Live Reporting
Edited by Nathan Williams and Emily McGarvey, with Nafiseh Kohnavard, Hugo Bachega and Joel Gunter in Beirut and Jon Donnison in Jerusalem
The latest developments in Lebanon and Israelpublished at 00:02 British Summer Time 7 October
00:02 BST 7 October
Image source, ReutersCross-border conflict has continued this evening between Israel and Lebanon. We're pausing our live coverage shortly, but here are the headlines:
- The Israeli military says it has struck several Hezbollah intelligence targets and weapons storage facilities in Beirut. Powerful explosions were seen in Lebanon's capital, hours after the Israeli military issued evacuation orders in the region
- Sirens sounded across parts of Israel on Sunday night, with the Israeli military saying it intercepted some projectiles fired from Lebanon, while others fell in the Upper Galilee area, the HaCarmel and HaMifratz areas. Five people were wounded by shrapnel in Haifa, Israeli media report
- The last scheduled plane carrying UK nationals out of Lebanon has landed in Birmingham Airport - the Foreign Office says no more flight will run as demand has dropped
- Airports in Iran's capital Tehran have resumed flights, after Iran earlier cancelled flights from some airports. It comes after Israel threatened to retaliate for an Iranian missile attack last week
- Meanwhile, a policewoman was killed and 10 others injured in a shooting in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba, local authorities said
- The Israeli air force says it has killed a Hezbollah commander - Khader Ali Tawil - who was among those responsible for an anti-tank missile that hit the town of Kfar Yuval on Israel's northern border in January
The latest conflict comes as commemorations begin for the anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel. The BBC's international editor Jeremy Bowen explains how "a year of killing and broken assumptions" has taken Middle East to edge of deeper, wider war.
Explosions send shockwaves across the citypublished at 23:37 British Summer Time 6 October
23:37 BST 6 October
Nafiseh Kohnavard
Middle East correspondent, BBC World Service, in BeirutImage source, ReutersA giant orange column rose at a location that Israel struck tonight, before we witnessed and heard several secondary explosions, one after another.
Traces and sparks have continued for a long time and still flashes are continuing.
I saw a similar explosion last night after another Israeli air strike on southern suburbs of Beirut, not far from the location that was hit tonight.
But tonight's strike was much bigger. Some weapons experts and open sources suggest that an ammunition depot was hit.
An Israeli army spokesperson posted a video of the explosion, saying that "secondary explosions are clearly showing that there are ammunition and rockets in Hezbollah warehouse".
Hezbollah has not yet responded to these claims. Whatever was hit, the explosion sent shockwaves across the city, keeping it awake and concerned for another night.
Israel's surveillance drones are now flying in low altitude, as if they are searching for a target. Usually after each round of the drones flying low, there is an air strike a few minutes later.
It seems it is going to be a long night for Beirut again.
Woman, 84, on UK flight evacuated from Lebanonpublished at 23:06 British Summer Time 6 October
23:06 BST 6 October
Sam Harrison
Reporting from Birmingham International AirportPeople old and young have come back to the UK on the final chartered flight. Paul Brattisanie is waiting patently for his elderly mother to arrive.
"She’s 84 and she’s been living in Beirut since 1972."
Asked why she chose to leave in this particular moment, he tells me she reached her limit.
"She’s been living in Beirut a long time and has seen lots of wars. I think she’s just tired and wants a break."
UK advises against all travel to parts of Israelpublished at 23:01 British Summer Time 6 October
23:01 BST 6 October
The UK Foreign Office is advising against all travel to parts of Israel, external due to heightened tensions in the region, in a new statement issued on Sunday night.
As we've reported, air sirens have sounded across parts of northern Israel this evening, amid ongoing conflict between the Iran-backed group Hezbollah and the Israeli military. Israel's army says Hezbollah has fired 120 projectiles at Israeli territory from Lebanon today.
Israeli military says it hit Hezbollah weapons facility in Beirutpublished at 22:58 British Summer Time 6 October
22:58 BST 6 October
Image source, ReutersThe Israeli military says it has struck targets belonging to Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters in Beirut.
Weapons storage facilities belonging to the Iran-backed group were hit in Beirut, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says.
Secondary explosions happened after the initial strikes, indicating weapons were stored in the facilities.
The IDF says Hezbollah has "deliberately" based its command and weapons centres below residential buildings in the heart of Beirut, "endangering the population in the area".
