German authorities announced Friday, citing fears of increased anti-Semitic violence.


According to the head of Germany's domestic intelligence, this anniversary could be a "triggering event" for unrest "across large segments of the protest spectrum."


Anti-Semitism and hostility toward Israel are a "connecting element" between Islamist groups, pro-Palestinian extremists, and other radical far-right and far-left groups, warned Thomas Haldenwang.


In parallel with the Oct. 7 attack commemorations, several pro-Palestinian demonstrations are being organized in major German cities starting this weekend.

18:53 Beirut Time

U.S. strikes have targeted three towns in Yemen controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, Al-Massirah television reported, without giving further details.


According to Al-Massirah, the targets were the capital Sanaa and the western city of Hodeida, where AFP correspondents heard explosions, as well as Dhamar (south of Sanaa).

18:21 Beirut Time

A violent Israeli air strike a few minutes ago targeted the junction of the villages of Maarakeh and Barish, northeast of Sour.

18:20 Beirut Time

The Israeli army announced that two of its soldiers had been killed by a drone strike “coming from the east,” launched from Iraq and which hit a military base in the Golan Heights, according to Israeli military radio.


Contacted by AFP, the army said the two soldiers had been killed by a drone strike fired from the east, without specifying from which country. According to the military radio station, two drones “were launched from Iraq and entered Israeli territory via the Golan Heights” in Syria, annexed and occupied by Israel. In addition to the two soldiers killed, 24 were wounded, according to military radio.

18:10 Beirut Time

Here are the latest developments in southern Lebanon:

- Israeli warplanes targeted a house in Khiam (Marjayoun), according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.


- Rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Israeli positions, our correspondent reports. According to Haaretz, alarm sirens sounded in several communities in northern Israel.

18:08 Beirut Time

The French foreign minister will fly today to the Middle East and will be in Israel on Monday for the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 last year, AFP learned from his entourage.


According to this source, Jean-Noël Barrot will visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Saturday, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan on Sunday, then Tel Aviv and Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Monday, where he is expected to attend celebrations in Israel to commemorate the Oct. 7 attack.


The minister had already visited Beirut, urging Israel to "refrain from any ground incursion into Lebanon" and calling on the warring parties to "seize" the international cease-fire proposal launched last week at the U.N.

18:07 Beirut Time

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of "brazenly defying" U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, whom Israel declared "persona non grata" for not immediately condemning Iran's strikes on Tuesday.


"Israel is brazenly defying the U.N. secretary-general," said the Turkish president during a speech in Adana, southern Turkey. "Probably 196 countries in the world will support the U.N. secretary-general. Who are you to issue a decree against the U.N. secretary-general?" he added.

18:06 Beirut Time

Migrant workers who are working as domestic workers in Lebanon, mainly women, have been locked inside homes by their employers who fled Israeli airstrikes, the U.N. migration agency said on Friday in Geneva.


"We have seen in the south (of Lebanon) that employers were fleeing but leaving their domestic workers on the street, without taking them along, or worse, locking them in the house to ensure it is guarded while they seek safety elsewhere," said Mathieu Luciano, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) office in Lebanon.


Others, who often do not speak Arabic, are left abandoned on the streets, he added during a press briefing in Geneva via video link from Beirut.

18:05 Beirut Time

The Italian embassy has announced a 17 million euro aid package to support the civilian population affected by Lebanon's ongoing humanitarian crisis. Approved by Deputy Minister Edmondo Cirielli on Oct. 2, the embassy says the funding will target emergency initiatives to assist displaced civilians. The resources will be allocated to Italian Civil Society Organizations working in Lebanon, the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund managed by OCHA and the UNHCR.


This decision follows Italy’s response to the U.N.'s "Lebanon Flash Appeal," made in coordination with the Lebanese government. Last week, a humanitarian flight organized by Italy’s Ministry of Defense delivered medical and food supplies to Beirut, the statement also said.

17:53 Beirut Time

Hezbollah said it attacked an Israeli army position at 2:25 p.m. in the town of Karmiel, in northern Israel.


