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At least 31 killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, as conflict widens
Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed at least 31 people, authorities said, following rocket fire from Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah after the killing of Iran's supreme leader.
Israel's military vowed to intensify its attacks on the country and make Hezbollah pay a "heavy price" after launching several strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and south Lebanon, areas where Hezbollah holds sway.
The escalation came as Lebanese authorities, who have been trying to spare the country from any repercussions of the US-Israeli attack on Iran, said Hezbollah's rocket fire gave Israel "excuses" to ramp up its attacks.
Hezbollah's attack on Israel overnight was the first time the Lebanese movement claimed responsibility for an operation against Israel since a November 2024 ceasefire sought to end over a year of hostilities between the two.
The group announced around that it had targeted an Israeli army site south of Haifa city "with a barrage of high-quality missiles and a swarm of drones". - source- https://www.rte.ie/
It said the move was "retaliation for the pure blood" of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, blaming his death on Israel after it launched attacks in a joint operation with the United States on Saturday.
"Hezbollah chose the Iranian regime over the State of Lebanon and initiated an attack on our civilians... they will pay a heavy price," said Rafi Milo, head of the Israeli military's Northern Command.
"The strikes continue, their intensity will increase," he was quoted as saying in a military statement hours after the first strikes were fired.
Lebanon's health ministry gave an "initial toll" of 31 killed in Israel's strikes, 20 in Beirut's southern suburbs and 11 in the south. It said at least 149 were wounded.
The bombings triggered a mass exodus from the area, according to AFP correspondents, with families hastily leaving their homes on motorcycles or in cars.
Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed at least 31 people, authorities said, following rocket fire from Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah after the killing of Iran's supreme leader.
Israel's military vowed to intensify its attacks on the country and make Hezbollah pay a "heavy price" after launching several strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and south Lebanon, areas where Hezbollah holds sway.
The escalation came as Lebanese authorities, who have been trying to spare the country from any repercussions of the US-Israeli attack on Iran, said Hezbollah's rocket fire gave Israel "excuses" to ramp up its attacks.
Hezbollah's attack on Israel overnight was the first time the Lebanese movement claimed responsibility for an operation against Israel since a November 2024 ceasefire sought to end over a year of hostilities between the two.
The group announced around that it had targeted an Israeli army site south of Haifa city "with a barrage of high-quality missiles and a swarm of drones". - source- https://www.rte.ie/
It said the move was "retaliation for the pure blood" of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, blaming his death on Israel after it launched attacks in a joint operation with the United States on Saturday.
"Hezbollah chose the Iranian regime over the State of Lebanon and initiated an attack on our civilians... they will pay a heavy price," said Rafi Milo, head of the Israeli military's Northern Command.
"The strikes continue, their intensity will increase," he was quoted as saying in a military statement hours after the first strikes were fired.
Lebanon's health ministry gave an "initial toll" of 31 killed in Israel's strikes, 20 in Beirut's southern suburbs and 11 in the south. It said at least 149 were wounded.
The bombings triggered a mass exodus from the area, according to AFP correspondents, with families hastily leaving their homes on motorcycles or in cars.
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Iran announces 40 days of mourning after Khamenei death
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, state media confirmed, after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran.
Iranian state television announced a 40-day mourning period and seven public holidays following the death of the Iranian leader, who had been in power since 1989.
"With the martyrdom of the supreme leader, his path and mission neither will be lost nor will be forgotten. On the other hand, they will be pursued with greater vigour and zeal," a presenter said.
US President Donald Trump has said that 48 Iranian leaders have been killed in the ongoing US-Israeli bombardments of the country.
"Nobody can believe the success we're having, 48 leaders are gone in one shot. And it's moving along rapidly," Mr Trump was quoted as saying in an interview by Fox News.
He said he would "be talking" to Iranian leaders but was vague on the timing and noted that much of the country's leadership was dead.
A senior Israeli official said earlier that the Iranian leader's body had been found after a strike, and Mr Trump said the United States worked closely with Israel to target the man who led Iran since 1989.
Some Iranians took to the streets cheering with joy, setting off fireworks and playing celebratory music after reports of Mr Khamenei's death emerged, according to witnesses and video footage.
The celebrations in Tehran began shortly after 11pm local time, according to multiple witnesses and audio recordings.
People were not, however, coming out en masse to celebrate, according to social media, as many Iranians remain fearful following the deadly crackdown on mass anti-government protests in January.
The thousands who did gather in the centre of Iran's capital were instead mourning Mr Khamenei's death.
The mourners, dressed mostly in black and some crying, chanted "death to America" and "death to Israel" in Enghelab (Revolution) Square, with many waving Iran's flags and holding photos of Mr Khamenei.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, state media confirmed, after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran.
Iranian state television announced a 40-day mourning period and seven public holidays following the death of the Iranian leader, who had been in power since 1989.
"With the martyrdom of the supreme leader, his path and mission neither will be lost nor will be forgotten. On the other hand, they will be pursued with greater vigour and zeal," a presenter said.
US President Donald Trump has said that 48 Iranian leaders have been killed in the ongoing US-Israeli bombardments of the country.
"Nobody can believe the success we're having, 48 leaders are gone in one shot. And it's moving along rapidly," Mr Trump was quoted as saying in an interview by Fox News.
He said he would "be talking" to Iranian leaders but was vague on the timing and noted that much of the country's leadership was dead.
A senior Israeli official said earlier that the Iranian leader's body had been found after a strike, and Mr Trump said the United States worked closely with Israel to target the man who led Iran since 1989.
Some Iranians took to the streets cheering with joy, setting off fireworks and playing celebratory music after reports of Mr Khamenei's death emerged, according to witnesses and video footage.
The celebrations in Tehran began shortly after 11pm local time, according to multiple witnesses and audio recordings.
People were not, however, coming out en masse to celebrate, according to social media, as many Iranians remain fearful following the deadly crackdown on mass anti-government protests in January.
The thousands who did gather in the centre of Iran's capital were instead mourning Mr Khamenei's death.
The mourners, dressed mostly in black and some crying, chanted "death to America" and "death to Israel" in Enghelab (Revolution) Square, with many waving Iran's flags and holding photos of Mr Khamenei.
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