Iran-Israel LIVE: IDF threatens to strike Iran's nuclear facilities in response to attack

UK forces took part in attempts to prevent further violence in the Middle East, the Defence Secretary has confirmed, after Sir Keir Starmer said he stands with Israel following an attack on the country by Iran.

John Healey said he "completely condemn[s] Iran's attack against Israel".

"British forces have this evening played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East," he added. "I want to thank all British personnel involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism."

Earlier the Prime Minister had said he was "deeply concerned that the region is on the brink" and again urged British nationals in Lebanon to leave amid escalating violence in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Britons fleeing Lebanon were set to board a UK Government-chartered flight to safety on Wednesday.

In a statement from Downing Street, Sir Keir said Iran has "menaced the Middle East for far too long" and called on the country to "stop these attacks".

"We stand with Israel and we recognise her right to self-defence in the face of this aggression," he said. "Iran must stop these attacks. Together with its proxies like Hezbollah, Iran has menaced the Middle East for far too long, chaos and destruction brought not just to Israel, but to the people they live amongst in Lebanon and beyond. Make no mistake, Britain stands full square against such violence. We support Israel's reasonable demand for the security of its people."

It is highly likely Israel will now launch major missile attacks against Iran’s nuclear missile programme, a war correspondent has claimed.

Chris Hughes, Daily Mirror Defence and Security Editor, speculates that this war will "inevitably spread globally".

Hughes wrote: " It is highly likely that now Israel will launch major missile attacks against Iran’s nuclear missile programme in the belief that it has no choice. The problem with this is that Iran may well see this as an existential threat as its entire raison d’etre from the 1979 revolution has been to strong arm its way into becoming the Middle East’s power broker. Iran backing down now will be deemed a poor look inside the Tehran regime - and the momentum towards all-out war and continued missile exchanges may be unstoppable."

He adds: "This is now an overt military confrontation between Israel and Iran - with possibly the west likely to be sucked in within days. A wider regional war will cause instability, with its knock-on effects globally."

British forces “played their part” in protecting Israel from Iranian ballistic missile, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

Video footage has emerged of a ballistic missile that landed near the Jordanian capital, Amman.

Unconfirmed reports of casualties to the north of the city.

The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has said the Israeli Air Force (IAF) will launch "powerful airstrikes throughout the Middle East" after Iran launched nearly 200 missiles at Israel.

Tehran announced its attack was in response to Israel's assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on September 27.

Red Alerts were sounded across central and southern Israel.

The IDF said: "All Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters as rockets from Iran are fired at Israel."

Unconfirmed videos on social media appeared to show air defence systems intercepting missiles over Israeli territory.

The attack puts Israel and Iran on the brink of all-out war, something that would likely be devastating for the region.

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel and committed to helping Israel's defence.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon, and they discussed the escalating situation across the Middle East.

“The Prime Minister condemned Iran’s attack on Israel today in the strongest terms, which began during the leaders’ conversation, and expressed the UK’s steadfast commitment to Israeli security and the protection of civilians.“During the call, the Prime Minister also underlined the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon to allow space for a political solution in line with UNSC Resolution 1701.

“The Prime Minister also raised the situation in Gaza and the importance of a ceasefire and action to bring home the hostages.”

Keir Starmer also spoke to Jordan's leader about the importance of a ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon.

A Downing Street spokesperson added: “The Prime Minister spoke to King Abdullah II of Jordan earlier this afternoon from Downing Street.

“The leaders began by underscoring the urgent need for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza. They both called for de-escalation to prevent the extreme humanitarian situation from worsening.

“The Prime Minister said he will work alongside partners and do everything possible to push for de-escalation and push for a diplomatic solution.

“The leaders agreed to stay in touch.”

A top White House official has said the US will work with Israel to ensure Iran faces consequences for its attack.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan: "There will be severe consequences for this Iranian attack and we will work with Israel to make sure that is the case.”

He added: "We do not know of any deaths in Israel.

The Israeli Defence Force has said Israeli Air Force (IAF) will respond to Tehran's missile attack.

According to leading Israeli journalist Avi Mayer, the IAF will seek its retribution tonight.

A “panicked” son waiting for his mother to catch a flight out of Lebanon said he has been “infuriated” by the UK Government’s response to help evacuate non-British family members.

Philip, 28, a British citizen who did not wish to share his or his mother’s surnames, said his Lebanese mother Rita, 55, arrived in Ajaltoun, Keserwan, north of Beirut, in August to visit her uncle who has cancer.