It also carried out a second attack at the same time against an Israeli army force "advancing towards Bayader al-Adas, west of Yaroun (Bint Jbeil)," as well as a strike in the town of Doviv, opposite the Lebanese village of Yaroun.

17:53 Beirut Time

Two rescue workers were killed in a strike targeting a Hezbollah Health Committee ambulance in Tebnine (Bint Jbeil), according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

17:53 Beirut Time

Four hospitals in southern Lebanon are currently out of service: Salah Ghandour Hospital, Marjayoun Governmental Hospital, Mais al-Jabal Hospital and Bint Jbeil Hospital, our correspondent reports.


A drone struck an area near the Tebnine Governmental Hospital (Bint Jbeil), injuring several people.

17:22 Beirut Time

A fire broke out in a forest on Mount Gamel, near the town of Tal-El in northern Israel, following rocket fire from Lebanon, according to Haaretz. Seven fire departments are on the scene, trying to bring the blaze under control.


Another fire broke out near the village of Shlomi, in northern Israel. Fire crews are on the scene.

16:49 Beirut Time

Israel has reportedly launched 85 missiles near the Lebanese University campus in Hadath, near Beirut's southern suburbs, according to information reported by the Hezbollah channel Al-Manar, which quoted Israeli army radio.

16:37 Beirut Time

The Israeli army has claimed to have killed 250 Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon since the ground offensive began on Monday.


A total of “250 Hezbollah terrorists, including 21 commanders, were eliminated in four days of operations (...) in southern Lebanon,” the army said in a statement.

16:34 Beirut Time

- An Israeli airstrike hit the town of Ain al-Hara al-Shamalieh in the Bekaa.

- An Israeli airstrike targeted the town of Zawtar al-Sahrkieh, Nabatieh.


- Three Israeli airstrikes targeted the outskirts of Hermel city.


- Israeli incendiary shells targeted the outskirts of Burj al-Muluk, Nabatieh.

16:33 Beirut Time

- An Israeli airstrike hit the town of Ain al-Hara al-Shamalieh in the Bekaa.

- An Israeli airstrike targeted the town of Zawtar al-Sahrkieh, Nabatieh.


- Three Israeli airstrikes targeted the outskirts of Hermel city.


- Israeli incendiary shells targeted the outskirts of Burj al-Muluk, Nabatieh.

16:26 Beirut Time

Humanitarian aid must “absolutely” reach Gaza, where “life is no longer possible,” in quantities and at a pace “commensurate with the emergency,” pleaded the president of Médecins sans Frontières France on Friday.


Since the start of the war, “it has been said over and over again that the Gaza Strip has become uninhabitable, but it has become unlivable,” Isabelle Defourny, who has just returned from a mission to Gaza in the Israeli-dubbed humanitarian zone of al-Mawassi (south), told AFP from Paris.

16:24 Beirut Time

Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Ali Fadavi said Tehran was ready to “strike energy and gas infrastructure” in Israel, in retaliation for any Israeli attack in Iran, according to the Iranian news agency SNN. 

15:33 Beirut Time

⚡ A new Israeli airstrike targeted an area in the southern suburbs of Beirut, near a football field (al-Raya).

15:33 Beirut Time

In southern Lebanon, another strike targeted a center of the Islamic Health Committee, a Hezbollah-affiliated rescue group, in Bir al-Sanassel, in the Bint Jbeil district.


Meanwhile, the Mais al-Jabal Governmental Hospital (Marjayoun district) announced its closure due to difficulty in staff access, lack of medical supplies, and electricity and water cuts. The hospital administration condemned attacks on health centers and called on the international community to respond to Israeli aggression.

15:32 Beirut Time

Here are the latest developments in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent:

Between 1 and 2 p.m., the localities of Yaroun, Toul, Aita al-Shaab, Kfarsir, Kawthariyet al-Siyad and Ghassanieh were bombed by Israeli aircraft in South Lebanon.


A raid hit the village of Zebqine, south of the city of Sour.


In the Bekaa Valley, an Israeli raid targeted the village of Taraya (Baalbek-Hermel) shortly after 2 p.m., cutting off the road connecting the locality to its northern neighborhoods, according to our correspondent. The strike hit a building housing shops, injuring six residents.

