Live Reporting
Reporting from Sally Nabil in Beirut, Nick Beake in northern Israel, and Yolande Knell in Jerusalem
Reports of more Israeli strikes in southern Beirutpublished at 22:32 British Summer Time 8 October
22:32 BST 8 October
We will shortly be pausing our live coverage. Here is some of what's happened today:
- Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari says the force cannot confirm if former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's potential replacement, Hashem Safieddine, was killed in an air strike last week - and that they are still looking into the results of the operation
- It comes after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the IDF "took out" Safieddine
- The Lebanese National News Agency says more strikes have hit southern Beirut this evening and four residential buildings have "collapsed"
- The Lebanese health ministry says 36 people have been killed in Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours
- Hezbollah has fired more than 100 rockets at the northern Israeli cities of Haifa and Krayot, according to the IDF
- The Israel Defense Forces says at least 50 Hezbollah members were killed in a series of strikes in southern Lebanon on Monday
- The IDF has expanded its ground operation in Lebanon to the south-west. It had previously been focussed in the south-east
- IDF soldiers have been pictured raising Israeli flags on the south side of the Lebanese village Maroun Al Ras
- In Syria, an Israeli strike in the capital Damascus has killed seven people, according to the country's defence ministry
- And US officials say a meeting between the Israeli defence minister and US defence secretary at the Pentagon on Wednesday has been postponed
US officials say Gallant-Austin meeting at the Pentagon postponedpublished at 22:02 British Summer Time 8 October
22:02 BST 8 October
Tom Bateman
State Department correspondentThe Israeli defence minister was supposed to meet US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon on Wednesday.
US officials say the meeting has been postponed, while Israeli media reports that Prime Minister Netanyahu blocked Yoav Gallant from going.
The postponement is a sign of the intense strain on the relationship between Biden and Netanyahu, whose war cabinet is deciding on the form of its retaliation against Iran after last week’s missile attack on Israel.
Biden wants to moderate the Israeli action, with his officials trying to steer them away from an attack on Iran’s oil facilities, amid concerns it could trigger further spiralling conflict and affect the global economy.
Israeli media reports that Netanyahu won’t let his defence minister travel until he gets a call from Biden, with the two leaders reportedly not having spoken directly over Israel’s response to Iran.
Biden has said they will talk once Israel’s war cabinet decides on the form its retaliation.
The Israeli embassy in Washington has been approached for comment.
Lebanese news agency reports on strikes in southern Beirutpublished at 21:53 British Summer Time 8 October
21:53 BST 8 October
The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) says more strikes have hit southern Beirut.
The NNA adds that four residential buildings have "collapsed", external in the Burj al-Barajneh area, following an Israeli strike.
Smoke over southern Beirutpublished at 21:27 British Summer Time 8 October
21:27 BST 8 October
Photos from the Reuters news agency this evening show smoke rising over southern Beirut.
It comes after the Israeli military issued further evacuation orders to residents living in Haret Hreik and Hadath.
IDF says it killed dozens of Hezbollah members yesterdaypublished at 20:51 British Summer Time 8 October
20:51 BST 8 October
The Israel Defense Forces says at least 50 Hezbollah members were killed in a series of strikes carried out in southern Lebanon on Monday.
Israel Air Forces (IAF) conducted the strikes on "underground command centres", which the IDF describes as being part of an "extensive network" that had been built up over "years".
Six senior Hezbollah commanders were among the dozens of members killed on Monday, the statement adds.
Hezbollah has not yet commented on this figure.
Israeli strike in Damascus kills seven peoplepublished at 20:25 British Summer Time 8 October
20:25 BST 8 October
We can now bring you an update on that Israeli strike that hit a residential building in Damascus earlier.
The Syrian defence ministry now says seven people, including women and children, have been killed.
Rescuers are still searching for survivors beneath the rubble, the ministry adds.
The building is in the Mazzeh neighbourhood of Damascus, which is home to embassies and security headquarters, the defence ministry says.
The first three floors of the building were destroyed, with 20 cars damaged by falling debris, the AFP news agency reports.
IDF says it cannot confirm Hashem Safieddine was killedpublished at 20:04 British Summer Time 8 October
20:04 BST 8 October
Earlier we reported on Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the IDF "took out" former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's potential replacement, Hashem Safieddine.
But in the last hour, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari says they cannot confirm that Safieddine was killed in an air strike last week, and that they are still looking into the results of the operation.
Safieddine was a key member of Hezbollah, and was expected to be its next leader.
Hezbollah has not commented.
IDF issues evacuation orders for two Beirut suburbspublished at 19:21 British Summer Time 8 October
19:21 BST 8 October
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has just issued an evacuation order , externalto residents living in Haret Hreik and Hadath in southern Beirut.
IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued the "urgent" warning within the last hour alongside a map of the neighbourhoods, which highlighted specific blocks and buildings.
He says those living inside or near the highlighted sections must evacuate "immediately" and "stay away from it for a distance of no less than 500 meters".
"You are located near Hezbollah facilities and interests, and the IDF will act against them in the near future," the statement on X says.
Israeli strike reported in Damascus, according to Syria's state news agencypublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 8 October
19:11 BST 8 October
An update now from Syria, where the country's state news agency is reporting that an Israeli strike has hit a residential building in its capital.
Injuries have been reported at the site of the strike in Damascus, according to state media.
We will continue to monitor any developments.
‘All British-Palestinians have lost family now’published at 18:55 British Summer Time 8 October
18:55 BST 8 October
Ashitha Nagesh
Reporting from LondonI'm at Parliament Square where a vigil is being held for Gaza.
It’s been arranged by British-Palestinians whose loved ones have been killed in Israel’s military campaign in the territory over the past year.
A total of 41,689 people have been killed in Gaza since last October, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
One of the organisers of this evening’s vigil, Omar El Mokhallalati, tells me 20 of his family members have been killed in Gaza over the last 12 months.
One of them was his cousin, who was Gaza’s first female judge. She was 74 years old.
“She was a person who was dedicated to helping people,” he tells me.
“After her, we saw a huge number of female judges in Gaza. And then we just see her dying, in cold blood, in her house.”
He hopes that holding the vigil next to Parliament will make decision-makers in government take notice.
“When the war started, a small number of British-Palestinians were having family members killed.
"But I can tell you now that all British-Palestinians have lost family members,” he adds.
137 Israeli air strikes in Lebanon in past 24 hours - Lebanese Disaster Risk Management Unitpublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 8 October
18:39 BST 8 October
There have been 137 Israeli air strikes in Lebanon over the past 24 hours, according to the Lebanese Disaster Risk Management Unit.
It says most of these were in the south, southern Beirut and Bekaa - and brings the total number of rockets fired across the border into Lebanon since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on 8 October 2023 to 9,400.
And as people continue to flee their homes in southern Lebanon, 781 of the 990 shelters have reached maximum capacity, it adds.
There are also an estimated 1.2 million displaced people in the country, according to government figures, but only a sixth of those are registered.
Since Israel stepped up its attacks against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon last month, the General Security has recorded more than 400,000 people crossing into neighbouring Syria - most of whom were Syrian citizens (304,897).
36 people killed, 150 injured in past 24 hours - Lebanese health ministrypublished at 18:19 British Summer Time 8 October
18:19 BST 8 OctoberBreaking
The Lebanese health ministry says 36 people have been killed in Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours, and 150 others injured.
It says this brings the total number of people killed in Lebanon since October 2023 to 2,119 - with most in the past two weeks.
Israeli PM Netanyahu says the IDF killed Hashem Safieddinepublished at 18:03 British Summer Time 8 October
18:03 BST 8 October
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will "do whatever is necessary" to get people home safely and stop Hezbollah.
"Israel will win," he says, in a video addressed to the people of Lebanon.
He says the IDF "took out" former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's potential replacement, Hashem Safieddine, and that Hezbollah "is weaker than it has been for many, many years."
He says the Lebanese people need to choose to "take back your country", otherwise Hezbollah will continue to fight at their "expense".
IDF says it found Hezbollah tunnel crossing into Israelpublished at 17:40 British Summer Time 8 October
17:40 BST 8 October
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say a Hezbollah tunnel that crossed about 10 metres (33 feet) from Lebanon into Israel has been found.
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari says that the tunnel was located a few months ago when it was blocked, with no exit in Israel.
In a post on X, he says that the tunnel was in "full operational control" until Israeli troops arrived in the area.
Soldiers searched it and found "weapons, explosive devices and anti-tank missiles", Hagari adds.
"The IDF continues the ground operation and airstrikes in southern Lebanon, working to degrade and harm the capabilities of the terrorist organization Hezbollah".
Soldiers pictured raising Israeli flag in Lebanese border townpublished at 17:02 British Summer Time 8 October
17:02 BST 8 October
By Paul Brown, Richard Irvine-Brown and Shayan Sardarizadeh
Several videos have appeared today confirming Israeli military presence in the town of Maroun al-Ras, southern Lebanon.
In one update from the Israel Defense Forces earlier, it claimed the Golani Brigade have taken control of a Hezbollah compound there. An attached video shows Israeli soldiers at a house with a first-storey porch and surrounded by trees which we have identified as on the east side of the town.
Although we can't be certain of what day it was filmed, we know from recent satellite imagery the next building along the street - less than 100m (330ft) to the east - was destroyed between 30 September and 3 October.
Since the announcement was made, further images have been posted on social media of Israeli flags flying in Iran Park, a family sport and sightseeing spot at the town's southernmost hilltop.
This would put the IDF within 700m of a United Nations outpost, where Israeli military vehicles were seen in much closer proximity yesterday.
Why is Hezbollah targeting Haifa?published at 16:44 British Summer Time 8 October
16:44 BST 8 October
Raffi Berg
Digital Middle East editorThe Israeli port city of Haifa - which has suffered directhits twice in the past two days - is a particular target for Hezbollah for anumber of reasons.
Besides being Israel’s biggest port (and occasional dock forthe US Navy), the city contains petrochemical plants and oilrefineries.
The consequences of a missile strike on these sites could besevere. As well as potentially causing catastrophic explosions, a chemical leakcould threaten Haifa’s population and beyond, as well as damage the environment.
Haifa’s refineries provide fuel to power plants andtransport across the country, and disruption to its distribution could haveserious effects in terms of energy supplies and the economy.
Hezbollah has for years issued specific threats that it will attack Haifa - which is onlyabout 10 miles (16km) from the border with Lebanon.
Itrepeatedly hit the city with Katyusha rockets in the 2006 war, though nothingstruck the refineries or plants. And in June this year, the group releaseddrone footage of sensitive sites in and around Haifa, with its chief HassanNasrallah warning: “Everything will be deliberately targeted”.
Despite his recent assassination by Israel, it’s clear Haifais still in the group’s sights.
Six key developments of the day so farpublished at 16:28 British Summer Time 8 October
16:28 BST 8 October
Here's an at-a-glance summary of some of today's key developments:
- There's "no safe place in Beirut" since Israel stepped up its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the city’s mayor Abdallah Darwich tells the BBC
- Senior Hezbollah figure Hashem Safieddine - a likely successor to the group's recently killed leader Hassan Nasrallah - is also "probably" dead, Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant says
- Health facilities in Lebanon have become severely damaged from the escalating conflict, the World Health Organization says. In the south, 96 centres and facilities have been forced to close and five are not functioning due to damage
- Hezbollah's deputy leader Naim Qassem voiced his support for Lebanon's parliament to reach a ceasefire with Israel. In a first for the group, he made no mention of ending the war in Gaza as a pre-condition
- Israel's military says Hezbollah fired more than 100 rocketstowards the city of Haifa and the surrounding area in northern Israel
- Seven people were injured in an attack that struck Haifa and the Krayot area
Why does Hezbollah call the shots in Lebanon? It's a complicated relationshippublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 8 October
15:55 BST 8 October
Paul Adams
Diplomatic correspondentWe answered questions live this morning - you can see a selection earlier in the page.
Dan from Godalming asked anexcellent one about the relationship between Hezbollah and the Lebanesegovernment.
People wonder why Lebanonseems incapable of acting in its own interest, rather than allowing Hezbollahto call the shots. It’s a complicatedrelationship.
Hezbollah isn’t just amilitia. It’s also a powerful political party, with 13 (out of 128)parliamentary seats and two positions in the current government.
With various allies, it holdsenormous sway over Lebanese politics, and for the past two years has blockedefforts to elect a president.
It controls Beirut’s port andthe country’s border with Syria.
Until Israel startedassassinating its senior leaders, Hezbollah was more powerful than the Lebanesearmy. It’s often described as one of the most powerful non-state armies in theworld.
Many Lebanese profoundlyresent the group’s influence over almost every aspect of life in this fragilecountry.
And since Hezbollah is backedand armed by Iran, Lebanon has reluctantly found itself a base for part ofTehran’s "axis of resistance".
Fears that tactics used in Gaza will be repeated in Lebanonpublished at 15:39 British Summer Time 8 October
15:39 BST 8 October
Nick Beake
Reporting from northern IsraelIsraelhas not given an exact number for the troops taking part in the week-oldinvasion of Lebanon, but it’s been reported in the media here it exceeds15,000.
Butnews that a fourth army division is now operating on its northern border meanspotentially thousands more soldiers will be involved.
Forthe past seven days, the main entry points for the Israelis have been along theeast of the border.
Now,the widening of Israeli operations to the west of its border means its troopswill be moving up towards Hezbollah positions right next to the Mediterraneancoast.
Andtalking of the sea, Israel has indicated naval operations will soon accompanythe current land and air raids.
TheIsrael Defence Forces has issued an urgent warning to Lebanese civilians toavoid being on the beach or on boats along the Mediterranean coastline in southof the country.
Interms of Israel’s new land operations along the western part of its border withLebanon, the IDF says it is carrying out "limited, localised, targeted" operations.
Thatis same language the IDF has used for the past year to describe its activitiesin Gaza.
Today, three UN agencies say they are worriedthesame tactics used by Israel in Gaza are now being repeated in Lebanon. Onesenior UN official called for immediate action to avoid the same "spiralof doom".
Beirut's mayor says the city 'is at its limit'published at 15:19 British Summer Time 8 October
15:19 BST 8 October
Joel Gunter
Reporting from BeirutThe massive influx ofdisplaced people into Beirut has pushed the city to "the limit of its tolerance", the city'smayor Abdallah Darwich tells the BBC.
"If there is a ceasefire, Beirut will breathe outher stress. If there is no ceasefire, we will break," he says, following on from an earlier conversation where he said there was no safe place in the capital.
When Israel’s recentescalation began, the mayor’s office returned to its plans from the previousinvasion, in 2006. They soon discovered that those plans would cover less than10% of the wave of people coming.
"We did not imagine it couldbe this huge,” Darwich says. "Every day, our calculations have become largerand larger."
Darwich has closed all of thecity’s 139 public schools and repurposed them into shelters. But all are nowfull, holding 51,000 refugees in largely unsanitary conditions. More people areon the streets around Beirut.
After the 2006 war, beforeHezbollah became the major force in Lebanon, Gulf states donated vast sums ofmoney to help the country rebuild. Banners hung in Beirut proclaiming, ‘ThankYou Qatar’ and ‘Thank You Saudi’.
"Now there is no ‘Thank YouQatar’, no ‘Thank You Saudi’,” the mayor says. “Now nobody is promising to helpus rebuild.”
The city was still reelingfrom the combined effects of the 2019 financial crisis, the port blast, and anearthquake, before this war began.
“Give us peace in Beirut, andwe can fix everything,” Darwich says. “But we cannot live in this cycle ofdestruction.”