She has a commercial flight booked out of the country on Wednesday, but her son fears a dangerous journey to the airport after the Israeli military began a “limited, localised” military ground offensive in the southern part of the country.

“We’re panicking about how she’s going to get to the airport,” he told the PA news agency.

“Instead of being in some form of evacuation protected by the British, she instead has to get a taxi, go through the southern suburb of Beirut which is arguably one of the most dangerous places on Earth, and get to the airport all on her own.

“God forbid something happens like a bombing at the airport – it’s just very, very stressful.”

When PA contacted the FCDO for comment, it replied with information on the flight chartered by the UK to help British nationals leave Lebanon which is scheduled to leave Beirut on Wednesday – and said it does not “routinely comment on flight details and individual consular cases”.

The Israeli Defence Force has said that its citizens can now leave their bomb shelters.

The IDF warned "there will be repercussions for this attack", after Iran launched nearly 200 missiles.

The Israeli Defence Force wrote on X: "RAW FOOTAGE: Watch as Iranian missiles rain over the Old City in Jerusalem, a holy site for Muslims, Christians and Jews.

"This is the target of the Iranian regime: everyone."

"We will never apologise for protecting our people", David Saranga, former Israeli ambassador to Romania, said.

Missiles or missile fragments appear to have struck downtown Tel Aviv causing massive explosions.

Iran launched nearly 200 missiles at Israel and air defences were seen intercepting the projectiles over the country.

CNN video appears to show that at least some of the missiles or large fragments have made it through Israel's lauded Iron Dome system hitting densely populated areas.

Sky News shows missiles being launched into Jerusalem, Israel.

The IDF has said 200 missiles have been fired by Iran.

British journalist Afshin Rattansi, based in Dubai, has shared more footage of missiles appearing to arrive in Israel.

Getty Images has shared images it says show Israel has "intercepted" Iranian ballistic missiles.

However, it is yet to be confirmed whether or not Iran has hit any targets within Israel.

On X, the US President wrote: "This morning,@VP and I convened our national security team to discuss Iranian plans to launch an imminent missile attack against Israel.

"We discussed how the United States is prepared to help Israel defend against these attacks, and protect American personnel in the region."

Iran has launched ballistic missiles at Israel.

Video footage shows explosions in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.

Video appears to show Israeli air defences at work intercepting Iranian missiles.

At least ten people are reportedly injured in a suspected terrorist attack in the suburbs of Tel Aviv.

Israeli security forces have been rushed to the scene and are investigating whether the shooting was terror-related.

Britons in Lebanon are being warned the UK cannot guarantee getting them out quickly if the “febrile and fragile” situation deteriorates.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has urged British nationals in the country to leave by commercial flights or on a UK-chartered plane due to depart on Wednesday, warning that the airport could be closed if the fighting continues.

Israel has come under further attack from Hezbollah as the threat of more missile attacks intensifies.

In a post on Telegram, the group said it had targeted the Sde Dov air base on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged citizens to heed the safety instructions of the home front command.

His warnings come as Iran is reported to be about to launch a ballistic missile strike on the country, as situation threatens to get out of control.

Reporter Melissa Weiss shared the alert residents of Tel Aviv received in advance of Iran's "imminently" expected ballistic missile attack.

The US Embassy in Israel has issued advice to its government personnel and their familiy members.

In a statement, the Embassy said that due to the "current security situation" government personnel should "shelter in place until further notice”.

It added that people should make their own "security plans".

Israeli military officials have downplayed the immediate threat of an Iranian missile strike.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that, despite US intelligence reports suggesting Tehran may be preparing an attack, Israel has not identified any imminent danger from Iran.

In a brief update, Hagari said, "At this time, we do not perceive an aerial threat from Iran."

He added that the military is maintaining heightened alert levels, actively monitoring the skies, and prepared for both offensive and defensive actions. Israel remains on high alert as the situation in the region continues to unfold.

IDF spokesperson has confirmed that Israel is ready to deal with an Iranian attack, while denying reports that Iran is preparing to launch an imminent attack on Israel.

Daniel Hagari said the military is "fully equipped with air force planes currently patrolling the sky".

He added: "We are at peak readiness in attack and defence. We are at a very high level of readiness together with our partners from the United States, our ally. We are following the developments in Iran together."

"Citizens of Israel, we are in the midst of a campaign against Iran's axis of evil", he said.

"Yesterday, I said that these were days of great achievements and great challenges: Great achievements because we eliminated Nasrallah and his senior command, as well as Hezbollah's plan to seize the Galilee."

