22 killed in Lebanon on Wednesday bringing death toll from Israeli strikes closer to 600The death toll across Lebanon from Israeli strikes on Wednesday has now reached 22, according to a Reuters tally of health ministry statements. Earlier this morning health minister Firass Abiad told Al Jazeera Mubasher TV that since Monday, the Israeli offensive had killed 569 people, including 50 children, and wounded 1,835 in Lebanon, suggesting a new total death toll of 591.It announcement came as Israel unleashed more airstrikes on Lebanon and Hezbollah militants fired salvoes of rockets into Israel, including a longer-range projectile that set off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and across central Israel. Israel said it intercepted the projectile, and there were no reports of casualties or damage from that incident, although two people were reported to have been moderately wounded when rockets struck a kibbutz in northern Israel.Half a million people are estimated to have been displaced in Lebanon, foreign minister Abdallah Bou Habib said.ShareUpdated at 14.13 CESTKey eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureUS says Hezbollah missile aimed at Tel Aviv is ‘deeply concerning’ as Israel continues airstrikes across LebanonThe US has said it is deeply concerned by reports of a Hezbollah rocket attack aimed at Israel’s intelligence service, but still believes a diplomatic solution can de-escalate tensions, Reuters reports.White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said in an interview with CNN on Wednesday that the development was “deeply concerning,” adding “Evidence again … that Israel is facing a legitimate threat from a terrorist group backed by Iran.”He said the US continues to support Israel’s right to defend itself, and that “No nation should have to live with these threats right across their border, right next door.”Missile streaks are seen in the air above Tel Aviv on Wednesday. Photograph: Adar E Goldenberg/APSince Israel began an intense series of airstrikes which it claims are aimed at Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Monday nearly 600 people have been killed, and thousands more have been wounded. Tens of thousands have been displaced from their home. The deaths and injuries come on top of the dozens killed and thousands injured in Lebanon last week, when pagers and walkie-talkies were detonated in what has been widely attributed to an Israeli attack.Smoke is seen billowowing over Nabatieh in Lebanon, as seen from Marjayoun. Photograph: Karamallah Daher/ReutersYesterday the Israeli air force claimed it had dropped nearly 2,000 weapons on 1,500 Hezbollah targets in the previous 24 hours.Share22 killed in Lebanon on Wednesday bringing death toll from Israeli strikes closer to 600The death toll across Lebanon from Israeli strikes on Wednesday has now reached 22, according to a Reuters tally of health ministry statements. Earlier this morning health minister Firass Abiad told Al Jazeera Mubasher TV that since Monday, the Israeli offensive had killed 569 people, including 50 children, and wounded 1,835 in Lebanon, suggesting a new total death toll of 591.It announcement came as Israel unleashed more airstrikes on Lebanon and Hezbollah militants fired salvoes of rockets into Israel, including a longer-range projectile that set off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and across central Israel. Israel said it intercepted the projectile, and there were no reports of casualties or damage from that incident, although two people were reported to have been moderately wounded when rockets struck a kibbutz in northern Israel.Half a million people are estimated to have been displaced in Lebanon, foreign minister Abdallah Bou Habib said.ShareUpdated at 14.13 CESTAt least 15 people were killed and around 50 wounded in Israeli strikes across Lebanon on Wednesday on five different locations, according to a Reuters compilation of Lebanese health ministry statements.Israel has expanded the zones it has been striking since Tuesday night, with attacks for the first time on the beach resort town of Jiyyeh just south of Beirut and Maaysrah.The strikes also took place in Bint Jbeil, Tebnin and Ain Qana in the south, the village of Joun in the Chouf district near the southern city of Sidon, and Maaysrah in northern Keserwan district.ShareSummary of the day so far …It is just approaching 2pm in Beirut, Tel Aviv and Gaza City. Here is a summary of the latest headlines:

The geographic scope of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah has widened, with the Israeli air force carrying out strikes farther north into Lebanon before, and Hezbollah targeting Tel Aviv with a missile for the first time

There are reports of deaths, including that of an infant, after widespread Israeli strikes on Lebanon. The death toll from Israeli attacks this week has already nearly reached 600, with thousands more wounded and tens of thousands of people forced to flee their homes

Israel’s military said a single surface-to-surface missile was intercepted by air defence systems, and it was “a heavy missile, going towards Tel Aviv, towards civilian areas in Tel Aviv”. In addition at least 40 projectiles have been fired into northern Israel from the direction of Lebanon, and Israel’s military also intercepted a drone it said came from the direction of Syria. Two people are reported to have been moderately wounded.

