Good evening. Israel has declared an area around its border with Lebanon A Closed Military Zone and has told the united states that its going to launch a limited Ground Operation against hezbollah. Earlier today, the Deputy Leader of the iranian backed Military Group said they were ready to face israeli soldiers. President biden has called for an immediate ceasefire, a view echoed again tonight in the uk by foreign Secretary David Lammy. Israeli tanks have been massing close to the lebanese border and israelS Top general has told troops to prepare to operate inside hezbollah strongholds. Tonight, well be looking at how challenging a Ground Offensive could be and how iran and the us may react. Our senior international Correspondent Orla Guerin will be reporting from here in beirut, but first tonight, lets join Lucy Williamson on the israeli side of the israel lebanon border. Tonight Israels Army has sealed off several areas towards the eastern end of the border, not farfrom where we are
Senior international correspondent has the latest from beirut. Israel waging war from the air in Southern Lebanon today. But there are growing signals that its planning a ground war, perhaps within hours. In beirut, israel has struck near the heart of the city, killing three palestinian militant leaders in this Apartment Block overnight. This attack marks a new moment. Were in the centre of the city here. The area is densely populated. Usually, these streets are full. Theres a major university just around the corner. The War Isnt confined to the hezbollah suburbs now, its right here and all the signs point to escalation. Hezbollah said today there could be a long war, in its first public address since israel killed its leader, hassan nasrallah, on friday. The armed Groups Number two, sheikh naim qassem, said hezbollah i pulled my cousin, his brother and his Sister In Law from the rubble, says mahmoud barakat. He asks god to bring destruction on israel. There was funeral after funeral t
Israel said it was targetting hezbollah Weapons Depots in the lebanese capital. Earlier on friday a series of explosions levelled a number of buildings. The israeli defense forces says it was targetting hezbollah s headquarters in beirut s densely populated southern suburbs. Hezbollah s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was reportedly the target of the explosions. Neither Israel Nor Hezbollah has formally confirmed his status. At least six people were killed in the attack and more than 90 have been injured according to lebanese officals. The embassy of iran which backs hezbollah called the attack a dangerous, game changing escalation. 0ur Bbc teams on the ground describe the situation as chaos, with ambulances rushing to the scene through roads packed with people trying to flee. 0ur Correspondent Hugo bachega has the latest from beirut. Explosions. Scenes of war in beirut. Hezbollah s conflict with israel returning to its stronghold of dahieh, with a series of massive explosions and an escalat
As chaos, with ambulances rushing to the scene through roads packed with people trying to flee. Our correspondent hugo bachega has the latest from beirut. Explosions scenes of war in beirut. Hezbollah s conflict with israel returning to its stronghold of dahieh, with a series of massive explosions and an escalation with unpredictable consequences. Explosion. An attack so powerful that it was seen and heard across the city. Lebanon now on the brink of another war. Chaos on the streets and here is what they are running from. Dahieh, in southern beirut, now looking like gaza. But amid so much destruction, jubilation. Two children rescued from the rubble alive. Hezbollah s backers, iran, say this strike marks a dangerous game changing escalation in the conflict. For israel, it s a strike targeting the heart of hezbollah s operations. Moments ago, the israel defense forces carried out a precise strike on the central headquarter of the hezbollah terror organisation that serves as the epice