He continued: "We are determined to return our residents in the north safely to their homes. But there are also great challenges.

"I ask of you two things: First, strictly follow the directives of Home Front Command; it saves lives.

"Second, stand together. Together we will stand steadfast in the trying days ahead of us. Together we will stand. Together we will fight and together we will win."

The Israel Defense Forces said the explosions constituted the "destruction of terrorist infrastructure" near the border.

In a statement they added: "IDF troops have conducted targeted operations against Hezbollah's combat compounds in southern Lebanon.

"These operations were conducted in order to dismantle the military capabilities of Hezbollah's Radwan Forces and prevent it from carrying out its October 7th-style ‘Conquer the Galilee’ plan for an invasion into northern Israel.

"The soldiers identified and breached underground access points near the border area, exposed extensive weapon caches, assembly areas for terrorist operative operations, and more.

"During these operations, the troops also collected valuable intelligence and methodically dismantled the weapons and compounds, including underground infrastructure and advanced weaponry of Iranian origin.

"The troops also uncovered and destroyed underground infrastructure, struck thousands of targets and hundreds of weapons storage facilities, tons of explosives, and hundreds of living areas for operatives, command centers and more. Some of the weapons were recovered and taken by the soldiers back into Israeli territory."

A senior White House official has told CBS that Iran is preparing to "imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel".

"A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran," the official warned.

They added that the US is supporting "defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack".

The US has said Israel's ground raid into Lebanon will last just days, according to White House officials as quoted by NBC News.

Israel has described its groud operation as "limited, localised, and targeted ground raids".

In an IDF post on X, which claimed Hezbollah were plotting an October 7-style attack on Galilee, northern Israel, RAdm. Daniel Hagari said: "Hezbollah chose to join the war that Hamas started on October 7."

Later in the clip, he said: "Hezbollah has openly said that it plans to carry out its own October 7 massacre on Israel's northern border - but on an even larger scale."

The Israel Air Force conducted a strike on Hamas members operating in a command and control centre in Gaza City in the northern Gaza Strip overnight, the military said on Tuesday.

The command centre was embedded in what had previously been the "Shejaiya" UNRWA school, the IDF noted.

They added that Hamas used the location to plan and carry out terror activities against IDF troops and Israeli territory.

The Israeli military extended home front safety restrictions on Tuesday to many towns and cities across the country, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

In a message on its official Telegram channel, the IDF said the changes would come into effect from 2pm local time (11am GMT). It said: "The main changes are as follows:

"Educational activities can be held in a place where you can reach a protected space in case of an alert.

"Gatherings and services can be held with a limit of up to 30 people in an open area and up to 300 people in closed spaces.

"Workplaces can operate in a building or place where you can reach a protected space in case of an alert."

Hezbollah targeted the headqurters of Mossad in the Tel Aviv area in a rocket attack.

The group said it launched "Fadi-4" rockets at the headquarters of Mossad and Unit 8200.

An AFP journalist reported hearing explosions in Tel Aviv, while police said one projectile hit a road near the central town of Kfar Qasim, wounding a man who was struck by shrapnel. Kfar Qasim is located just under 18 miles from Tel Aviv

Israel's unrelenting attacks on Hezbollah, Hamas and Houthi rebels have seriously damaged Tehran's ability to use its military proxies to deter Tel Aviv from attacking Iran directly.

Avi Melamed said: "Israel has continued hammering Iran’s proxies in Lebanon (Hezbollah) and Gaza (Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad) and launched a second salvo of strikes against the Houthis- not only seeking to cease the Houthi launches against Israel but also to send a reminder to Iran that Israel maintains long-distance capabilities.

"While Israel is not likely to immediately go after targets in Iran, like its nuclear program, it’s clear that Tehran has lost its operational deterrence and at this point is relying on Western diplomacy alone to dissuade Israel from a direct Israeli strike.

"As of today, it seems Israel’s Western allies are likely to pass on the opportunity to fully fracture the Iranian threat while its proxies lack command and control, coordination and what remains of them are struggling to survive each day."

Hezbollah said in a statement that claims by Israel's military that its forces had entered Lebanon were false.

The group also said that no direct clashes had taken place between their fighters and Israeli forces, but that they were "ready for a direct confrontation".

People from about 25 villages in southern Lebanon have been told to leave their homes by the IDF.

In a post on social media, Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee said: "For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately."

He added: "Any home used by Hezbollah for its military needs is expected to be targeted.

