Israel attacks Lebanon: Beirut suffers ‘unprecedented’ bombardment
- Israel’s military launches an “unprecedented” attack on southern Beirut with dead and wounded at the scene and a block of buildings brought down as the assault on Lebanon intensifies.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decries “lies and slander” at the UN General Assembly, threatens Iran, and vows to continue “degrading” Hezbollah in Lebanon as delegates storm out in protest.
Hezbollah vows to keep fighting until Israel stops its war on Gaza
Not long before the attack, thousands of Lebanese massed in another part of Beirut’s suburbs for the funeral of three Hezbollah members killed in earlier strikes, including the head of the group’s drone unit, Mohammed Surur.
Men and women in the giant crowd waved their fists in the air and chanted, “We will never accept humiliation” as they marched behind the three coffins, wrapped in the group’s yellow flag.
Hussein Fadlallah, Hezbollah’s top official in Beirut, said in a speech no matter how many commanders Israel kills, the group has endless numbers of experienced fighters deployed all over the front lines.
Fadlallah vowed Hezbollah will keep fighting until Israel stops its bloody war on Gaza “We will not abandon the support of Palestine, Jerusalem and oppressed Gaza. There is no place for neutrality in this battle.”
Iran: Israeli strike on Beirut ‘dangerous game-changing escalation’
Iran’s embassy in Lebanon says Israel’s major attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs represents a “dangerous game-changing escalation” that will “bring its perpetrator an appropriate punishment”.
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.
Israeli army ‘highly prepared to attack and defend’ if needed
Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi just concluded a meeting to “asses the situation” after a major attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs, calling the area the home of Hezbollah’s “command centre”.
Halevi said the army is “highly prepared to both attack and defend”, according to a statement.
At least six residential buildings were levelled in the air raids on the Haret Hreik district. Rescuers are still trying to evacuate the wounded to hospitals.