The Israeli air force also struck targets in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa area, it adds.
Watch: More powerful explosions seen in Beirutpublished at 22:41 British Summer Time 6 October
22:41 BST 6 October
Our correspondent Nafiseh Kohnavard in Beirut says there has been multiple Israeli air strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut followed by several secondary explosions - watch that moment in the clip above.
Nervous families wait for Brits evacuated from Lebanonpublished at 22:28 British Summer Time 6 October
22:28 BST 6 October
Sam Harrison
Reporting from Birmingham International AirportAs we reported earlier, the last scheduled evacuation flight carrying British nationals out of Lebanon has landed at Birmingham airport.
The UK Foreign Office warned this was the last chance for UK citizens to leave Beirut.
After eight hours of travel for the passengers, nervous family members wait at Birmingham International Airport for their arrival.
Amongst them is Rana Fawaz, whose aunt lives in Lebanon and has seen her country spiral into crisis.
"I don’t want to cry but my heart is beating so fast. I just want her to be comfortable," says Rana.
"She hasn’t slept."
Rana says her Aunt had been through a lot. "She’s my hero," she tells me.
Watch: Moment strike hits southern Beirut suburbpublished at 21:59 British Summer Time 6 October
21:59 BST 6 October
As we've just reported, Lebanon's capital Beirut has been hit with more air strikes tonight, after the Israeli military ordered evacuation orders in the area - watch that moment in the clip above.
Sirens sounding in northern Israelpublished at 21:49 British Summer Time 6 October
21:49 BST 6 October
Sirens are sounding in two areas in northern Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says.
Air alerts can be heard in the city of Haifa and in the Upper Galilee region, the IDF says in its latest update.
The military adds that over 120 projectiles were fired by Hezbollah from Lebanon into Israeli territory today.
Airports in Tehran resume flightspublished at 21:39 British Summer Time 6 October
21:39 BST 6 October
Earlier we told you that Iran was cancelling flights from 21:00 local time from "some" airports.
We've now heard that two airports in the capital Tehran - Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini - have resumed flights.
Of course, this comes after Israel's threat to retaliate after Iran's missile attack on Israel last week.
Last scheduled UK flight from Beirut returns to Birminghampublished at 21:35 British Summer Time 6 October
21:35 BST 6 OctoberBreaking
Sam Harrison
Reporting from Birmingham International AirportThe last scheduled plane carrying UK nationals out of Lebanon has landed back in Birmingham Airport.
Passengers on the flight have joined over 250 other UK citizens who have been evacuated from the country.
The UK Foreign Office says no more flights will run as demand has dropped.
Israeli missile strike hits southern Beirut againpublished at 21:17 British Summer Time 6 October
21:17 BST 6 OctoberBreaking
Image source, Nafiseh Kohnavard/BBC NewsAt least one new missile strike has just hit southern Beirut, just over an hour since evacuation orders were issued.
They hit a southern suburb which has a strong Hezbollah presence and is close to the airport.
The area has been targeted several times in recent days.
UN refugee chief warns of humanitarian law violationspublished at 20:45 British Summer Time 6 October
20:45 BST 6 October
Carine Torbey
BBC Arabic correspondent, in BeirutThe UN high commissioner for refugees has warned of violations ofinternational humanitarian law in the ongoing war in Lebanon.
Filippo Grandi was referring to attacks on health facilities in variouslocations in the country. He also said the destruction of civilian housesand forcing people to flee is not in line with the rules of war.
Grandi did not mention Israel by name but it was clear he waspointing to Israeli actions.
The World Health Organization has documented 37 Israeli attacks onhealth care facilities, more than 70 health workers killed and more than 65health workers injured.
During his visit to Beirut, Grandi called for the safety of movementof humanitarian staff and respect for civilian infrastructure to preservesupply lines for humanitarian assistance.
A few days ago, Israel hit the road on the main crossing between Lebanonand Syria, which was used by more than 200,000 people to flee the war.
Israel said it was targeting tunnels for arms smuggling but the Lebanesegovernment said this was a civilian crossing under the government authority.
Military bases in Syria hit - state mediapublished at 20:24 British Summer Time 6 October
20:24 BST 6 OctoberBreaking
Earlier we brought you reports of strikes against targets in the Homs region of Syria.
Sana - the Syrian state-run news agency - says a number of military sites in central Syria were targeted by Israel, citing an unnamed military source.
