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 02, 2024, 5:34 AM EDT

Israel deploys more troops into Lebanon with air, artillery support

The Israel Defense Forces announced Wednesday that more troops "are joining the limited, localized, targeted raids on Hezbollah terror targets and terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon that began on Monday."

An Israeli Apache helicopter releases flares near the Israeli-Lebanon border, as seen from northern Israel, on Oct. 2, 2024.
Baz Ratner/AP

The IDF said its 36th Division -- including soldiers of the Golani Brigade, 188th Armored Brigade, 6th Infantry Brigade and additional forces -- would join the ground incursion.

The units will be accompanied by air and artillery units, the IDF added.

-ABC News' Joe Simonetti and Jordana Miller

Oct 02, 2024, 4:57 AM EDT

IDF says it hit 'munitions production sites' in Beirut

Recent airstrikes in southern Beirut targeted "munitions production sites and other terrorist infrastructures," according to an Israel Defense Forces statement published on Wednesday morning.

People check the site of an overnight Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburb of Shayyah, Lebanon on Oct. 2, 2024.
-/AFP via Getty Images

"Fighter jets of the air force, under the precise intelligence guidance of the intelligence division, carried out a series of targeted attacks in recent days throughout Beirut," the IDF wrote.

Beirut -- and particularly its southern suburb of Dahiya -- has faced intense airstrikes in recent days as Israeli warplanes target what the IDF says are a variety of Hezbollah-associated targets.

The southern suburbs were also the site of the airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Sept. 27.

Oct 02, 2024, 3:31 AM EDT

'Israel is coming,' opposition leader says after Iran attacks

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said Iran will "pay a significant and heavy price" for Tuesday's ballistic missile attack.

"With our military capabilities, our defense industries, the support of our allies and in particular the strength of our incredible people -- we know that even when the cost is high, we will win," Lapid wrote on X.

"Tehran knows that Israel is coming," he added. "The response needs to be tough and it should send an unequivocal message to the terror axis in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Gaza and in Iran itself."

A man walks past a damaged school in Israel's southern city of Gedera on Oct. 2, 2024, after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel.
John Wessels/AFP via Getty Images

"Alongside that response, we need to develop a coherent regional strategy which translates military successes into a strategic victory, into change in the region. And we must not forget, not even for a moment, the urgent need to bring our hostages home."

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Oct 01, 2024, 10:42 PM EDT

Defense Sec. Austin says Iran should 'halt any further attacks'

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has called on Iran to "halt any further attacks" following its missile strike on Israel.

"U.S. forces in the Middle East intercepted multiple missiles launched by Iran toward Israel, as we fulfilled our commitment to partner with Israel in its defense. We condemn this outrageous act of aggression by Iran, and we call on Iran to halt any further attacks, including from its proxy terrorist groups," Austin said in his statement. "We will never hesitate to protect our forces and interests in the Middle East, and to support the defense of Israel and our partners in the region."

Austin said he is "deeply proud" of the U.S. troops involved in helping save lives by intercepting missiles launched at Israel.

"Our forces remain postured to protect U.S. troops and partners in the Middle East, and the Department maintains significant capability to defend our people, provide further support for Israel’s self-defense, and deter further escalation," Austin added. "I will continue to monitor the situation closely and to consult with our allies and partners."

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

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