'Won't Support an Attack by Israel on Iranian Nuclear Sites,' says US President Joe Biden | LIVE

The US has criticized Israel's decision to bar UN Secretary General from entering the country. “Steps like these are not productive to [Israel] improving its standing in the world,” said US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. 

“The UN does incredibly important work in Gaza. It does incredibly important work in the region. And the UN, when it’s acting at its best, can play an important role for security and stability,” he added. 

The death toll from Israeli strike on Damascus has gone up to 3, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and state news media.

According to a report from the New York Times, US President Joe Biden has said that he won't support an attack by Israel on Iranian nuclear sites. He added that US and other G7 nations, support Israel's right to response, but, the response must be proportional. 

The White House has said that Biden, during a phone conversation with fellow G7 leaders, discussed rolling out new sanctions against Iran. 

“Biden and the G7 unequivocally condemned Iran’s attack against Israel. President Biden expressed the United States’ full solidarity and support to Israel and its people, and reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security,” reads a statement from the White House. 

The terrorist organization Hamas has taken responsibility for the terror attack in Tel Aviv last night. The duo (Mohammad Mesek and Ahmed Himouni) who carried out the attack on innocents were from Hebron.  

Due to the brutal attack, 7 people lost their life. 

Israel's ground incursion into Lebanon to battle Hezbollah militants left eight Israeli soldiers dead on Wednesday, while the region braced for further escalation as Israel vowed to retaliate for Iran's ballistic missile attack a day earlier. The Israeli military said, seven soldiers were killed in two separate attacks, without elaborating. The assaults were among the deadliest against Israeli forces in months. Another seven troops, including a combat medic, were wounded. Earlier, the military had announced that a 22-year-old captain in a commando brigade was killed in Lebanon, the first Israeli combat death since the start of the incursion.

The chief of staff at the Tel Nof base said, "We have the ability to reach and attack any point in the Middle East. And those of our enemies who have not understood this until now will understand it soon. We know that the holiday is not complete without the abductees. We are obliged to continue and do everything to return them, and we grieve for the voids that have fallen." 

Former Israeli Ambassador to India, Daniel Carmon said, "For two hours, we were closed in a bomb shelter, getting news on TV. 10 million people, which is the whole population of Israel were in shelters last night for two hours, this is incredible and impossible. Yesterday, it was the biggest ballistic and missile attack in human history. Luckily, we have an air defence system having three to four layers. Here and there you can see a little damage but no real damage and loss of life except one Palestinian worker. The city looks normal, as if nothing has happened but deep inside we are worried. We are not sure if Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran, or Iraq will launch or not launch new missiles. The situation is very complicated and we are very worried but one thing I am very clear about - Iran will have to pay the price for what it did yesterday. I don't have to be an official spokesperson to tell you that. Iran was warned not to do what it did yesterday by the international community."

On Wednesday, the sons of Iran’s leader Ayat Khamenei visited Hezbollah's office in Tehran to pay tribute to the slain chief of the group, Hassan Nasrallah.

An Israeli airstrike on Syria's capital, Damascus, has resulted in the death of two people. Report from New York Times suggests that the missile struck a residential building. 

The Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has released a video statement, ahead of the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), which begins during sunset. 

“I would like to send my condolences from the bottom of my heart to the families of our heroes who fell today in Lebanon.  God bless their blood. May their memory be blessed.  We are in the middle of a tough war against Iran's axis of evil, which seeks to destroy us. This will not happen - because we will stand together, and with God's help - we will win together.  We will return our abductees in the south, we will return our residents in the north, we will guarantee the eternity of Israel," he said. 

The G7 countries — US, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and Canada have released a statement that says a diplomatic solution, to the widening conflict in Middle East, is still possible. 

"A conflict on a regional scale is in no one’s interest and that a diplomatic solution is still possible,” the statement reads. 

The IDF has announced that, today, 7 more Israeli soldiers laid down their lives in the fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

According to a report from Times of Israel, they are -

• Cpt. Harel Etinger, 23, a team commander in the Egoz Commando Unit, from Eli. 
• Cpt. Itai Ariel Giat, 23, of the Yahalom Combat Engineering Unit, from Shoham. 
• Sgt. First Class Noam Barzilay, 22, of the Egoz Commando Unit, from Kohav Yair.
• Sgt. First Class Or Mantzur, 21, of the Egoz Commando Unit, from Beit Aryeh. 
• Sgt. First Class Nazar Itkin, 21, of the Egoz Commando Unit, from Kiryat Atta. 
• Staff Sgt. Almken Terefe, 21, of the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance unit, from Jerusalem. 
• Staff Sgt. Ido Broyer, 21, of the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance unit, from Nes Tziona.

