Israel-Iran war highlights: Israeli airstrikes rock southern suburbs of Beirut

Israel-Iran war live updates: Israel launched another wave of airstrikes on Friday, targeting suburban Beirut and blocking the main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, impacting tens of thousands fleeing the bombardment aimed at the Hezbollah militant group.

The overnight attacks in the southern suburbs of Beirut created towering clouds of smoke and flames visible from afar, shaking buildings several kilometers away. Strikes in the Dahiyeh neighborhood forced residents to seek shelter amid debris-strewn streets, where at least one building was destroyed, and cars were left in ruins.

The Israeli military reported that it focused on Hezbollah's central intelligence headquarters around midnight. While it did not specify any targets or confirm casualties, the military claimed to have killed 100 Hezbollah fighters within the past 24 hours.

Israel-Iran war live updates: Israel announced that it targeted the intelligence headquarters of Hezbollah in Beirut overnight and was evaluating the damage on Friday. This strike follows a series of attacks on senior members of the group, which Iran's Supreme Leader condemned as counterproductive.

In light of the Iranian ballistic missile attack on Tuesday, which was a response to Israeli military actions in Lebanon, Israel is considering its options for retaliation.

Oil prices have surged due to concerns over potential attacks on Iran's oil facilities as Israel aims to push back Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and eliminate their Hamas counterparts in Gaza.

The airstrike on Beirut is part of a broader offensive that has displaced over 1.2 million Lebanese people and reportedly aimed at the potential successor to Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Iran-backed Hezbollah leader killed by Israel a week earlier.

(Reuters)

Israel-Iran war live updates: Hamas' armed wing has confirmed the death of its commander, Zahi Yaser Oufi, in an Israeli airstrike in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, Reuters reported

Israel-Iran war live updates: The British government announced that it has arranged a charter flight to depart from Lebanon on Sunday to assist citizens wishing to exit the country, Reuters reported.

"There are no more scheduled flights, although we will continue to keep this under review," stated Britain's foreign ministry in a Friday announcement, noting that over 250 British nationals have already departed Lebanon on government-chartered flights.

Israel-Iran war live updates: President Joe Biden expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, stating he was unsure if Netanyahu was delaying a peace deal to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

"No administration has supported Israel more than mine—none," Biden emphasized. "Bibi should keep that in mind. Whether he's trying to influence the election, I don't know, but I'm not counting on it."

Biden made these remarks during a rare appearance in the White House press briefing room, responding to comments by Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who had voiced concerns on CNN that Netanyahu's hesitation toward a peace deal might be influenced by U.S. political factors.

Israel-Iran war live updates: The US military has conducted several strikes against targets linked to Iran-aligned Houthi fighters in Yemen, according to a US official who spoke to Reuters on Friday under the condition of anonymity. The official provided no further details, and U.S. Central Command was unavailable for comment.

Since November, the Houthis have launched nearly 100 attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea, claiming these actions are in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They have reportedly sunk two ships, seized another, and killed at least four sailors.

Israel-Iran war live updates: The United Nations has condemned what it termed an "unlawful airstrike" by Israel on a refugee camp in the West Bank, AFP reported.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, the strike, which took place on Thursday, resulted in the deaths of 18 people. The Israeli military described the raid, carried out in Tulkarem, as the deadliest in over 20 years, claiming that at least seven militants were killed, including a Hamas leader and an Islamic Jihad member who were allegedly planning an attack. The UN Human Rights Office criticized the airstrike, labeling it part of a troubling trend of excessive force by Israeli security forces that has led to significant harm to Palestinians.

Israel-Iran war live updates: According to Poland's foreign ministry, a plane carrying several Polish nationals and citizens of other countries, has landed in Polish capital of Warsaw.

Israel-Iran war live updates: The Israeli army on Friday said a drone launched ‘from the east’ killed two of its soldiers. According to a public broadcaster, the strike originated from Iraq and hit a base in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.

Israel-Iran war live updates: During a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We issued a statement a few days back expressing deep concern - we said that the violence and the situation is of deep concern for us. We had reiterated a call for restraint by all concerned and also the protection of civilians. It is important, in our opinion, that this conflict doesn't take a wider regional dimension and we urge that all issues be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy."

The Islamic Republic of Iran fired some 200 ballistic missiles into Israel on October 1 as a retaliation for the targeted killing of Islamist Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, IRGC’s operations deputy General Abbas Nilforoushan and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh by Israel. Dig deeper

Israel-Iran war live updates: Three Lebanese hospitals, including Sainte Therese Hospital in capital Beirut, have been damaged due to bombarding by Israel. The two other hospitals are in southern Lebanon.

The hospitals have suspended operations following the bombings.

Israel-Iran war live updates: According to the Israeli military, it has killed around 250 Hezbollah fighters, including several battalion and company commanders, since the start of its ground operation in Lebanon earlier this week.

Further, Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said the military was still assessing the damage caused by airstrikes in southern Beirut on Thursday night, which he said targeted Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters.

Israel-Iran war live updates: “If the Israeli entity takes any step or measure against us, our retaliation will be stronger than the previous one,” Abbas Araghchi was quoted as saying after a meeting with Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker, Nabih Berri.

Israel-Iran war live updates: Ali Fadavi, the deputy commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, has warned if attacked by Israel, Iran will hit its arch-foe's energy and gas installations.

"If the occupiers (Sisrael) make such a mistake, we will target all their energy sources, installations and all refineries and gas fields," Fadavi said.

Israel-Iran war live updates: Amid conflict with Hezbollah and Iran, the Israeli military said for the first time in nearly two months, sirens were sounding in southern Israel, near the Gaza strip.

"Almost a year after Oct. 7, Hamas is still threatening our civilians with their terrorism and we will continue operating against them," the IDF wrote in a post on X.

Israel-Iran war live updates: "Infrastructure sites adjacent to the Masnaa border crossing between Syria and Lebanon were struck last night," according to a statement by the Israeli military.

Israel-Iran war live update: "I am concerned that we do everything we can to de-escalate the situation," Starmer told a press conference in Liverpool, northwest England.

Israel-Iran war live updates: Hezbollah fighters have targeted ‘enemy troops’ with artillery in the Maroun al-Ras plain, the Iran-backed militant group said.

Israel-Iran war live updates: “During precise intelligence-based raids, IDF troops discovered rocket launcher munitions, anti-tank missiles and rockets inside a residential home. Additionally, dozens of weapons—aimed at Israeli territory—were left behind in buildings and civilian homes, including anti-tank missiles, firearms, observation posts and an explosive device buried by the enemy in the area,” Israeli military says.

Israel Iran war live updates: Days before the first anniversary of Oct 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel, Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei says attacks were ‘logical and legal.’

Israel Iran war live updates: Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei addressed a large crowd at the Tehran Grand Mosque and stated that Iran would foil all its enemies, in the wake of war-like conditions with Israel.

Israel Iran war live updates: Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei said that the missile attack in Israel was ‘legal’ and ‘legitimate’.

He also stated that, “Every nation, every country has the right to defend its home and its interests.”

He said that Muslims in Palestine and Lebanon were being attacked, so Iran answered with missiles.

Israel Iran war live updates: Addressing a large crowd at the Tehran Grand Mosque on Friday, Iran's Supreme Leader stated that all enemies will be defeated if Muslims unite, as divine support will follow.

He emphasized that, despite differing methods, the enemy of the Islamic nation is singular and that the arrogant sow division and discord among Muslims.

He also said, "Every nation, every country has the right to defend its home and its interests.”

Israel Iran war live updates: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei recited the Quran upon arriving at the commemoration ceremony for slain Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.