Israel-Iran Live Updates: Intense Fighting Between Hezbollah And Israeli Troops Near Lebanon Border
NewsWorldMiddle EastKeir Starmer warns region on brink as UK confirms its troops responded to Iranian missile strikes on Israel
Iran launches barrage of missiles on Israel as explosions heard across Tel Aviv
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Intense fighting has continued between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, with clashes reported close to the border.
Hezbollah said it had clashed with Israeli troops in the border town of Maroun el-Ras after pushing back fores near another border town, adding that these battles were only “the first round”.
The Israeli military, meanwhile, says it has destroyed over 150 elements of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. Israel also renewed its bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday. It added that a 22-year-old commander had been killed during fighting in southern Lebanon, the first death to be reported.
Nearly 1,900 people have been killed and more than 9,000 wounded in Lebanon in the past year, with the majority of casualties coming in the last week.
It comes as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows revenge on Iran after its military fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday evening in response to the invasion of Lebanon.
Netanyahu warned Tehran would “pay a price” after millions of Israelis rushed to shelters before explosions caused by Israel’s iron dome air defence system intercepting Iranian missiles lit up the night skies above Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
1727876741Gazan buried as only known victim of Iranian barrage against IsraelA 38-year-old Gazan, the only known fatality in Iran’s missile attack against Israel, was buried on Wednesday.
Sameh Khadr Hassan Al-Asali had been staying in a Palestinian security forces compound in the occupied West Bank when he was killed by falling missile debris during Tuesday’s attack, which Israel said was largely thwarted by its air defence systems.
Security forces personnel carried the body draped in the red, green, white and black Palestinian flag. The crowd of about 200 mourners was made up of fellow Gazans staying in Jericho and local people.
A large section of the rocket lay on the ground where it fell outside the compound.
Around 700 workers from Gaza have been staying in Jericho, in the Jordan Valley, since the start of the war in Gaza almost a year ago.
Members of the Palestinian National Security Forces carry the Palestinian-flag-draped body of Samer al-Asali, who was killed in Jericho by falling debris from one of the intercepted projectiles fired overnight by Iran on Israel, during his funeral in Jericho in the occupied West Bank (AFP via Getty Images)Tom Watling2 October 2024 14:45
1727875745Oil prices rise after Iranian missile barrage on IsraelTom Watling2 October 2024 14:29
1727874725Israel’s multilayered air-defense system passes another test in fending off Iranian missile strikeTom Watling2 October 2024 14:12
1727874125Here are some of the latest photos from Lebanon and Israel
People stand on top of the remains of an Iranian missile in the Negev desert near Arad, on the border with Jordan (AFP via Getty Images)
Smoke billows amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon (REUTERS)
Internally displaced families take shelter at the Sky Bar nightclub in Beirut (AFP via Getty Images)Tom Watling2 October 2024 14:02
1727873465 Netanyahu meets security chiefs in Tel Aviv Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met security chiefs at the defence ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, a statement from his office has reported.
It comes 12 hours after Iran launched 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in an unprecedented attack. A previous Iranian aerial assault in April involved around 300 rockets and drones.
Tom Watling2 October 2024 13:51
1727872921 Blasts near Israeli embassy likely caused by hand grenades, Danish police sayEarlier, we reported that two explosions had been recorded near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, as police rushed to the scene. Three people have been apprehended in connection with the incident.
We can now report that a Danish police spokesperson has told a press conference that they believe the two blasts near the Israeli embassy were likely caused by hand grenades.
Blasts near Israeli embassy likely caused by hand grenades, Danish police say (Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima)Tom Watling2 October 2024 13:42
1727872261Tens of thousands of flight passengers experience severe delays after Iran and Iraq airspace closed Tens of thousands of passengers are out of position as a result of widespread flight diversions. The normal flightpath from Europe and North America to the Gulf and south Asia is to fly to the southeast corner of Turkey and then head southeast over either Iran or Iraq.
But as missiles were fired from Iran over Iraq towards Israel, the airspace of both countries was closed.
The most extreme response was Air France flight AF218 from Paris to Mumbai – in which the passengers endured an eight-hour trip to nowhere. The Airbus A350 had departed four hours late from Charles de Gaulle airport. By the time it reached Iraq, the nation’s airspace was suddenly closed. The plane turned around and, battling headwinds, finally arrived back at Paris CDG exactly 12 hours after the original departure time.
The Independent has also identified dozens of diversions on Emirates and Qatar Airways, with passengers from the UK landing at a range of European and Saudi Arabian airports – and, when finally reaching the hub in Dubai or Doha, found they had missed their connections.
Tom Watling2 October 2024 13:31
1727871601Starmer urges Middle East to ‘pull back from the brink’ Sir Keir Starmer has again urged parties to the conflict in the Middle East to “pull back from the brink” ahead of a meeting with European Commission president Ursula von der Leven.
“Can I join you in condemning the attack by Iran just recently,” he said. “We stand with Israel and recognise her full right to security and self-defence.
“We do need to pull back from the brink and to encourage all parties to find a way to de-escalate and find a political solution to the many fronts in this crisis in the Middle East.
“Of course, foremost on our minds is the hostages still held [in Gaza] after such a very, very long time. They should be released immediately and unconditionally.”
He added that he would be discussing the ongoing crisis in the Middle East during his behind closed doors meeting with Ms von der Leyen later today.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer listens during a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, Belgium (AP)Tom Watling2 October 2024 13:20
1727871121Israel and Lebanon army announce casualties during military operations The Israeli military has announced that an army team commander was killed in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese army said a Lebanese soldier was injured in an Israeli drone strike on southern Lebanon.
The soldier was hurt as a Lebanese army unit worked to open a road at the entrance to the southern Lebanese town of Kawkaba, the army said.
Tom Watling2 October 2024 13:12
1727870461Danish police apprehend three individuals in relation to explosions near Israeli embassy Danish police have apprehended three inviduals in relation to explosions near the Israeli embassy in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Police officers are seen securing an area near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen (Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima)Tom Watling2 October 2024 13:01
