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
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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.
In pictures: Israel hits Lebanon again
Israel kills dozens in Gaza, sends tanks into southern areas, medics say
Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip killed at least 60 Palestinians overnight, including in a school sheltering displaced families, medics said, as Israeli tanks advanced in areas of Khan Younis in the south of the enclave.
Israeli tanks carried out a raid on several areas in eastern and central Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, before partially retreating, leaving at least 40 people killed and dozens wounded, according to the official Voice of Palestine radio and Hamas media.
In Gaza City, at least 22 Palestinians were killed, the medics said. One Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza City killed 17 people, while another hit the Al-Amal Orphan Society, which also houses displaced persons, killing at least five others, the medics said.
The escalation came after Iran launched a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for Israel‘s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, and Israel vowed a “painful response” against its enemy.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, locked in nearly a year of war with Israel, celebrated as they watched dozens of rockets en route to Israel. Some of those rockets fell in the Palestinian enclave after being intercepted by Israel‘s Iron Dome missile defences, but caused no human losses, witnesses said.
Watch live: Smoke rises in Lebanon as Israel vows Iran will ‘pay a price’ for missiles
Live: Smoke rises in Lebanon as Israel vows Iran will ‘pay a price’ for missiles
Watch a live feed overlooking Beirut's skyline after Israel renewed its bombardment early on Wednesday, 2 October, of the city's southern suburbs.
Israeli military says infantry, armoured units joining Lebanon ground operation
The Israeli military said on Wednesday that regular infantry and armoured units were joining ground operations in southern Lebanon, but said they would remain limited and localised in scope.
Israel said on Tuesday that commando and paratroop units had crossed a short distance over the border in the first publicly announced ground operation in Lebanon.
It subsequently said that special forces units had been carrying out ground raids against Hezbollah targets across the border for months, during which it uncovered tunnels and weapon caches under homes.
The addition of infantry and armoured troops from the 36th Division, including the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armoured Brigade and 6th Infantry Brigade, suggests that the operation has moved beyond limited commando raids.
UK forces ‘played their part’ in response to Iran missile attack
British forces “played their part” in attempts to prevent further violence in the Middle East, the Defence Secretary has confirmed, after Sir Keir Starmer said he stands with Israel following an attack on the country by Iran.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, John Healey said he “completely condemns Iran’s attack against Israel”.
“British forces have this evening played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East,” he added.
Read the full report here:
UK forces ‘played their part’ in response to Iran missile attack
Sir Keir Starmer was speaking to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when Iran launched its missile attack on Tuesday night
Denmark reports two blasts near Israel’s embassy in Copenhagen
Danish police said they were investigating two blasts in the vicinity of Israel’s embassy in Copenhagen today.
There were no injuries reported, police said in a statement.
Iran extends flight cancellations until Thursday morning
All flights in Iran will remain cancelled until Thursday at 5am local time, the country’s Civil Aviation Organisation announced today, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Flights remain suspended a day after Tehran launched a massive missile strike at Israel and Netanyahu vowed to retaliate.
Iran warns US against getting involved in conflict with Israel
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran has warned the US against getting involved with Israel after its barrage of strikes in Tel Aviv.
US president Joe Biden has reaffirmed America’s support for Israel after the missile strikes, calling it “defeated and ineffective”.
“The Secretary (Austin) reaffirmed that the United States remains well postured to defend U.S. personnel, allies, and partners in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations,” the Pentagon said in a statement after US defence secretary Lloyd Austin Austin’s call with Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant.
“The minister and I expressed mutual appreciation for the coordinated defence of Israel against nearly 200 ballistic missiles launched by Iran and committed to remain in close contact,” Mr Austin said separately in a post on X.
Hezbollah says it repelled Israeli forces infiltrating Lebanese town of Adaisseh
Hezbollah said it confronted Israeli forces infiltrating the Lebanese town of Adaisseh this morning, forcing them to retreat.
Israel has launched a ground invasion of Lebanon, what the Israeli military described as a “limited, localised and targeted” operation to target Hezbollah.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin calls Iranian attack ‘outrageous act of aggression'
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