Live Updates: Israel Sends More Troops to Lebanon as War Escalation Fears Mount

Israel expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting Hezbollah strongholds along the border the day after Iran fired hundreds of missiles against the Jewish nation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran “would pay” for the missile attack, which failed to do significant damage but represented a significant escalation, adding that Israel was determined to retaliate. Tehran “made a big mistake tonight” he said on Tuesday. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the use of ground troops and armored units, describing the actions as “limited and localized” operations aimed at disrupting Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon caches said to be hidden beneath civilian homes. An Israeli airstrike hits an area in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Israel has intensified its ground operation further to the Iranian missile strike on Tuesday. An Israeli airstrike hits an area in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Israel has intensified its ground operation further to the Iranian missile strike on Tuesday. Leo Correa/AP In recent days, Hezbollah has escalated rocket fire into northern Israel, in response to Israel’s airstrikes which are believed to have killed over 1,600 people. Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese have been displaced in over a week of action that has seen targets in the south of Lebanon and the capital Beirut being struck. An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires a shell from northern Israel towards Lebanon, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Israel has expanded its ground operation into Lebanon on Wednesday. An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires a shell from northern Israel towards Lebanon, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Israel has expanded its ground operation into Lebanon on Wednesday. Baz Ratner/AP Follow Newsweek’s live blog for updates throughout the day
06:58 AM EDT Israel bans UN secretary-general Israel has sensationally declared UN secretary-general António Guterres ‘persona non grata.’ He is now banned from entering country according to the Israeli government who said he would be remembered “as a stain on the history of the UN”. Announcing the decision on social media, Israel’s foreign minister Israel Katz said: “Today, I have declared UN secretary-general António Guterres persona non grata in Israel and banned him from entering the country. Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel, as almost every country in the world has done, does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil. “This is a secretary-general who has yet to denounce the massacre and sexual atrocities committed by Hamas murderers on 7 October, nor has he led any efforts to declare them a terrorist organization. “A secretary-general who gives backing to terrorists, rapists, and murderers from Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and now Iran – the mothership of global terror – will be remembered as a stain on the history of the UN. “Israel will continue to defend its citizens and uphold its national dignity, with or without António Guterres.” The United Nations Security Council holds a high-level Ministerial Meeting addressing ongoing issues in The Middle East – specifically the War In Gaza – on September 27, 2024 at The United Nations Building World Headquarters… The United Nations Security Council holds a high-level Ministerial Meeting addressing ongoing issues in The Middle East – specifically the War In Gaza – on September 27, 2024 at The United Nations Building World Headquarters in New York City. Here, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaking. (NYC) According to Israel the U.N. secretary-general has failed to condemn Hamas and Hezbollah. More Andrea Renault/STAR MAX/IPx/via AP
06:21 AM EDT Iran missiles strike Palestinian neighborhoods Images from news agency AP have been filed showing intercepted an Iranian missile’s remains being inspected by Palestinians living in the West Bank. Over 180 missiles are reported to have been fired by Iran against Israeli targets on Tuesday. Palestinians inspect the debris of an Iranian missile intercepted by Israel, in the West Bank city of Hebron, Oct. 2, 2024. Up to 180 missiles were fired by Iran on Tuesday evening, which the Israeli… Palestinians inspect the debris of an Iranian missile intercepted by Israel, in the West Bank city of Hebron, Oct. 2, 2024. Up to 180 missiles were fired by Iran on Tuesday evening, which the Israeli military claims to have mostly neutralized. More Mahmoud Illean/AP
06:11 AM EDT Khamenei says to the West: “Get lost” According to the UK’s Daily Telegraph, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has placed blame for the escalating violence in the Middle East on the “US and some European countries,” saying they “falsely claim they bring peace and tranquility to the region.” Khamenei declared that the West should “get lost” from the region to allow Middle Eastern countries to live in peace. During a meeting with officials in Tehran on Wednesday, Khamenei also expressed his grief over the reported death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, saying he is “mourning” the loss. However, he emphasized that Iran’s mourning is a “reviving and driving” force. It was Khamenei who reportedly gave the order to launch the barrage of missiles at Israel on Tuesday evening, according to a Reuters reporter who attended the meeting. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting commemorating Prophet Muhammad’s birthday anniversary in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. The Iranian leader told the West to “Get lost”. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting commemorating Prophet Muhammad’s birthday anniversary in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. The Iranian leader told the West to “Get lost”. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP
05:58 AM EDT Palestinian officials say 51 killed in Israeli strikes on southern Gaza At least 51 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Gaza overnight, according to Palestinian medical officials. The strikes targeted the city of Khan Younis as the Israeli military intensified its ground operations in the area. The ongoing strikes, which Israel says are aimed at militant targets, come nearly a year after Hamas’ October 7 attack, which killed over 1,000 Israelis. Despite increasing attention on developments in Lebanon and Iran, Israel has continued its military campaign across Gaza, maintaining its focus on Hamas strongholds and militant infrastructure within the region. The humanitarian toll continues to rise as the conflict escalates.
