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Israel-Gaza-Lebanon live updates: Hezbollah confirms top commander killed

Israel has said it is preparing a potential ground invasion into Lebanon.

ByJulia Reinstein, David Brennan, and Nadine El-Bawab
Last Updated: September 23, 2024, 12:24 PM EDT

Israel and Hezbollah are exchanging hundreds of cross-border strikes in the wake of the shocking explosions of wireless devices across Lebanon last week.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Sep 23, 2024, 12:24 PM EDT

US deploying 'small number' of additional troops to Middle East, DOD says

The U.S. is sending "a small number" of additional troops to the Middle East amid growing tensions in the region, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder announced Monday.

"In light of increased tension in the Middle East, and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region," Ryder said.

He would not give additional details on the size or nature of these additional forces, citing operational security concerns.

Sep 23, 2024, 9:07 AM EDT

IDF calls for more civilians to evacuate Lebanon

As Israeli forces continue to bombard southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces is calling on civilians living in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley to leave now. This comes after an earlier call for civilians to leave southern Lebanon.

"I urge the Lebanese residents of the villages in the Beqaa Valley who are inside or near houses where rockets and weapons are stored, to move away immediately! For your safety and protection," IDF spokesman spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Monday.

Hagari claimed every house the IDF is striking contains rockets, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles "that are intended to kill Israeli civilians."

Much of Lebanon has been on edge as it has watched fighting in the south intensify.
1:41

Beirut citizens fearful as fighting intensifies

Much of Lebanon has been on edge as it has watched fighting in the south intensify.

ByGhazi Balkiz and Morgan Winsor
Sep 23, 2024, 7:37 AM EDT

Hundreds killed and wounded by Israeli bombing, Lebanese authorities say

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said 182 people were killed and more than 700 were wounded in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Monday.

Women, children and medical personnel were among the casualties, the ministry said.

An Israeli fighter jet is seen from Hadera over the Mediterranean Sea as it flies towards northern Israel, on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.
Ariel Schalit/AP

Israeli warplanes struck 300 Hezbollah targets in the south of the country on Monday morning, the Israel Defense Forces said, following a weekend of intense exchanges across the Israel-Lebanon border.

-ABC News’ Ghazi Balkiz and Morgan Winsor

Sep 23, 2024, 5:29 AM EDT

Israel strikes 300 targets in southern Lebanon

Dozens of Israeli warplanes struck at least 300 targets in southern Lebanon on Monday morning, according to the Israel Defense Forces, the attacks coinciding with an IDF warning of an expanded airstrike campaign against Hezbollah.

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes amid ongoing cross-border hostilities with Hezbollah as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon on September 23, 2024.
Aziz Taher/Reuters

A steady bombardment rocked several Lebanese villages close to the Israeli border.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said at least one person was killed and 20 injured in the ongoing strikes.

-ABC News’ Joe Simonetti