On Friday, Iran will hold a public memorial service for Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah who was assassinated by Israel, last Friday. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will lead the prayers and deliver a sermon. 

The 6th victim of the Tel Aviv terror attack has been identified as Jonas Chrosis, a 26-year-old Greek citizen.

He was an architecture student in Tel Aviv. 

“He expressed infinite optimism in the face of every difficulty that came his way. He was talented, funny, and humble. He was always kind to the people around him and was a loyal friend who saw the good in everyone. He was a talented piano player,” one of his classmates said. 

The official account of the state of Israel has responded to PM Modi's greeting by writing “Thank you, PM  @narendramodi !  Today and always, we are grateful for your friendship and the friendship of the Indian people.”

PM Modi has extended New Year greeting to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, the people of Israel and the Jewish community around the world.

Former US President Donald Trump will participate in a memorial event dedicated to victims of the October 7th attack. The vigil will take place in Miami. Since the attack, anti-Semitism has gone up in many parts of the world. 

The Israeli military has announced its first combat death since launching ground operations in Lebanon this week.

The military said on Wednesday that Captain Eitan Itzhak Oster, a 22-year-old in a commando brigade, was killed in combat in Lebanon.

The military didn’t immediately provide other details.

Israel mulls attacking Iran's nuclear sites, oil rigs, in response to missile attack: Report  

The Lebanese militant Hezbollah group claims its fighters killed and wounded an unspecified number of Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah said they detonated an explosive device as Israeli troops tried crossing deeper into Lebanon toward the southern village of Yaroun on Wednesday.

the statement came soon after Israel announced the death of its first soldier in the ground incursion

South Korea calls on nationals to leave Iran 

Germany calls on nationals to leave Iran 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni convened a virtual meeting of G7 leaders on Wednesday to address the escalating crisis in the Middle East, following a direct attack on Israel by Iran. Meloni said, “Italy will continue to work for a diplomatic solution." 

Sirens sounded in HaMifratz and the Upper Galilee, northern Israel.

Israeli police say 7 people died in Tuesday’s shooting attack in a Tel Aviv suburb

Israel’s foreign minister says he has barred the United Nations secretary-general from entering Israel, accusing him of being biased against the country.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei slams US presence in the Mideast in his first remarks since missile attack on Israel. He said Western presence is a source of “conflicts, wars, concerns and enmities” and added that “regional nations can manage themselves and ... live together in peace.”

Hezbollah's Media Relations Official, Muhammad Afif, expressed confidence in the group's command structure and resilience amidst escalating tensions. Speaking to reporters, Afif characterized the current conflict as just the beginning, asserting, “The resistance and the command and control system are fine.”

Afif noted that although the enemy may have gained the upper hand in initial confrontations, including targeted assassinations and destruction, he emphasized that the conflict is still in its early stages. “We are only in the first round, and victory will be our ally,” he stated.

Highlighting recent incidents in Al-Adissa and Maroun al-Ras, Afif indicated that these events mark the start of a larger confrontation. He urged followers to remain vigilant and act with wisdom, deliberation, and courage as operations continue.
 

Hezbollah says its fighters are clashing with Israeli forces trying to infiltrate the border town of Maroun Al Ras.*

It comes after the militant group claimed to have pushed back Israeli troops attempting to enter the town of Adaisseh. It also said it had fired a missile salvo at parts of northern Israel.

Israel has boosted its presence in southern Lebanon by adding regular infantry and armoured units to its ground operation, in a sign that it may move beyond "limited" raids.

The death toll climbs to 51 in an Israeli army operation in Gaza, health officials say

Spain is preparing to evacuate up to 350 citizens from Lebanon, with plans to deploy two military aircraft as early as Thursday, announced Defence Minister Margarita Robles on Wednesday.

In the wake of the escalating tensions in West Asia, India on Wednesday advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran.

In an advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also urged the Indian nationals presently residing in Iran to remain vigilant and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran.

