Israel-Lebanon live: Israeli strike kills two in Beirut as US officials ‘furious’ over Netanyahu’s dismissal of ceasefire
The Israeli military has struck Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut in a series of massive explosions thought to have targeted Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the militant group, in which at least two other people were killed.
The airstrikes shook the Lebanese capital, wounding 76 and destroying six buildings in the southern suburbs, where Hezbollah’s central headquarters are said to be located. The death toll was expected to rise.
Israeli sources said Nasrallah was the intended target but a source close to Hezbollah told Reuters he was still alive.
Top US officials are furious after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire plan, sources told CNN. Biden administration chiefs had been assured by Netanyahu aides that he had agreed a 21-day peace deal framework, but hours after the White House announced the idea on Wednesday, Mr Netanyahu branded it “incorrect”.
Mr Netanyahu vowed to continue attacks on Iranian-backed fighters in Lebanon in a closely watched United Nations speech on Friday.
He told the assembly: “There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach, and that’s true of the entire Middle East.”
We will strike at Hezbollah in Beirut again so get out, Israel warns residents
Israeli military chiefs have warned they will strike Hezbollah “assets” in southern Beirut in the coming hours.
The army warned residents in certain neighbourhoods to get out of three buildings it says Hezbollah uses to hide weapons.
Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said residents should evacuate “as soon as possible” because Israel was about to strike them and that the buildings could collapse from secondary explosions.
Jane Dalton27 September 2024 22:12
Israel hopes not to have to invade Lebanon, official says
Israel hopes it will not have to proceed with a ground invasion against Hezbollah in Lebanon, a senior Israeli official has said after Israel attacked the group’s central headquarters in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters it was too early to say whether the attack hit Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
Jane Dalton27 September 2024 21:44
Israeli army warns occupants of Beirut areas to flee
The Israeli military has called for an immediate evacuation of certain buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs for the first time, according to an army spokesperson.
Avichay Adraee posted a message on social media to residents of particular buildings, saying: “You are located near Hezbollah interests and for your safety and the safety of your loved ones, you are obliged to evacuate the buildings immediately and move away from them at a distance of no less than 500 metres.”
Jane Dalton27 September 2024 21:28
Iraq cancels flights to Beirut
Iraqi Airways suspended all its flights to and from Beirut until further notice due to “the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon”, Iraq’s transportation ministry said following the latest Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah has said it fired a salvo of rockets on the city of Safed in Israel, its first announced attack since Israeli strikes hit the southern suburbs of Beirut hours earlier.
Jane Dalton27 September 2024 21:20
US did not know about Israeli ‘targeting Nasrallah’, Biden says
The United States had no knowledge of or participation in the actions of the Israeli Defence Forces, President Biden has insisted.
Asked by reporters calling out questions whether he supported Israel’s decision to try to kill Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, he replied: “The United States had no knowledge of or participation in the IDF action.”
He added: “We’re gathering information,” and “Need to get more information.”
Jane Dalton27 September 2024 20:20
Netanyahu cuts short US visit
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly cut short a visit to the United States and was returning home overnight on Friday, instead of waiting until the end of Sabbath on Saturday evening, his office said.
Israeli politicians do not normally travel on the Sabbath except for matters of great import, and there were suggestions the decision reflected the latest airstrikes were significant.
Hours earlier, Mr Netanyahu had told the UN that Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah would continue, further dimming hopes for a ceasefire. News of the blasts came as he was briefing reporters travelling with him. A military aide whispered into his ear, and he quickly ended the briefing.
Jane Dalton27 September 2024 19:58
Iran promises punishment on perpetrator after strike on Beirut
Iran’s embassy in Lebanon said on X that Friday’s Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs represents a dangerous game-changing escalation that will “bring its perpetrator an appropriate punishment.”
At least two people are dead and 76 were wounded in an Israeli strike on Haret Hreik, in the Dahieh suburbs of Beirut.
The death toll was expected to rise as the removal of rubble continues.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly the “long arm of Israel” can reach the “tyrants of Tehran” anywhere in Iran and the Middle East.
Barney Davis27 September 2024 19:16
GCHQ issues alert over cyber attackers working on behalf of Iranian government
The GCHQ has issued a new alert warning of a threat from targeted phishing attacks being carried out by hackers working on behalf of the Iranian government.
The National Cyber Security Centre, which is a part of the GCHQ, said cyber attackers working on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are using social engineering techniques to gain access to victims’ personal and business accounts online.
Barney Davis27 September 2024 19:06
Two dead 76 wounded in latest Israeli strike on Beirut
Two people are dead and 76 were wounded in an Israeli strike on Haret Hreik, in the Dahieh suburbs of Beirut, according to the preliminary toll from the Lebanese ministry of health.
The death toll was expected to rise as the removal of the rubble continues.
Al Jazeera reporter Zeina Khodr said from the scene of the devastation: “This attack was massive. I have covered a lot of the aftermath of Israeli air strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, but nothing like this.
“The smoke is still billowing. The area of devastation is so large and wide. We’re talking about at least six to seven residential buildings levelled to the ground.”
Barney Davis27 September 2024 18:42
US not warned over Beirut strike
The United States did not have advanced warning of an Israeli strike in Beirut, a Pentagon spokesperson said on Friday.
“The United States was not involved in this operation and we had no advanced warning,” Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters.
It was revealed that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart as the operation was ongoing.
Singh declined to say what Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told Austin about the operation and whether it indeed targeted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The Pentagon also declined to speculate on whether the Hezbollah leader was still alive.
Barney Davis27 September 2024 18:27