Israel-Gaza-Lebanon updates: IDF orders evacuations in Beirut as huge blast hits city

Over 1,000 people in Lebanon have been killed in the last two weeks.

ByNadine El-Bawab, Emily Shapiro, David Brennan, Julia Reinstein, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: October 6, 2024, 7:29 PM EDT

Israel's Lebanon operation continues as leaders consider their response to Iran's long-range attack on Tuesday, in which hundreds of missiles were fired into the country, according to Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations.

Iran said the unprecedented attack was retaliation for a wave of assassinations carried out by Israel over the last several weeks targeting Hezbollah, including leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Most of the missiles were intercepted, but "several hits were identified, and the damage is being assessed," an Israeli security official said.

Tune in to ABC News Live at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, for "Oct 7th: Race to Survive" -- special coverage of the anniversary of the conflict. Veteran correspondent Matt Gutman highlights voices of Israelis and Palestinians impacted by the war and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Oct 01, 2024, 6:53 PM EDT

Iran's missile attack largest ever on Israel, Israeli official says

The Iranian barrage marked the largest missile attack ever on Israel, according to Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations.

"Tonight, Iran carried out the largest and most violent missile attack against the State of Israel to date," Danon said in a statement through his spokesperson earlier Tuesday. "We are ready and prepared defensively and offensively."

Iran fired 220 total missiles over two waves in 30 minutes, according to a U.S. official.

Oct 01, 2024, 6:33 PM EDT

US Embassy in Jerusalem lifts shelter-in-place order

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has lifted a shelter-in-place order for U.S. government employees and their family members, stating in an updated security alert, "The threat of missile barrages has diminished."

Previous travel restrictions to areas outside the greater Tel Aviv region, Jerusalem and Be’er Sheva remain in place until further notice, it said.

Oct 01, 2024, 6:23 PM EDT

2 US Navy destroyers fired missile interceptors: Pentagon

Two U.S. Navy destroyers fired "approximately a dozen" missile interceptors at the incoming ballistic missile barrage aimed at Israel, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a briefing earlier Tuesday.

Ryder said the two destroyers that launched missile interceptors were the USS Bulkeley and USS Cole.

A Navy official told ABC News they believe the two destroyers shot down multiple Iranian missiles.

No U.S. personnel were injured during the Iranian missile attack, Ryder said.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Oct 01, 2024, 6:06 PM EDT

Iran fired 220 missiles in 2 waves: US official

Iran fired 220 total missiles in two waves over 30 minutes, with a brief pause between the waves, according to a U.S. official.

A projectile is intercepted by Israel near the northern city of Baqa al-Gharbiya, Oct. 1, 2024.
Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images

There were some direct impacts near Tel Aviv, though they caused no major damage, the official said.

Many missiles were intercepted over Jordan, the official said.

Among the casualties from the attack, a Palestinian was killed in Jericho, and there are reports of a Bedouin killed in the Negev, according to the official.

Editor's note: This post has been updated.

-ABC News' Martha Raddatz

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