05:53 AM EDT Iran missiles damage 100 Tel Aviv homes In the city of Hod Hasharon, a suburb of Tel Aviv, around 100 homes sustained damage during Iran’s missile attack on Tuesday evening. The municipality reported that several homes suffered serious damage, while dozens more experienced light damage. The cause of the destruction was attributed to shrapnel and the shock waves produced by fragments of falling shrapnel. Israeli soldiers look at a destroyed building that was hit in Iran’s missile attack in Hod Hasharon, Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Iran fired 180 missiles towards Israel on Tuesday night according to IDF sources. Israeli soldiers look at a destroyed building that was hit in Iran’s missile attack in Hod Hasharon, Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Iran fired 180 missiles towards Israel on Tuesday night according to IDF sources. Ariel Schalit/AP
05:45 AM EDT The impact of Iran’s missile strike in brief The damage caused by Iran’s missile attack on Israel remains disputed between Iranian and Israeli sources. According to the Israeli military, approximately 180 ballistic missiles were launched on Tuesday evening. Most of these were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, according to an Israeli security official. However, there were reports that some missiles hit military bases and civilian locations including restaurants and schools. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) however claimed that 90% of the projectiles hit their intended targets. The IRGC also stated that it used hypersonic missiles for the first time and that three Israeli military bases had been targeted. The discrepancies between the reports suggest ongoing uncertainty about the full extent of the damage.
05:40 AM EDT New images show intense conflict New images from AP news agency show the intensity of fighting on Wednesday. An Israeli Apache helicopter releases flares near the Israeli-Lebanon border, as seen from northern Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Israel forces have stepped up the operations. An Israeli Apache helicopter releases flares near the Israeli-Lebanon border, as seen from northern Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Israel forces have stepped up the operations. Baz Ratner/AP A woman holds her cat in front of a destroyed building at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Israel has stepped up its attacks on Beirut and… A woman holds her cat in front of a destroyed building at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Israel has stepped up its attacks on Beirut and the south of Lebanon. More Hassan Ammar/AP Smoke rises a neighborhood that was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Dahieh, Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Iran-backed Hezbollah has condemned the attacks and sworn revenge. Smoke rises a neighborhood that was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Dahieh, Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Iran-backed Hezbollah has condemned the attacks and sworn revenge. Hussein Malla/AP
05:28 AM EDT Tehran warns U.S. not to intervene Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a stark warning to the United States, stating that Tehran had “warned the U.S. forces to withdraw from this matter and not to intervene.” His remarks follow a large-scale missile attack launched by Iran on Tuesday evening. Araghchi clarified that there had been “no exchange of messages” with Washington before the attack, asserting that Tehran only communicated with the U.S. after the assault took place.
05:23 AM EDT Oil prices surge but Maersk to continue oil operations Oil prices rose on Wednesday morning as investors around the world weighed the risk of threats to energy supplies further to Ian’s missile attack against Israel on Tuesday night. The price of Brent crude oil futures, the North Sea benchmark, rose by 1.6% to $74.75, while future pricing for its North American counterpart, West Texas Intermediate, rose by 1.7% to $70.98. Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping companies, has confirmed it will continue operations in Beirut despite the escalating conflict in Lebanon, following the Israeli military incursion and heavy bombardment of the capital. In an email reported by Reuters, a Maersk spokesperson acknowledged the challenges but affirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining service. “While Maersk’s business in the country is impacted, we currently remain in a position to serve our customers,” the spokesperson stated.
05:15 AM EDT Israel could strike Iranian oil or nuclear sites in days Reports suggest that Israel is preparing to launch a military strike on Iran within days, potentially targeting key infrastructure including oil facilities or nuclear sites. According to Israeli officials speaking to U.S. news site Axios, the response could include airstrikes or even targeted assassinations as part of a broader retaliation for Iran’s recent launch of 180 ballistic missiles over the border. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Tuesday to take action against Iran, but Israel’s war cabinet has yet to finalize the specific nature of its response. The government is expected to consult with the United States before making any definitive moves. “We have a big question mark about how the Iranians are going to respond to an attack, but we take into consideration the possibility that they would go all in, which will be a whole different ball game,” an Israeli official told Axios, highlighting the uncertainty around Iran’s potential reaction. As tensions between the two nations escalate, there is growing concern that a broader regional conflict could be triggered if Israel proceeds with its plans.
05:04 AM EDT Explosions rock Israeli embassy in Denmark Danish police reported two explosions early Wednesday near the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen. The blasts occurred around 3:20 a.m., prompting heightened security measures and the closure of a nearby Jewish school for the day. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported and that the investigation is ongoing to determine if there is a connection between the explosions and the embassy, which is located in an area with several other diplomatic missions. At this time, the police have not disclosed any arrests related to the incident. The area remains cordoned off as heavily armed officers, search dogs, and forensic teams conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosions.
04:42 AM EDT Hezbollah claims to have repelled Israeli forces According to the Times of Israel Hezbollah reported this morning that it confronted Israeli forces attempting to infiltrate the Lebanese town of Odaisseh, claiming that its fighters successfully forced the Israeli infantry to retreat. In a statement published in the report, Hezbollah said its operatives “clashed with an Israeli enemy infantry force” near the village. Additionally, the group stated that it launched rocket and artillery attacks at three separate locations along the border with Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not yet commented on the alleged confrontation.