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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

Tom Watling ,Bel Trew
Wednesday 02 October 2024 07:53
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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.

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.

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Israel resumes evacuation orders in southern Lebanon

Israel has resumed its evacuation orders to residents in southern Lebanon in signs that Iran’s massive missile attack on the country last night will not deter Israel’s incursions over the border.

Israel’s Arabic-language military spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that “any movement south could put you in danger”.

“Warning to residents of the designated villages in southern Lebanon: Evacuate your homes immediately. Be careful, you are prohibited from heading south. Any movement south could put you in danger,” he said. “We will let you know when it is safe to return home.”

Footage has also shown that Israel resumed its bombing of southern Lebanon only hours after the Iranian attack ended.

Tom Watling2 October 2024 09:50
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Lebanon's Hezbollah says it targeted areas north of Haifa with large missile salvo

Lebanon’s Hezbollah targeted areas north of Israel‘s city of Haifa with a large missile salvo, the militant group said on Wednesday.

Earlier, Israeli media reported that Hezbollah had fired 100 missiles and rockets at Israel this morning.

Tom Watling2 October 2024 09:49
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Danish police investigate two blasts near Israel's embassy

Danish police said on Wednesday they were investigating two blasts in the immediate vicinity of Israel‘s embassy in the northern outskirts of Copenhagen.

There were no injuries reported and it was too early to say how big the blasts had been, a police spokesperson told reporters at the scene.

“It is clear that the Israeli embassy is in the immediate vicinity and that is naturally also an angle that we look at,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jakob Hansen of the Copenhagen police said.

Israel‘s embassy, in a Facebook post, expressed shock over the explosions but said it had full confidence in the Danish police handling the investigation.

An area was cordoned off around the embassy and armed Danish military personnel stood guard, while investigators wearing coverall suits were seen combing the scene for evidence.

Police officers talk during the investigation of two blasts near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark
Police officers talk during the investigation of two blasts near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark (via REUTERS)
Tom Watling2 October 2024 09:41
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Pictured: Biden and Harris watch from White House as Iran bombs Israel

US vice president Kamala Harris has posted a picture of her and president Joe Biden in the White House situation room from last night as they followed Iran’s attack on Israel.

“I unequivocally condemn Iran’s reckless and brazen attack against Israel today,” she wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“Israel, with our assistance, was able to defeat the attack. Our cooperation saved many lives.”

Tom Watling2 October 2024 09:30
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Smoke in Beirut as Israeli military confirms strikes on ‘Hezbollah targets’ after Iran missiles fired

Smoke in Beirut as Israel confirms strikes on ‘Hezbollah targets’

Smoke was seen in Beirut overnight on Tuesday, 1 October and into Wednesday as the Israeli military confirmed strikes on "Hezbollah targets" after Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel. Israel renewed its bombardment early on Wednesday of the Lebanese city's southern suburbs, with at least a dozen airstrikes launched. It came after Benjamin Netanyahu vowed revenge on Iran after it 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 on Tuesday.

Tom Watling2 October 2024 09:21
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Spain to evacuate citizens from Lebanon, defence minister says

Spain plans to send two military aircraft to evacuate citizens from Lebanon, Spanish newswire Europa Press reported on Wednesday, citing defence minister Margarita Robles.

Tom Watling2 October 2024 09:13
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Israel could target Iranian oil facilities, report claims

Israel could look to target Iranian oil facilities by way of retaliating to Tehran’s aerial assault, a report has claimed, citing Israeli officials.

Axios  reports that officials have pointed to the oil facilities as an obvious target following the Iranian attack.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Iran “will pay” for its attack.

Netanyahu warns Iran: ‘Nowhere in the Middle East out of Israel’s reach.
Netanyahu warns Iran: ‘Nowhere in the Middle East out of Israel’s reach. (AP)
Tom Watling2 October 2024 09:09
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Sirens echo as Iran launches missiles into Israel

Sirens Echo As Iran Launches Missiles Into Israel
Tom Watling2 October 2024 09:08
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Yemen's Houthis say they targeted Israeli military posts with rockets

Yemen’s Houthis targeted military posts deep in Israel with three winged ‘Quds 5’ rockets, the group’s military spokesperson Yahya Saree said on Wednesday.

There was no announcement from the Israeli military about rocket fire from Yemen on Wednesday.

The Houthi militants, backed by Iran, have repeatedly fired missiles and drones at Israel in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians, since the Gaza war began with a Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

The group said the continuous support to Israel from the United States and the United Kingdom will put their interests ‘under fire’.

“We will not hesitate in broadening our military operations against the Israeli enemy and who is behind it until the aggression against Gaza and Lebanon ends,” Saree added.

Tom Watling2 October 2024 08:59
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In pictures: Israel hits Lebanon again

Artillery is fired by the Israeli Army into Lebanon, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, as seen from Jish, northern Israel
Artillery is fired by the Israeli Army into Lebanon, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, as seen from Jish, northern Israel (REUTERS)
People drive past destruction at the site of an overnight Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburb Tiro neighbourhood
People drive past destruction at the site of an overnight Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburb Tiro neighbourhood (AFP via Getty Images)
Dust and smoke billow from the site of an overnight Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburb of Shayyah
Dust and smoke billow from the site of an overnight Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburb of Shayyah (AFP via Getty Images)
Tom Watling2 October 2024 08:45

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