15:30 Beirut Time

According to the National News Agency, the strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut targeted "several buildings" in the neighborhood near the Lebanese University in Hadath.

15:30 Beirut Time

Hezbollah announced in three statements that it had targeted several positions in northern Israel. Around 1:45 p.m., the group said it had launched a salvo of rockets at the Karmiel area (central Galilee in northern Israel), east of Acre, about 20 kilometers from the border, at 1 a.m. between Thursday night and Friday.


Shortly after 2 p.m., it released a statement announcing it had targeted, at 9 a.m., a gathering of Israeli soldiers and vehicles in the border region of Sasa with a "heavy" Bourkan-type missile. It also targeted, at 12:20 p.m., military gatherings in the Kiryat Shmona area, also close to the Blue Line.

14:47 Beirut Time

According to initial reports in the local media, the strikes targeted the Hadath district, near the Lebanese University.


No evacuation notice had been issued beforehand by the Israeli army.

14:41 Beirut Time

🔴 Two new Israeli strikes targeted Beirut's southern suburbs, loud explosions were heard miles from Beirut.

14:31 Beirut Time

The Gaza Health Ministry announced a new death toll of 41,802 in Gaza since the start of the war with Israel almost a year ago.


At least 14 people have been killed in the last 24 hours, it said in a statement, adding that 96,844 people had been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023.

14:29 Beirut Time

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has intensified his diplomatic efforts, urging them to pressure Israel to cease its attacks on rescue workers heading to sites targeted by its air force in order to transport the wounded and recover victims.


In a press release from the Serail, Mikati "condemned these aggressions by the Israeli enemy, which are in violation of international law and humanitarian regulations."


A report by caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad today stated that the Israeli attacks have resulted in 97 deaths and 188 injuries among various rescue organizations, damaging 45 facilities and 128 vehicles.

14:23 Beirut Time

The Israeli army claimed that it killed Hezbollah's "communications systems commander," Mohammad Rachid Skafi, in a strike on "the Beirut region."


In a statement published on X, the army's Arabic-speaking spokesman, Avichay Adraee, emphasized that Skafi "had been in charge of Hezbollah's communications systems since 2000." "He was close to the party's leaders and had extensive experience and authority within the group." According to the Israeli army, he was responsible for "developing continuous communications between Hezbollah's systems and units," in both emergency and non-emergency situations, to "maintain the continuity of information transfers" within Hezbollah.


Adraee did not specify in which strike Skafi was killed, although southern Beirut's suburbs have been targeted dozens of times, primarily at night, over the past week.

14:21 Beirut Time

The Israeli army claimed it struck an underground tunnel that runs under the Lebanese border with Syria yesterday, Reuters reported.

14:17 Beirut Time

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beirut this morning and was received at the Grand Serail by caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.


During the meeting, he expressed his country’s concern for Lebanon and its commitment to supporting the nation in the face of Israeli aggression, according to the official National News Agency (NNA). This visit marks the first tour by an Iranian official in Lebanon since the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Sept. 27.

14:14 Beirut Time

More updates on Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon


- The Israeli strike on Deir Qanoun el-Nahr (Sour), killed one person and injured another. According to our correspondent, the person killed, Mujtaba Hussein Hariri, is a combatant


- At around 1:15 p.m., the villages of Yarish and Maarakah, in the Sour district, were targeted by Israeli aircraft.

14:11 Beirut Time

Here’s a list of Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon since the last recorded update up to 1 p.m.:


In the Sour district, Israeli strikes targeted:

- Deir Qanoun al-Nahr

- Bourghoulieh

- Bourj Rahal 

- Tayr Debba 

- Burj Shemali


In the Bint Jbeil disrict, attacks targeted:

- Kafra

- Aita al-Shaab 

- Yaroun 


Israeli strikes also targeted Shoukine, in the Nabatieh district, and in the Saida district, they targeted al-Ghassanieh and Adloun.

13:36 Beirut Time

The Israeli army has published a series of photos and videos of its alleged ground "operations" in southern Lebanon.