Some of the latest photos from Lebanon show the destruction inflicted by Israeli airstrikes on the country.

Air raid sirens have sounded in Tel Aviv, as Hezbollah launches more missile attacks on Israel.

The IDF said most had been intercepted by their air defence systems.

One person is reported by local Israeli media to be "moderately injured" after a strike in the centre of the country.

Lebanon's Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, says his country is facing "one of the most dangerous phases" in its history.

Mikati made the comment during a UN meeting, hours after Israeli troops entered southern Lebanon.

A spokesman for the IDF said Israel would do everything in its power to prevent another 7 October style attack on any of its borders.

Daniel Hagari also claimed Israel is attacking villages inside Lebanon which Hezbollah has converted to military bases as part of a plan to launch an attack on Israel.

"I want to make it clear our war is with Hezbollah, not with the people of Lebanon," he said.

"We do not want to harm Lebanese civilians, and we are taking measures to prevent that.

"We will not let 7 October happen again on any one of our borders.

"We will continue doing whatever necessary so that Israeli families can return to their homes in safety and security."

Hezbollah says it has now targeted military sites in another part of northern Israel.

At 08:55 (06:55 BST) Hezbollah launched artillery fire on the Avivim area, close to the Lebanon border, according to a statement released by the group.

The IDF earlier said some of the rockets were intercepted, some crashed and some "fell in an open area".

In the warning issued by Israel’s Arabic language military spokesperson, Lebanese residents have been cautioned against moving their vehicles while “heavy fighting” was taking place.

Avichay Adraee said: "Heavy fighting is taking place in southern Lebanon, with Hezbollah elements using the civilian environment and the population as human shields to launch attacks.

"For your personal safety, we ask you not to move vehicles from the northern region to the southern region of the Litani River. This warning is in effect until further notice."

An address reportedly given to Israeli troops as they entered Lebanon has been shared by Hebrew media outley Ynet.

It quotes Brig Gen Guy Levy of the IDF 98th division telling service personnel: "You fight with courage, aggression, lethality and determination.

"At the beginning of the new year we are on the battlefield, the first to attack for a new reality for the residents of the north.

"Our mission is to attack the terrorist organisation Hezbollah, to destroy its infrastructure, weapons and terrorists, in order to remove the threat to the residents of the state of Israel and to create the conditions for the return of the residents of the north to their homes in safety."

There has been an attack on a ship in the Red Sea, believed to have been done by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

A captain on a ship saw four “splashes” near his vessel, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said in a warning. That is believed to have been missiles or drones launched at the vessel.

“All crew are safe and the vessel is proceeding to (its) next port of call,” the UKMTO said.

The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack. However, they can take hours or days to acknowledge their assaults.

The Houthis had threatened “escalating military operations” targeting Israel on Monday.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu's public approval rating took a hit following the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

They are now bouncing back following Israel's invasion of Lebanon, according to an opinion poll.

Israel's Channel 12 says his Likud Party would win the most seats if an election was held today, unlike his current coalition.

The Israeli military has confirmed it carried out "precise strikes" overnight on "several" weapons manufacturing sites and supposed Hezbollah infrastructure in Dahieh, a suburb of Beirut.

"Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including by issuing warnings to civilians in the area, the use of precise munitions, and aerial surveillance," it says.

The United Arab Emirates has declared its “unwavering position towards the unity of Lebanon, its national sovereignty, and its territorial integrity”.

It is expected that more countries in the Middle East will issue their own statements on the Israeli invasion.

Overnight raids were launched on four Lebanese towns just north of the Israel border, according to the countries national news agency.

The towns hit are Bint Jbeil, Tayri, Kounine and Blida in Northern Lebanon,

In its announcement that the ground operation had begun, the IDF said it would target a “number of villages near the border, which pose an immediate and real threat to Israeli settlements on the northern border”.

United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told Israel's defense minister that he agreed on the need for a ground offensive inside Lebanon to rid the border area of Hezbollah weapons and other means it can use to carry out attacks across the frontier.

Austin told Yoav Gallant in a call that the US supports Israel's right to defend itself and discussed Israel's military operations.

Israeli ground forces moved into southern Lebanon overnight, marking a significant escalation of an offensive against Hezbollah. The Israeli military said Tuesday it has begun a "limited" ground operation against Hezbollah targets it said posed an "immediate threat" to northern Israeli communities.

"We agreed on the necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure along the border," Austin said in a statement posted on Twitter.