The IDF has not commented on the strikes, and rarely publicly acknowledges operations in Syria.
Israel poised to launch new strikes on Beirutpublished at 20:17 British Summer Time 6 October
20:17 BST 6 OctoberBreaking
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have just issued an "urgent" evacuation warning to residents in Burj al-Barajneh and Hadath - both areas in the south of Beirut.
"You are located near Hezbollah facilities and interests, and the IDF will operate against them in the near future," the warning reads.
"For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate this building and the buildings adjacent to it immediately and stay away from it for a distance of no less than 500 meters".
Missile strikes have been carried out after similar orders issued in recent days.
When will Israel hit Iran?published at 19:57 British Summer Time 6 October
19:57 BST 6 October
Frank Gardner
Security correspondentImage source, EPAFor days now, much ofthe Middle East has been metaphorically holding its breath.
More than five days have elapsed since Iran carried out amassive ballistic missile attack on Israel - in retaliation, it said, for Israel’srecent assassinations of the political leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas.
After Tuesday’s attack Israel immediately vowed to make the Islamic Republic‘pay a heavy price’. So why the delay? And when and how will Israel strike back?
The delay is partly down to deliberations, both within the Israelimilitary and political establishment and also with Israel’s close ally, the US.These are about not just the targeting – ranging from oil installations, toRevolutionary Guards bases, to ballistic missile factories, to nuclear researchfacilities – but also on the likely effect and Iran’s response.
The last thingthe White House wants is another full-scale war that embroils US forces just amonth before a presidential election. Nor does it want to see oil prices spike,which would not play well at the pumps with US voters.
Timing-wise, many had expected Israel’s counter-strike to happen assoon as the Jewish New Year holiday ended on Friday. Others expect it onMonday, marking one year since Iran-backed Hamas militants carried out theirraid into southern Israel.
The only certainty seems to be that a strike iscoming.
World awaits Israel's response to Iran missile attackpublished at 19:33 British Summer Time 6 October
19:33 BST 6 October
Tom Bennett
ReporterSince Iran’s large-scale missile barrage against Israel on Tuesday, the world has been waiting to see what Israel’s response will be.
Among the possibilities considered in Israel has been carrying out strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure. Speculation around that sent the price of Brent crude oil surging earlier this week.
Another option - which would be seen as more escalatory - is targeting Iran's nuclear facilities. US President Joe Biden has advised against both.
When Iran sent a missile barrage towards Israel in April, Israel's government opted for a fairly limited response, striking an air defence battery at an Iranian airbase, with limited public comment afterwards.
This time, many Middle East analysts are expecting something much more serious.
Iran’s aviation authorities tonight announced the suspension of all flights across the country until 06:00 local time on Monday due to “operational restrictions”. They gave no further details.
UN forces 'deeply concerned' by IDF activities on borderpublished at 19:10 British Summer Time 6 October
19:10 BST 6 October
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) says it is "deeply concerned" by recent activities of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the border.
UNIFIL says the Israeli military is operating "immediately adjacent" to one of its positions. The position is close to the Lebanese village of Maroun al-Ras, which is around 5km from an Israeli town declared a "closed military area" by the IDF earlier this evening.
It says the IDF has been "repeatedly informed" of the situation, adding that it's an "extremely dangerous development".
"It is unacceptable to compromise the safety of UN peacekeepers carrying out their Security Council-mandated tasks," a statement continued.
The UN peacekeeping mission was founded in the late 70s in response to conflict between Israel and armed groups in southern Lebanon.
Explosions heard in central Syria, says state-run mediapublished at 18:51 British Summer Time 6 October
18:51 BST 6 October
Explosions have been heard in central Syria, according to the UK-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It said Israel had targeted the area.
It comes after the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (Sana) reported explosions in Syrian airspace.
Israel regularly strikes targets in Syria but rarely comments on operations in the country. The IDF has not commented this evening.
BBC News has not independently verified reports of strikes in Syria.
IDF declares three areas on Lebanon border 'closed military zones'published at 18:31 British Summer Time 6 October
18:31 BST 6 October
Israel's military has ordered a "closed military area" around three towns on the border with Lebanon.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it is "strictly prohibited" to enter the communities of Manara, Yiftach, and Malkia.
The order is similar to one which was imposed on three towns slightly further north on the day Israel launched ground operations into southern Lebanon.