Israel continues to bombard the Gaza Strip as well as Lebanon. The Hamas-led health ministry in the Gaza Strip has reported the killing of 85 people and the injury of 104 others by military action in the past 24 hours. The total figures since 7 October are given by the ministry as at least 41,495 Palestinians killed and 96,006 wounded

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel has severely criticised prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his plans to attend the UN general assembly in person. “While the country is burning and 101 hostages have been abandoned in the Hamas death tunnels for 355 days, the prime minister chooses another unnecessary show trip to the US,” it said in a statement

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has proclaimed Hezbollah to be “victorious”, and said “Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which is standing up firmly for Gaza and putting itself in the middle of these bitter events, is taking part in jihad on the path of God”

Russia has advised its citizens to leave Lebanon. There are about 3,000 Russian citizens in the country

International travel has become limited with most airlines suspending flights to and from Beirut International airport. Lebanon’s own Middle East Airlines continues to serve destinations in the Middle East, Paris, Athen and Larnaca

Pope Francis called Israeli strikes on Lebanon a “terrible escalation” of the Middle East conflict. He did not specifically identify Israel, but said he was “saddened by news from Lebanon in recent days that bombardments have caused much destruction and many victims”

UK for UNHCR has launched an emergency appeal for aid for Lebanon. Emma Cherniavsky, the chief executive, said “These devastating bombings in Lebanon are claiming innocent lives and forcing thousands to flee their homes. This is a region that has already been devastated by war, and the toll on civilians is unacceptable”
ShareIsraeli media reports that two people have been moderately wounded after a barrage of rockets was fired into northern Israel. The impacts were in kibbutz Sa’ar, close to Nahariya.ShareAl Jazeera reports that the Hamas-led government media office in Gaza has said it has refused to receive a container of 88 bodies from Israeli authorities because Israel is not disclosing the names, ages or origins of the bodies. In a statement it called this an “inhumane and criminal move”.ShareLebanon’s state National News Agency reports that six people, including an infant, have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in Bint Jbeil. The claim has not been independently verified.ShareRussia has advised its citizens to leave Lebanon due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov earlier said “All measures are now being taken to recommend our citizens to leave the territory of Lebanon as soon as possible, using the available opportunities of commercial transportation. This is necessary to ensure the safety of these citizens.”When questioned at his daily press briefing, Tass reports, Peskov said there were 3,000 Russians in the country.ShareThe IDF has announced that it has begun “conducting strikes in the area of Nabatieh” in Lebanon.ShareReports on Wednesday morning so far appear to show a widened arena of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The militant group claimed to have targeted the Mossad in Tel Aviv. The Israeli military said a single surface-to-surface missile was intercepted by air defence systems, and it was “a heavy missile, going towards Tel Aviv, towards civilian areas in Tel Aviv.”Missile intercepted above Tel Aviv as Hezbollah targets city for first time – video Meanwhile, in Lebanon, at least three people have been killed and nine injured by an Israeli strike on the town of Maysaara, which is in the mountains north of Beirut, the farthest north Israel has struck since the beginning of fighting.ShareIran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has added to his earlier comments about Hezbollah with a post on his official social media channels which says “Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which is standing up firmly for Gaza and putting itself in the middle of these bitter events, is taking part in jihad on the path of God,” adding in Arabic “Hezbollah is victorious.”Lebanon’s #Hezbollah, which is standing up firmly for #Gaza and putting itself in the middle of these bitter events, is taking part in jihad on the path of God.— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 25, 2024

حزب الله منتصر.— الإمام الخامنئي (@ar_khamenei) September 25, 2024

ShareIsrael continues to bombard the Gaza Strip as well as Lebanon. The Hamas-led health ministry in the Gaza Strip has reported the killing of 85 people and the injury of 104 others by military action in the past 24 hours. It has not been possible for journalists to independently verify the casualty figures being issued during the conflict.The total figures since 7 October are given by the ministry as at least 41,495 Palestinians killed and 96,006 wounded. During the same time period, Israel says “346 soldiers have fallen in combat” during its ground offensive in GazaPalestinian news agency Wafa reports “Thousands of victims are still trapped under the rubble or scattered on the roads, as ambulance and civil defence teams are facing difficulties in reaching them due to the continued Israeli attacks, the massive amount of debris and the shortage of fuel and heavy equipment.”ShareHere are some of the latest images sent to us over the news wires from Lebanon.Damage is seen at the site of an Israeli strike that hit the Lebanese seaside town of Jiyeh early on Wednesday. Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/ReutersA cloud of smoke erupts during an Israeli airstrike on the Rihan hills area in Jezzine in southern Lebanon. Photograph: Rabih Daher/AFP/Getty ImagesSmoke billows from damaged buildings over southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike, as seen from Tyre. Photograph: Aziz Taher/ReutersShareIran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday “The organisational strength and human resources of Hezbollah is very strong and will not be critically hit by the killing of a senior commander, even if that is clearly a loss,” Reuters reports.Share