In other developments, hezbollah s Deputy Chief says it is ready for an israeli Ground Offensive and will keep up the fight against israel. The group will choose a successor at the earliest opportunity after the assasination of the Groups Leader, Hassan Nasrallah, by israel on friday. These are the live pictures from the same area. You can see the smoke still rising. Well, we had been able to see some of the smoke rising over the city. A Planejust Landing there. But that is the scene there. But that is the scene there in beirut. There is some of the smoke after that wave of israeli strikes has been continuing. 0ur Correspondent in beirut, hugo bachega, has the latest from there. In beirut, eyes on tv to watch hezbollah s number two, naim qassem, who spoke for the first time since the assassination of the Groups Leader by its greatest enemy, israel. And he was defiant. Speaking from an undisclosed location, he said the killing of Hassan Nasrallah last week was a big blow. But he tried t
There are Reports Tonight that a us official says israel intends to launch a Ground Offensive in lebanon, which could begin as soon as today. Israeli tanks are gathering by the countrys northern border. Israels Defence Minister, who was visiting troops today, told them the next phase of the war will begin soon. Hezbollah has said its prepared for all out war. Lets go straight to lebanon and the capital beirut, anna foster. There is a realfeeling of momentum in the Middle East tonight, after the israeli Defence Minister told his troops on the board at that the military would use force by air, Sea And Land to achieve the aim of returning displaced israelis back to their homes. They said the killing in beirut of the hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah was not the final step. There have been reports that israeli Special Forces had launched some raids inside lebanon but that has not been confirmed. Lucy williamson has been to northern israel and sent this report. Israels army is moving close
Us and brItIsh operatIons. You are watchIng bbc lets return to our top story. A senIor Un OffIcIal has told a SecurIty CouncIl MeetIng populated resIdentIal dIstrIct of dahIeh. CallIng thIs a precIsIon strIke, the target was the Veteran Hezbollah mIlItary leader IbrahIm aqIl. Israel saId he had been elImInated, along wIth about ten commanders of an elIte unIt. At the tIme of the strIke, aqIl and the commanders of the radwan forces were gathered underground under a resIdentIal buIldIng In the heart of the dahIeh In BeIrut, hIdIng among lebanese cIvIlIans, usIng them as human shIelds. They were In the mIddle of plannIng more Terror Attacks agaInst IsraelI cIvIlIans. AqIl had plenty of enemIes. The us had put a 7 MIllIon bounty on hIs head, accusIng hIm of Involvement In the kIllIng of amerIcans In BeIrut In the 1980s. SIren waIls day after day now, hezbollah Is beIng hIt and beIng weakened by warfare from a dIstance. We were repeatedly prevented from reachIng the scene by locals and the
For 15 years. The Labour Party is holding its first annual conference since its landslide general Election Win in liverpool. Despite delegates celebrating the partys electoral success, ministers will be urging Party Members to prepare for more tough decisions in next months budget. It come after Downing Street said that the prime minster, his deputy and the chancellor will no longer accept any donations for clothing following Growing Criticism over gifts from party donors. Our political correspondent Iain Watson has this report. Labour returns to liverpool for its annual conference, but with one big difference. Last year they were in opposition, and now they are in government after a landslide Election Win. Delegates will want to celebrate but they will hear sobering messages from ministers. They will be told the foundations of the economy needs to be fixed, and that means more difficult decisions lie ahead. And if that hasnt made the bubbly go flat, what about this from labour togethe