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

Oct 06, 2024, 1:43 PM EDT
Israeli Defense Minister Gallant to meet with US counterpart in Washington
Oct 06, 2024, 1:19 PM EDT
Iran cancels overnight flights from all its airports
Oct 06, 2024, 2:52 AM EDT
IDF orders evacuation of northern Gaza
Oct 05, 2024, 4:02 PM EDT
Netanyahu: Israel has duty to respond to Iran attack
Oct 05, 2024, 2:10 PM EDT
Israel carries out fresh strikes on Beirut

Here's how the news is developing.

Oct 01, 2024, 3:27 PM EDT

Iran 'stands firmly against any threat': President Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a post on X that the attack on Israel was "based on legitimate rights and with the aim of peace and security for Iran and the region."

Pezeshkian also addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly in his post: "Let Netanyahu know that Iran is not belligerent, but it stands firmly against any threat."

Iranians celebrate on a street, after the IRGC attack on Israel, in Tehran, Iran, Oct. 1, 2024.
Majid Asgaripour/via Reuters

"This is only a tiny part of our power. Do not step into a conflict with Iran," Pezeshkian added.

-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian

Oct 01, 2024, 3:15 PM EDT

Israel appears to have 'defeated' Iran's attack: US

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel appears to have "effectively defeated" Iran's attack.

"A few hours ago, Iran -- for the second time in the space of five months -- launched a direct attack on Israel, including some 200 ballistic missiles. This is totally unacceptable and the entire world should condemn it," he said during a previously scheduled meeting with India's external affairs minister.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan also told reporters during a White House briefing that Iran's attack "appears to have been defeated and ineffective" based on the United States' early assessment.

Palestinians investigate a projectile, after Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles, in Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Oct. 1, 2024.
Raneen Sawafta/Reuters

Sullivan said the U.S. military worked closely with the IDF to defend Israel and was proud to do so, including in shooting down incoming missiles from U.S. naval destroyers positioned in the area, and that President Joe Biden will be involved in constant conversations with the Israelis about what should come next. He declined to provide any details about what level of response Biden will encourage.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston and Cheyenne Haslett

Oct 01, 2024, 3:14 PM EDT

Iran says it targeted 3 military bases around Tel Aviv

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted three Israeli military bases around Tel Aviv in its attack on Israel.

The Iranian Mission to the United Nations told ABC News that "no notice was given to the U.S. prior" to the attack, though a "serious warning was issued afterward."