The Israeli military says it has begun a "limited, localised" operation against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

It said it was carrying out "targeted ground raids" in villages close to the Israeli border. The targets, it said, pose an "immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel."

It announced early Tuesday that the operation has been planned in recent months and was launched after approval by political leaders.

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J Austin III and Israeli Defense Minister Gallant have held a call to discuss "serious consequences in event Iran chooses to launch direct military attack against Israel", the US Government said in a release.

The press release reads:

"The Iranian leadership is prepared to accept a humiliating retreat in the face of Israeli strikes in the short term to safeguard the regime in the long run, and this explains Tehran's lack of retaliation so far," said Alex Vatanka, the director of the Iran Program at the Washington-based Middle East Institute.

Iran could encourage more asymmetric attacks, targeting Jewish tourists, synagogues or Israeli diplomatic missions as it has done in the past. Netanyahu issued a warning Monday to Iran likely over that risk, saying: "There is nowhere in the Middle East Israel cannot reach."

Tehran also could weaponize its nuclear program. It already enriches uranium to near-weapons-grade levels after the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Hard-line voices within Iran's theocracy, like its daily Kahyan newspaper, already are calling for a response "harsher" than its April attack, which caused very little damage.

That, however, runs directly counter to the plans of Iran's new reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, who campaigned on a promise to get crushing economic sanctions lifted against Iran. That's grown in importance as energy prices continue to fall and Iran likely sells its oil at a discount due to being locked out of many nations.

If nuclear deal "commitments are implemented fully and in good faith, dialogue on other issues can follow," Pezeshkian told the United Nations General Assembly last week.

Ending the sanctions requires a deal with the West on the nuclear program, something that will become nearly impossible if Iran enters an all-out war with Israel. Relieving that economic pressure remains crucial for Iran's domestic stability as well, as authorities remember the months of protests that followed the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini.

"For the time being it appears the president and the supreme leader, the latter who is abundantly cautious, want to keep the line open to dialogue and negotiations," Vakil said.

And to keep that line open, Iran needs someone else to take the lead against Israel.

The IDF said its incursion into Lebanon has been named 'Operation Northern Arrows'.

They said it would continue "according to the situational assessment and in parallel to combat in Gaza and in other arenas."

Iran lost its most reliable ally in the Middle East when an Israeli airstrike killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. But Iran isn't leading the charge to retaliate.

That's put Tehran in a bind: Not responding could see it alienate the militias it relies on in the region. Meanwhile, any possible retaliation risks a wider war as its theocracy faces intense challenges at home.

"By the grace and power of God, Lebanon will make the transgressing, malicious enemy regret its actions," Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in the wake of Nasrallah's death Friday. But the 85-year-old paramount ruler in Iran gave no mention of his country taking action over the death of a man he once praised as "an exceptional face in the world of Islam" after the Israel-Hezbollah war in 2006.

That reluctance continued into Monday, as Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani told journalists that "the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian people are not after war" but rather "peace and stability in the region."

Though Kananni added that, "any adventurous move or action against our national security or interests and our hands will never be tied," at one point wearing a checkered Palestinian keffiyeh scarf during his remarks. These comments highlight a reticence in responding to Nasrallah's death.

There was no word on how long the operation would last, but the army said soldiers had been training and preparing for the mission in recent months.

Israel has said it will continue to strike the group until it is safe for displaced Israelis from border communities to return to their homes.

And in another sign the invasion was imminent, Israel declared three small border communities to be a "closed military zone," restricting access only to army personnel.

There were no reports of direct clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants. But throughout the evening, Israeli artillery units pounded targets in southern Lebanon and the sounds of airstrikes were heard throughout Beirut. Smoke rose from the capital's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a strong presence, shortly after Israel ordered residents of three buildings to evacuate.

In a brief announcement, IDF said it was striking Hezbollah targets in areas close to the Israeli border, and that air force and artillery units were carrying out attacks to support the ground forces.

It gave no details on how long the operation would last but said the army had been training and preparing for months.

"A few hours ago, the IDF began limited, localised and targeted ground raids," it said. "These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel."

The incursion came shortly after it was approved by Israeli political leaders and marked a new stage in Israel's war against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group.​

The IDF claims the target it is hitting close to the Israeli border with Lebanon currently pose 'an immediate threat to Israeli communities".

The IDF said on Twitter: "The Israeli Air Force and IDF Artillery are supporting the ground forces with precise strikes on military targets in the area."

