Israel Launches Largest Attack on Lebanon Since War with Hezbollah, Over 250 Killed

Israel Launches Largest Attack on Lebanon Since War with Hezbollah, Over 250 Killed

Warplanes levelled several buildings in the centre of Beirut, killing at least 254 people and wounding 837, in Israel's largest attack on Lebanon since its war with Hezbollah began.

Iranian officials warned Tehran could withdraw from the ceasefire agreed with the US overnight, following the assault prompted by Israel's surprise strike on the pro-Iranian group Hezbollah.

The Lebanese capital was filled with cars crumpled by the blasts and the flaming wreckage of buildings that first responders struggled to extinguish, as Israel bombed more than 100 Hezbollah military sites around the country.

Hospitals in Lebanon put out urgent calls for blood donations, while the ministry of health urged people to 'clear the streets' so ambulances could reach the injured.

People rushed home to check on their families, as a man was filmed as he ran towards a struck building in the Chiyah neighbourhood, screaming: 'There are people inside!'

Iran Warns of Possible Withdrawal from Ceasefire Agreement

Iranian sources told the country's Tasnim news agency that Iran was ready to exit the ceasefire agreement if Israel 'persists in violating the truce in Lebanon', and the crisis was discussed by Iran's foreign minister and his Pakistani counterpart.

Israel Threatens Hezbollah's Leader

Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, said the two theatres – Iran and Lebanon – were separate and said the aim was to 'change the reality in Lebanon and remove threats from the residents of the north'. He directly threatened Hezbollah's leader, saying 'We warned Naim Qassem that Hezbollah will pay a very heavy price for attacking Israel.'

BREAKING: Israel Launches Largest Attack on Lebanon Since War with Hezbollah