Israel-Gaza-Lebanon updates: IDF orders evacuations in Beirut as huge blast hits city

Over 1,000 people in Lebanon have been killed in the last two weeks.

ByNadine El-Bawab, Emily Shapiro, David Brennan, Julia Reinstein, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: October 6, 2024, 7:29 PM EDT

Israel's Lebanon operation continues as leaders consider their response to Iran's long-range attack on Tuesday, in which hundreds of missiles were fired into the country, according to Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations.

Iran said the unprecedented attack was retaliation for a wave of assassinations carried out by Israel over the last several weeks targeting Hezbollah, including leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Most of the missiles were intercepted, but "several hits were identified, and the damage is being assessed," an Israeli security official said.

Tune in to ABC News Live at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, for "Oct 7th: Race to Survive" -- special coverage of the anniversary of the conflict. Veteran correspondent Matt Gutman highlights voices of Israelis and Palestinians impacted by the war and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Oct 01, 2024, 6:23 PM EDT

2 US Navy destroyers fired missile interceptors: Pentagon

Two U.S. Navy destroyers fired "approximately a dozen" missile interceptors at the incoming ballistic missile barrage aimed at Israel, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a briefing earlier Tuesday.

Ryder said the two destroyers that launched missile interceptors were the USS Bulkeley and USS Cole.

A Navy official told ABC News they believe the two destroyers shot down multiple Iranian missiles.

No U.S. personnel were injured during the Iranian missile attack, Ryder said.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Oct 01, 2024, 6:06 PM EDT

Iran fired 220 missiles in 2 waves: US official

Iran fired 220 total missiles in two waves over 30 minutes, with a brief pause between the waves, according to a U.S. official.

A projectile is intercepted by Israel near the northern city of Baqa al-Gharbiya, Oct. 1, 2024.
Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images

There were some direct impacts near Tel Aviv, though they caused no major damage, the official said.

Many missiles were intercepted over Jordan, the official said.

Among the casualties from the attack, a Palestinian was killed in Jericho, and there are reports of a Bedouin killed in the Negev, according to the official.

Editor's note: This post has been updated.

-ABC News' Martha Raddatz

Oct 01, 2024, 5:33 PM EDT

IDF issues evacuation warning for southern Beirut suburbs

The Israel Defense Forces have issued an evacuation warning for residents in southern Lebanon.

The "urgent warning" was issued to residents of southern Beirut suburbs Tuesday night local time.

A similar warning was also sent on Monday.

Oct 01, 2024, 5:02 PM EDT

Netanyahu: 'Iran made a big mistake'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran's attack "failed" while vowing to respond.

"Iran made a big mistake tonight -- and it will pay for it," he said in a statement. "The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to retaliate against our enemies."

"We will stand by the rule we established: Whoever attacks us -- we will attack him," he added.

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