Live updates Israel-Iran war: Israeli attacks on Lebanon kill 40 people around Baalbek, health ministry says

Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Hezbollah announced on Wednesday that its militant force, numbering tens of thousands, was ready to engage with Israel. They emphasized that the US election results would have no impact on the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.

The organization’s leadership, backed by Iran, issued a statement indicating that all Israeli areas were potential targets. The Israeli army reported on Wednesday that about 120 projectiles had crossed the border.

Following an evacuation notice, Israeli forces carried out military operations in Hezbollah’s main stronghold in southern Beirut.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has continued since the end of September, when Israeli forces expanded their operations in Gaza to secure the northern Lebanese border.

Hezbollah launched small cross-border attacks on Israel last year, showing solidarity with their Palestinian allies Hamas after the October 7, 2023 incident.

Peace negotiations on the Gaza conflict, which started with the Hamas attack, remain unsuccessful. The Lebanese conflict has resulted in nearly 2,000 casualties, according to Lebanese Health Ministry data collected by AFP.

“We have tens of thousands of trained resistance fighters” prepared for battle, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said in a televised address commemorating 40 days since the death of his predecessor Hassan Nasrallah in a military attack.

The broadcast took place after the announcement of Donald Trump’s election victory, although it was pre-recorded.

Qassem indicated that the election outcome between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris would not affect possible ceasefire arrangements in Lebanon.

“We do not base our expectations for a cessation of aggression on political developments,” he said.

“Whether Harris wins or Trump wins, it means nothing to us.

“What will stop this… war is the battlefield,” he declared, referring to the fighting in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel.

Earlier Wednesday, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacking a military installation near Israel’s main airport, adjacent to the commercial center of Tel Aviv. Israeli airport authorities confirmed that this incident had no impact on operations.