In a post on X, the army's Arabic-speaking spokesman, Avichay Adraee, claimed that the military had "discovered dozens of combat equipment items abandoned" by Hezbollah fighters.

"Over the past few days, forces from the 188th Armored Brigade have been engaged in ground battles in southern Lebanon, carrying out raids on terrorist compounds hidden within villages," he wrote. He added that during these operations, "saboteurs were eliminated in clashes or air strikes." Among the equipment allegedly found by the Israeli army: ammunition, rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles, and projectiles. Videos accompanying the message show soldiers driving through the damaged streets of a village and entering homes.


L'Orient Today has not yet been able to verify where or when these images were filmed.

13:32 Beirut Time

Hezbollah has announced 7 operations since the morning, the latest 6: 


- It targeted a Merkava tank near the Malkiya site with a "guided missile," setting it on fire and "killing and injuring" those in it. 


-  Its fighters launched missiles and "directly hit" an Israeli artillery emplacement south of Kiryat Shmouna.


- It launched salvo of missiles at Ilyana base. Later at 8:20, it launched another salvo of missiles at Safad


- It targeted "a patrol of Israeli soldiers and military vehicles" in the plain of Maroun al-Ras, inside Lebanese territory, with artillery fire, "inflicting confirmed casualties" among them.  


- It targeted and "directly hit" Rowaissat al-Alam site on the occupied Kfar Shuba heights, using artillery shells. 

12:40 Beirut Time

In the Bekaa, Israeli airstrikes resumed, after a relative calm in the morning, targeting the Janta heights, east of Baalbeck, as well as Taraya.

12:39 Beirut Time

Here are the latest updates from South Lebanon:


- An Israeli drone fired a missile near the Saleh Ghandour hospital in Bint Jbeil.


- The Israeli strike on an ambulance near Marjayoun hospital left at least seven people dead, according to the media officer of the Islamic Health Committee.


- An Israeli airstrike on a road in Shoukine injured three people.


- An Israeli airstrike on Khiam killed two people.


- Four Israeli strikes targeted the area around a mosque located between Zebdine and Mayfdoun, in the Nabatieh district.

12:34 Beirut Time

Khamenei: Israel "doesn't have much longer."

12:34 Beirut Time

Khamenei: Israel "doesn't have much longer."

12:34 Beirut Time

Khamenei: Israel "doesn't have much longer."

12:34 Beirut Time

Khamenei: Hezbollah's fight is a "vital service to the whole region."

12:33 Beirut Time

Khamenei: Resistance in the region will not back down.

12:33 Beirut Time

Khamenei to Lebanese and Palestinian fighters: Bloodshed must not weaken your strength

12:33 Beirut Time

Khamenei: Israel will never win over Hezbollah and Hamas.

12:32 Beirut Time

Khamenei: The United States' focus on preserving Israel's security is a cover for its policy of monopolizing the region's resources.

12:31 Beirut Time

Khamenei: Israel's recent behavior has increased the anger of the resistance and strengthened its motivation.

12:31 Beirut Time

Khamenei: Israel claims to be victorious, perpetuating assassinations and killing civilians.

12:31 Beirut Time

Khamenei: We will neither delay nor hasten our response to Israel.

12:30 Beirut Time

In his speech, Iran's Supreme Leader described the Tuesday missile attack on Israel as "totally legitimate," and added that the Hamas missile attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 is also legitimate.

12:29 Beirut Time

Khamenei: All countries have the right to defend themselves against aggressors.

12:28 Beirut Time

Khamenei at Nasrallah memorial ceremony: Muslim nations have a common enemy. They must unite to defend themselves against this enemy, from Afghanistan to Yemen, and from Iran to Gaza and Lebanon.

12:27 Beirut Time

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated a week ago in an Israeli strike, has been buried "provisionally" in an undisclosed location due to concerns that his funeral could be targeted by Israel, a source close to Hezbollah told AFP on Friday.

"Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was buried in a provisional location, pending circumstances that would allow for a public funeral," said the source, who requested anonymity.

12:26 Beirut Time

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is speaking with a rifle at his side.  

