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 03, 2024, 12:35 PM EDT

9 killed in strike in central Beirut

An Israeli strike in central Beirut, in the Bashoura neighborhood, killed nine people and injured at least 14, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said Thursday.

Following strikes overnight and into the morning, the Israeli army issued a statement Thursday warning residents of 25 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes and to head north.

"Any house used by Hezbollah for its military needs is expected to be targeted," the Israel Defense Forces said in the statement.

-ABC News' Ghazi Balkiz

Oct 03, 2024, 11:59 AM EDT

Iran warns other nations not to get involved

Iran said its response to retaliation from Israel will be "solely directed at the aggressor," but warned other nations not to get involved.

"Should any country render assistance to the aggressor, it shall likewise be deemed an accomplice and a legitimate target," the Permanent Mission of Iran to the United Nations said in a statement Thursday. "We advise countries to refrain from entangling themselves in the conflict between the Israeli regime and Iran and to distance themselves from the fray."

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman

Oct 03, 2024, 11:30 AM EDT

Biden says no Israeli response to Iran attack today

President Joe Biden said "nothing going to happen today" when asked by reporters Thursday about Israeli retaliation on Iran.

Asked whether he'd "allow" Israel to strike back, Biden said, "First of all, we don't allow Israel, we advise Israel. And there's nothing going to happen today."

On whether he would support Israel striking Iranian oil facilities in retaliation for their missile attack, Biden responded, "We're discussing that."

Biden took the questions as he departed the White House en route to Florida and George to continue to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

Oct 03, 2024, 5:18 AM EDT

'Sleepless night' in Beirut as Israel continues strikes

More than a dozen Israeli airstrikes shook Beirut over the last 24 hours, with the United Nations' special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis reporting "another sleepless night" in the capital.

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburb on October 3, 2024.
Fadel Itani/AFP via Getty Images

One strike occurred around midnight local time in the heart of central Beirut, close to the Lebanese parliament building. It is rare for Israel to bomb the center of the capital, with most recent attacks occurring in the southern suburbs.

Israel called the bombing a "precise strike." Lebanese health officials said seven people were killed and another seven injured.

Israeli warplanes also continued their bombardment of Beirut's densely-populated southern Dahiya suburb into Thursday morning, with at least 17 strikes there over the past 24 hours.

-ABC News' Joe Simonetti

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