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
Monitoring a speech from the Hezbollah Leader, Hassan Nazrallah, giving his first public response to two days of attacks in lebanon using sabotaged Communication Devices. The number of people killed has risen to 37, with over 3,000 wounded. The Hezbollah Leader accused israel of being behind the operation, which he said crossed a red line. Oi or humanely with me is ou or. Humanely r security with me is our Security Correspondent frank gardner. Some of what he says is true, some of what he says is true, some is not. They are in real trouble, they are trashed, they in real some is not. They are in real trouble, they are trashed, they are in no position to fight a are in no position to fight a war right now, other than the war right now, other than the low Level Exchange of fire they low Level Exchange of fire they are doing across the border. Are doing across the border. But where i think he is right but where i think he is right is when he says bring it on, we is when he it on, we welco
Weve revealed that Keir Starmer s top adviser, Sue Gray, now earns more than the Prime Minister himself. Weve been told that shes now on a salary of £170,000. Also coming up on the World Today the Uk Wildlife charity is declaring a national Butterfly Emergency after its annual count recorded the lowest numbers in its ill year history. Welcome to the World Today, im sarah campell. An hour of international news. At least nine people have been killed and hundreds wounded in lebanon after a new wave of explosions. This time, its walkie talkies that have been detonated. It comes as israel Defense Minister Yoav gallant has said the country is opening a new phase in the Gaza War and the Centre Of Gravity is shifting to the north. These images filmed in beirut, and which we have speeded up, show the moment when plumes of smoke appeared in several locations across the city. The lebanese News Agencies say they involve walkie talkies made by japanese they involve walkie talkies made byjapanese c
Diverting forces, resources And energy towArds the north. These events confirms thAt there is A serious risk of A drAmAtic escAlAtion in lebAnon, And everything must be done to Avoid thAt escAlAtion. Hello And welcome. On the context in the next hour. After A second dAy of deAdly explosions Across lebAnon, tArgeting hezbollAh, well be live injerusAlem, lebAnon And wAshington. IsrAeli leAders sAy theyre opening A new phAse in the wAr, And the Centre Of GrAvity is shifting to the north. Well Ask whAt does thAt meAn . Also on the progrAmme the us CentrAl BAnk goes big with its first Interest RAte Cut in four yeArs, lowering its key Lending RAte by hAlf A PercentAge Point. And who is briefing AgAinst the LAbour Chief of stAff Sue GrAy And why . As the bbc is told she eArns more thAn her boss the prime minister. We stArt in lebAnon, where theres been A fresh wAve of explosions Across the country, which hAve killed At leAst 1A people, with more thAn A50 injured. HAnd held rAdios or WAlkie TA