12:22 Beirut Time

A memorial ceremony in memory of Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, assassinated exactly one week ago by Israel in the southern suburbs of Beirut, began in Tehran, in the presence of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the official Iranian agency Tasnim reported. Khamenei is speaking at the ceremony.

11:39 Beirut Time

Caretaker Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib met in Washington with Barbara Leaf, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, to discuss the possibility of a cease-fire in Lebanon.

According to the official National News Agency (NNA), Leaf emphasized "the importance of electing a President of the Republic as soon as possible, especially given the circumstances Lebanon is facing."

11:11 Beirut Time

Medical equipment and medicine aid arrive at Beirut international airport on Oct. 4, 2024. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)

A shipment of medical equipment and medicines donated by the World Health Organization and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees arrived at Beirut international airport this morning. Caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad was present to receive the shipment.

11:10 Beirut Time

An Israeli drone killed at least two, when it fired a missile at an ambulance belonging to the Islamic Health Committee (IHC), affiliated with Hezbollah, outside the government hospital in Marjayoun, according to our correspondent in the south. 


The IHC has faced multiple attacks in recent days, including an unprecedented strike on one of its centers in Bashoura, central Beirut, which killed nine people, including seven rescue workers.

11:08 Beirut Time

An Iranian plane carrying Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived at Beirut International Airport at 9:30 a.m. (local time). He is the first Iranian diplomat to visit Lebanon since the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah on Sept. 27 and the second senior foreign official, after French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, to visit since the escalation of war on Sept. 23.

11:06 Beirut Time

Here's the latest update from South Lebanon, according to our correspondent and local security sources:


- An Israeli drone targeted the outskirts of Rmeish (Bint Jbeil). Milad al-Alam, the president of the municipality of this Christian village, told L'Orient Today that this is the first time the locality has been struck since Oct. 8, 2023. He reported that the strike caused no casualties.


- Israeli artillery fire shelled Majdal Zoun, Shihine, Jibbein, and Naqoura in the Sour district, as well as Aita al-Shaab in the Bint Jbeil district.


- An Israeli airstrike bombarded the outskirts of Baassarieh, located in the Saida district.


- Israeli warplanes targeted the valley between the towns of Ain Qana and Sarba in Iqlim al-Tuffah, in the Nabatieh district.

11:00 Beirut Time

Hezbollah informed our publication that it "does not yet have any information" on the fate of Hashem Safieddine, the head of the party's Executive Council, who is expected to succeed Hassan Nasrallah following the violent Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs.

The bombing, one of the most intense raids since Israel intensified its campaign in the country on Sept. 23, reportedly targeted "a meeting of senior Hezbollah leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah's presumed successor," according to three Israeli officials who spoke anonymously to The New York Times.

10:58 Beirut Time

At around 9:15 a.m., the Israeli army issued new evacuation notices to residents of 35 localities in southern Lebanon, primarily around the Sour district.


The statement read: "You must immediately evacuate your homes and head north to the Awali River," located north of Saida. The affected villages include: Aadlissiyat al-Qoussair, Ain Baal, Arzoun, Bafliyeh, Bayyad, Bastit, Burj Rahal, Qasmieh refugee camp, Shabrikha, Shahour, Shmlaieh, Deir Mimas, Deir Siryan (in the Marjayoun district), Dhour Barriyat Jaber, Dounin, El-Bass, Bourghoulieh, Bazourieh, Smaaieh, Soultanieh, Hannieh, Jabal al-Adass, Jabal al-Botm, Maashouq, Majdal Selm, Mazraat Shdaeet, Nabi Qassem, Qlayaa, Rashidieh, Sarbine, Tamriyeh, Touleh, Tayr Debba, and Zqouq al-Moufideh."


The Israeli army had already ordered the evacuation of 25 other localities in southern Lebanon yesterday, including the city of Nabatieh.

10:52 Beirut Time

Three rescue workers were injured this morning in the southern Beirut's southern suburb of Mreijeh, after being targeted by an Israeli drone, according to media reports.

10:50 Beirut Time

In the Mreijeh neighborhood, in Beirut's southern suburbs, on Oct. 4, 2024, after relentless Israeli night strikes. (Credit: Ibrahim Amro/AFP)

While it is challenging to keep an accurate count of the human toll of the war in Lebanon, we strive to compile the available figures each morning. 


