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Israel-Gaza-Lebanon updates: Large blast seen in southern Beirut

Israeli strikes have largely been focused on Beirut's southern suburbs.

ByNadine El-Bawab, Emily Shapiro, David Brennan, Julia Reinstein, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: October 3, 2024, 5:19 PM EDT

Israel continued its intense airstrike campaign across Lebanon, which included several strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs and one in the center of the city.

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.

Sirens sounded across Israel and some citizens were urged to seek shelter in protected areas. Most of the missiles were intercepted, but "several hits were identified, and the damage is being assessed," an Israeli security official said.

The U.S. fired missiles to help Israel defend itself against the missile attack, according to the Pentagon's Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
1:28 PM EDT

Israeli forces claim killing of Hezbollah member behind Majdal Shams attack

The Israel Defense Forces said they killed a Hezbollah member, Khider al-Shaebia, in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday.

The IDF said al-Shaebia was responsible for the July attack in Majdal Shams, a town in the Golan Heights, that killed 12 children playing soccer.

Hezbollah denied responsibility at the time for the attack.

The IDF said al-Shaebia was also responsible for "hundreds of rocket and anti-tank missile launches at IDF posts in the area of Har Dov, Mount Hermon, and the northern Golan Heights."

-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Ghazi Balkiz

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

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

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

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