Israel-Iran live updates: Intense fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli troops near Lebanon border
Keir Starmer warns region on brink as UK confirms its troops responded to Iranian missile strikes on Israel
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
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.
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.
Iran has said it considered the matter concluded and will respond if Israel retaliates.
At least six people killed in suspected terror attack in Tel Aviv, say Israeli police
As Iran retaliates for Israel’s Lebanon campaign against Hezbollah – what comes next for the Middle East?
Mapped: Where has Israel fired missiles around the Middle East?
Is Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system ironclad?
Netanyahu knows Western allies can do little about his Lebanon invasion – it is up to him how far this goes
Tens 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.
Starmer 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.
Israel and Lebanon army announce deaths 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.
Danish 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.
British father in Israel films wave of Iran missiles filling sky
British father in Israel films wave of Iran missiles filling sky
Footage taken from the ground in Israel shows explosions over Kibbutz Hatzerim after Iran launched missiles into the country on Tuesday, 1 October. Simon King, a 60-year-old British-Israeli father living in the Kibbutz near Be’eri, described seeing “orangey-white” explosions across the sky before finding shelter in his safe room with his children. Tehran fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday evening following an Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Explosions caused by Israel’s iron dome air defence system intercepting Iranian missiles lit up the night skies above Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
UN secretary-general banned from entering Israel, foreign secretary says
The Israeli minister for foreign affairs, Israel Katz, says he has banned UN secretary-general António Guterres from Israel.
He accuses Mr Guterres of backing “terrorists, rapists, and murderers from Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis”.
It comes after Mr Guterres condemned the “broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation”, saying the region “absolutely needs a ceasefire”.
Smoke rises over Beirut after airstrike - picture
Here are some of the latest photos from the Middle East
Ellwood can have an opinion but he can't rule anything out because he's not in a position to do so - ex Tory MP
Former defence secretary rules out Britain attacking Iran after missiles fired
Britain will play no part in attacking Iran, a former defence minister has said after Tehran launched around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday, 1 October. When asked if he expects the US or UK to be part of any Israeli response, Tobias Ellwood - who lost his seat at the 2024 general election - said he was firm about his belief. “The move to actually attack Iran moves us into a very dangerous place indeed,” he said. British forces “played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East” on Tuesday, defence secretary John Healey said. It came as Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tehran will “pay a price” after it fired missiles at Israel following an Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
Israel bars UN secretary general from entering country
Israel‘s foreign minister has said that he is barring United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres from entering the country for his failure to “unequivocally condemn” Iran’s massive missile attack on Israel.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments