· The IDF says it cannot confirm former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s potential replacement, Hashem Safieddine, was killed in an air strike last week
· This comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the IDF “took out” Safieddine
· Earlier, Israel said its troops have begun ground operations in south-west Lebanon – until now, its week-long invasion had focused on the eastern side of the border
· IDF soldiers have been pictured raising Israeli flags on the south side of the Lebanese village Maroun Al Ras
· The mayor of Beirut tells the BBC there is “no safe place” left in the capital as Israeli air strikes continue
· The Lebanese Health Ministry says 36 people have been killed and 150 others injured over the past 24 hours from Israeli attacks
· Hezbollah has fired more than 100 rockets at the northern Israeli city of Haifa, after the city was hit for the first time in 18 years on Monday
Live Reporting
· Reports of more Israeli strikes in southern Beirutpublished at 22:32 British Summer Time 8 October22:32 BST 8 OctoberWe 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 Share page About sharing
· 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 October22:02 BST 8 OctoberTom BatemanState Department correspondent The 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. Share page About sharing
· Lebanese news agency reports on strikes in southern Beirutpublished at 21:53 British Summer Time 8 October21:53 BST 8 OctoberThe 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. Share page About sharing
· Smoke over southern Beirutpublished at 21:27 British Summer Time 8 October21:27 BST 8 OctoberPhotos 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. Image source, Reuters Image source, Reuters Share page About sharing
· IDF says it killed dozens of Hezbollah members yesterdaypublished at 20:51 British Summer Time 8 October20:51 BST 8 OctoberThe 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. Share page About sharing
· Israeli strike in Damascus kills seven peoplepublished at 20:25 British Summer Time 8 October20:25 BST 8 October Image source, Reuters Image caption, Rescuers work at the site of an Israeli strike that targeted a residential building in the Mezzah suburb west of the Syrian capital of DamascusWe 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. Image source, Reuters Share page About sharing
· IDF says it cannot confirm Hashem Safieddine was killedpublished at 20:04 British Summer Time 8 October20:04 BST 8 OctoberEarlier 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. Share page About sharing
· IDF issues evacuation orders for two Beirut suburbspublished at 19:21 British Summer Time 8 October19:21 BST 8 OctoberThe 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. Share page About sharing
· Israeli strike reported in Damascus, according to Syria’s state news agencypublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 8 October19:11 BST 8 OctoberAn 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. Share page About sharing
· ‘All British-Palestinians have lost family now’published at 18:55 British Summer Time 8 October18:55 BST 8 OctoberAshitha NageshReporting from London I’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. Share page About sharing
· 137 Israeli air strikes in Lebanon in past 24 hours – Lebanese Disaster Risk Management Unitpublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 8 October18:39 BST 8 OctoberThere 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). Share page About sharing
· 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. Share page About sharing
· Israeli PM Netanyahu says the IDF killed Hashem Safieddinepublished at 18:03 British Summer Time 8 October18:03 BST 8 OctoberIsrael’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”. Share page About sharing
· IDF says it found Hezbollah tunnel crossing into Israelpublished at 17:40 British Summer Time 8 October17:40 BST 8 OctoberThe 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”. Share page About sharing
· Soldiers pictured raising Israeli flag in Lebanese border townpublished at 17:02 British Summer Time 8 October17:02 BST 8 OctoberBy 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. Image caption, Israeli soldiers raise a flag up among destroyed buildings in Iran Park, Maroun al-Ras Share page About sharing
· Why is Hezbollah targeting Haifa?published at 16:44 British Summer Time 8 October16:44 BST 8 OctoberRaffi BergDigital Middle East editor Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Houses were damaged in Haifa on TuesdayThe Israeli port city of Haifa – which has suffered direct hits twice in the past two days – is a particular target for Hezbollah for a number of reasons. Besides being Israel’s biggest port (and occasional dock for the US Navy), the city contains petrochemical plants and oil refineries. The consequences of a missile strike on these sites could be severe. As well as potentially causing catastrophic explosions, a chemical leak could threaten Haifa’s population and beyond, as well as damage the environment. Haifa’s refineries provide fuel to power plants and transport across the country, and disruption to its distribution could have serious effects in terms of energy supplies and the economy. Hezbollah has for years issued specific threats that it will attack Haifa – which is only about 10 miles (16km) from the border with Lebanon. It repeatedly hit the city with Katyusha rockets in the 2006 war, though nothing struck the refineries or plants. And in June this year, the group released drone footage of sensitive sites in and around Haifa, with its chief Hassan Nasrallah warning: “Everything will be deliberately targeted”. Despite his recent assassination by Israel, it’s clear Haifa is still in the group’s sights. Share page About sharing
· Six key developments of the day so farpublished at 16:28 British Summer Time 8 October16:28 BST 8 October Image source, EPA-EFE Image caption, Senior Hezbollah figure Hashem Safieddine.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 Share page About sharing
· 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 October15:55 BST 8 OctoberPaul AdamsDiplomatic correspondent We answered questions live this morning – you can see a selection earlier in the page. Dan from Godalming asked an excellent one about the relationship between Hezbollah and the Lebanese government. People wonder why Lebanon seems incapable of acting in its own interest, rather than allowing Hezbollah to call the shots. It’s a complicated relationship. Hezbollah isn’t just a militia. 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 holds enormous sway over Lebanese politics, and for the past two years has blocked efforts to elect a president. It controls Beirut’s port and the country’s border with Syria. Until Israel started assassinating its senior leaders, Hezbollah was more powerful than the Lebanese army. It’s often described as one of the most powerful non-state armies in the world. Many Lebanese profoundly resent the group’s influence over almost every aspect of life in this fragile country. And since Hezbollah is backed and armed by Iran, Lebanon has reluctantly found itself a base for part of Tehran‘s “axis of resistance”. Share page About sharing
· Fears that tactics used in Gaza will be repeated in Lebanonpublished at 15:39 British Summer Time 8 October15:39 BST 8 OctoberNick BeakeReporting from northern Israel Image source, EPA Image caption, In the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, a car is damaged by rubbleIsrael has not given an exact number for the troops taking part in the week-old invasion of Lebanon, but it’s been reported in the media here it exceeds 15,000. But news that a fourth army division is now operating on its northern border means potentially thousands more soldiers will be involved. For the past seven days, the main entry points for the Israelis have been along the east of the border. Now, the widening of Israeli operations to the west of its border means its troops will be moving up towards Hezbollah positions right next to the Mediterranean coast. And talking of the sea, Israel has indicated naval operations will soon accompany the current land and air raids. The Israel Defence Forces has issued an urgent warning to Lebanese civilians to avoid being on the beach or on boats along the Mediterranean coastline in south of the country. In terms of Israel’s new land operations along the western part of its border with Lebanon, the IDF says it is carrying out “limited, localised, targeted” operations. That is same language the IDF has used for the past year to describe its activities in Gaza. Today, three UN agencies say they are worried the same tactics used by Israel in Gaza are now being repeated in Lebanon. One senior UN official called for immediate action to avoid the same “spiral of doom”. Share page About sharing
· Beirut’s mayor says the city ‘is at its limit’published at 15:19 British Summer Time 8 October15:19 BST 8 OctoberJoel GunterReporting from Beirut The massive influx of displaced people into Beirut has pushed the city to “the limit of its tolerance”, the city’s mayor Abdallah Darwich tells the BBC. “If there is a ceasefire, Beirut will breathe out her 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 recent escalation began, the mayor’s office returned to its plans from the previous invasion, in 2006. They soon discovered that those plans would cover less than 10% of the wave of people coming. “We did not imagine it could be this huge,” Darwich says. “Every day, our calculations have become larger and larger.” Darwich has closed all of the city’s 139 public schools and repurposed them into shelters. But all are now full, holding 51,000 refugees in largely unsanitary conditions. More people are on the streets around Beirut. After the 2006 war, before Hezbollah became the major force in Lebanon, Gulf states donated vast sums of money to help the country rebuild. Banners hung in Beirut proclaiming, ‘Thank You Qatar’ and ‘Thank You Saudi’. “Now there is no ‘Thank You Qatar’, no ‘Thank You Saudi’,” the mayor says. “Now nobody is promising to help us rebuild.” The city was still reeling from the combined effects of the 2019 financial crisis, the port blast, and an earthquake, before this war began. “Give us peace in Beirut, and we can fix everything,” Darwich says. “But we cannot live in this cycle of destruction.” Image caption, Charity workers from Caritas provide aid to people in Beirut Share page About sharing
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