Earlier, US officials said Israel had launched small ground raids against Hezbollah and sealed off communities along its northern border on Monday as Israeli artillery pounded southern Lebanon.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Israel informed the US about the raids, which he said were described as "limited operations focused on Hezbollah infrastructure near the border."

The sounds of airstrikes were heard throughout Beirut and smoke rose from the capital's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a strong presence, shortly after Israel ordered residents of three buildings to evacuate.

There were no reports of direct clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants, who last engaged in ground combat on Lebanese soil during a monthlong war in 2006.

The Israeli military tonight has said it had begun a "limited, localised" operation against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, opening a new front in its war against the Lebanese militant group.

In a brief announcement, it said it was striking Hezbollah targets in areas close to the Israeli border, and that air force and artillery units were carrying out attacks to support the ground forces. It gave no details on how long the operation would last, but said the army had been training and preparing for months.

"A few hours ago, the IDF began limited, localized and targeted ground raids," it said. "These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel."

The incursion came shortly after it was approved by Israeli political leaders and marked a new stage in Israel's war against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group.

The Israeli military says it has begun a "limited, localized" operation against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

It said it was carrying out "targeted ground raids" in villages close to the Israeli border. The targets, it said, pose an "immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel."

It announced early Tuesday that the operation has been planned in recent months and was launched after approval by political leaders.

Political reporter for Axios Barak Ravid writes: "The Israeli ground operation in southern Lebanon started, Israeli officials said."

Israeli airstrikes target Beirut's southern suburbs, hitting at least two locations, according to a security source.

Residents in the area reported seeing bright flashes followed by loud explosions.

This follows an earlier warning from the Israeli military, which said it would target specific buildings in the densely populated area, accusing Hezbollah of using them for military purposes.

According to the local media, there has been an airstrike at Beirut airport.

It comes soon after IDF said they have dismantled a Hezbollah surface-to-air missile launcher storage facility approximately 1.5 kilometres from Beirut’s international airport in a precise airstrike.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Iran that there is "nowhere in the Middle East Israel can't reach" in a fiery warning ahead of what could be a full ground invasion of Lebanon.

Israeli special forces earlier today initiated daring raids inside Lebanon, signalling a potential ground offensive aimed at eradicating Hezbollah's rocket and missile units.

Netenhahu slammed Tehran, who provides financial support to Hezbollah, accusing the Iranian leadership of edging the nation towards disaster.

He said: "Every day you see a regime that subjugates you, makes fiery speeches about defending Lebanon, defending Gaza. Yet every day, that regime plunges our region deeper into darkness and deeper into war."

IDF have issued more civilian warnings urging people to evacuate.

Writing on X, their spokesperson said: "We will be targeting these facilities very soon.

"For your safety and the safety of your loved ones - evacuate buildings immediately and stay away from them and from nearby buildings."

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) say they have dismantled a Hezbollah surface-to-air missile launcher storage facility approximately 1.5 kilometres from Beirut’s international airport in a precise airstrike.

The IDF claimed the missile infrastructure posed a threat not only to Lebanese airspace but also to international flights.

This strike was part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to weaken Hezbollah’s military capabilities in Lebanon amid rising tensions.

The IDF has confirmed that Fateh Sherif, the head of the Lebanon branch of the Hamas terrorist organisation, was killed in a targeted airstrike by the Israeli Air Force (IAF).

Sherif was reportedly involved in coordinating Hamas' activities in Lebanon with Hezbollah, as well as recruiting new members and securing weapons for Hamas in the region.

Israel has issued immediate evacuations order for civilians living within 500 meters of three buildings in the Dahieh district of southern Beirut.

IDF spokesperson said: "Urgent warning to the residents of the southern suburbs of Beirut.

"To all those present in the buildings specified in the specified maps and the buildings adjacent to them in the following neighborhoods: Lilac, Haret Hreik, Burj Al-Barajneh.

"You are located near interests and facilities belonging to the terrorist Hezbollah, and therefore the IDF will act against them forcefully.

"For your safety and the safety of your family, you must evacuate the buildings immediately, starting at a distance of no less than 500 meters."

Israel special forces have today crossed the border into Lebanon, with elite troops entering Hezbollah tunnels.

It comes ahead of a possible wider ground invasion later this week.

An Israeli official said they were targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, including weapons sites and command and control centres, in a bid to push the militants away from the Israeli border.

The official said: “They are targeting key sites which have been built across the border zone.

"The question now is what the US will do, and I just hope the US doesn’t get involved and pull us back."