Click here for the human toll of the war in Lebanon for Oct. 3, 2024, including those killed, wounded, or displaced by Israeli bombardment.

10:19 Beirut Time

Hezbollah announced that it attacked an Israeli position at around 7 a.m., stating it struck Krayot, north of Haifa, "with a salvo of missiles." This location is approximately 30 kilometers from the border.

According to Haaretz, Israeli police reported that rocket fragments fell in this Haifa suburb but did not cause any casualties. Yesterday, the party announced a record 32 attacks against northern Israel since Oct. 8, 2023, including rocket strikes along the border, operations to prevent land infiltration, and attacks deeper into Israeli territory.

10:15 Beirut Time

In the south this morning, Israeli strikes targeted Toura (Sour district) and Mjadal (Saida).


According to local sources cited by our correspondent, a strike last night on Kherbet Selm killed three people.

10:14 Beirut Time

Israeli strikes continued this morning in the Bekaa, according to our local correspondent.


- An airstrike targeted a house in Sbouba, in northern Bekaa.


- A drone strike also targeted a truck in Ali al-Nahri, about a dozen kilometers east of Zahle, but no casualties were reported.

10:11 Beirut Time

The Lebanese Red Cross launched a new urgent appeal for blood donations on its X account this morning. It states that its centers are open for blood donations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

10:10 Beirut Time

176,080 Syrian citizens and 63,373 Lebanese citizens have fled to Syria since Sept. 23. A total of 239,453 people.

09:51 Beirut Time

Shortly after midnight, a series of Israeli strikes targeted northern and western Bekaa, reported our correspondent in the region. The strikes targeted Baalbeck, Nabi Sheet, Hosh, Shmestar and Taraya.

09:48 Beirut Time

Around 20 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards the Haifa region, some of which were intercepted, reported the Israeli army, quoted by Haaretz.

09:46 Beirut Time

In southern Lebanon today:


- Our correspondent in South Lebanon, reported two Israeli airstrikes on the village of Khiam (Marjayoun) this morning.


- He also noted Israeli artillery fire targeting the villages of Kfar Kila and Odaisseh, both in the Marjayoun district.

09:44 Beirut Time

A key event to watch today: Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is set to lead the weekly Friday prayer at 10:30 a.m. local time (07:00 GMT), where his sermon may outline Iran’s next steps.


This comes after Iran launched 200 missiles into Israel on Tuesday, triggering mutual threats of retaliation and raising fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East.

09:41 Beirut Time

The latest round of Israeli night strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs came after a day of intense clashes between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces along the Lebanese-Israeli border yesterday.


Notably, for the first time, the Lebanese Army retaliated against an Israeli strike on one of its positions in Bint Jbeil, near the southern border. This unprecedented response followed the deaths of two Lebanese soldiers in separate attacks earlier in the day. One of which targeted a Lebanese Red Cross convoy in Taybeh (Marjayoun), killing a Lebanese Army soldier and injuring four medics. Yesterday, Hezbollah carried out a record 32 operations targeting Israeli positions and forces attempting to infiltrate the border, claiming that they killed 17 soldiers.

09:35 Beirut Time

Three Israeli officials, speaking anonymously, told The New York Times that the strike targeted "a meeting of senior Hezbollah leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah’s presumed successor, Hashem Safieddine."

Hezbollah’s press office was unavailable for comment when contacted by L'Orient Today. Sky News, citing Israeli media, reported that tens of tons of bombs were used in the strike aimed at killing Safieddine. Shortly after the attack, several journalists and outlets claimed it was "more violent than the strike that killed Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.”

09:32 Beirut Time

A quick recap of last night’s events:

The Israeli army launched multiple strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight. The most significant and violent one occurred at midnight, reportedly targeting Hachem Safieddine, head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council and Hassan Nasrallah’s potential successor.


To catch up on key events on the Lebanon war, read our Recap. 

09:30 Beirut Time

To catch up on yesterday's key events, read our Morning Brief. 

09:25 Beirut Time

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