The advisory came a day after Iran fired around 200 missiles into Israel in response to Israel's killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and other commanders of the militant outfit.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran will "pay" for the missile strikes.

"We are closely monitoring the recent escalation in security situation in the region," the MEA said.

The Israeli military has warned people to evacuate another 24 villages across southern Lebanon.

The warning on Wednesday came days after the military launched what it said were limited ground operations near the border to combat the Hezbollah militant group.

Iran on Wednesday announced cancellations of all flight operations in the country until 5 am local time tomorrow (October 3), as reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency. This decision follows a day after Tehran fired at least 180 missiles at Israel. Earlier last night, Israel's Ben Gurion Airport experienced a brief shutdown, and Israeli airspace was closed for a little over an hour due to the attack.

Major airlines, including Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates, and Swiss, have announced their flight suspensions as regional tensions escalate, compounded by Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza since October 7 of last year.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday issued a travel advisory for Indians urging them to avoid travelling to Iran amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

"We are closely monitoring the recent escalation in security situation in the region. Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran. Those currently residing in Iran are requested to remain vigilant and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran," it said in the statement.
 

Over 30 people were killed in Israeli strikes in southern Gaza overnight and into Wednesday, Palestinian medical officials said.

The European Hospital in the hard-hit city of Khan Younis said it received the bodies after heavy Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in the city. It said the dead include several women and children, and that dozens of people were wounded.

Several airlines including Lufthansa, Emirates, All Egyptair,  Iran Air, Iraqi Airways and many more extended their suspension of flights to and from Israel and Lebanon amid soaring tensions in the Middle East.

Israel launched fresh airstrikes in Gaza at a Hamas "command and control complex" that was "previously" used as a high school, the Israeli military said in a post on X. 
 

The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting at the request of Israel and Fraxcne amid rising tensions in the Middle East at the New York headquarters at around 10 am local time. 

The new Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba released a statement on Wednesday calling the attack on Israel "unacceptable." The PM also offered to collaborate with the United States as a mediator and stop an actual war from occurring.

“I spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today following today’s outrageous act of aggression by Iran against Israel.  The Minister and I expressed mutual appreciation for the coordinated defense of Israel against nearly 200 ballistic missiles launched by Iran and committed to remain in close contact.  I also expressed my deepest condolences to the families impacted by the horrific and deadly terrorist shooting in Israel.”, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin
 

The Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Guards, Major General Hossein Salami, announced the launch of 200 missiles towards the occupied territories.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in a tweet said that Iran has concluded its action unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation.

"Earlier this evening, we exercised self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, targeting solely military & security sites in charge of genocide in #Gaza and #Lebanon. We did so after exercising tremendous restraint for almost two months, to give space for a ceasefire in Gaza."

"Our action is concluded unless Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation. In that scenario, our response will be stronger and more powerful," he added.

After executing what it calls as self-defence, Iran has asked the US to not get involved in its conflict with Israel.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in a message to
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said, "Message exchanges do not mean coordination. No message was sent prior to our response (to Israel). After this response, a warning was conveyed via Switzerland telling Americans that it was our right to self-defence and that we do not intend to continue (the attack)."
 

The rising tensions in the middle east took centre stage at the vice presidential debate between Tim QWalz and JD Vance. When asked about the ongoing conflict between the countries the two defended their party's stance on leadership and foreign policy. However, the two still did not answer head-on regarding support for Israel striking back at Iran.

Reacting to the recent escalation in conflict in the Middle East as Israel is engaged in retaliation from militant groups Hamas and Iran-backed Hezbollah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday expressed his concern over the instability, in terms of peace, in the region.

Speaking at the conversation at the Carnegie Endowment in the US, Jaishankar described Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel as a “terrorist attack".

Expressing full support for Biden's order to shoot down Iranian missiles targeting Israel, US Presidential candidate, VP Kamala Harris said, “I condemn this attack unequivocally. Iran is a destabilizing, dangerous force in the Middle East. Today's attack on Israel only further demonstrates that fact.”

She further added, "My commitment to Israel’s security is unwavering. Iran is a threat not only to Israel but also to American personnel and interests in the region."

Reacting to Iran's latest episode of aggression, Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese said, "We condemn Iran's actions. The defense of Israel, supported by the United States, appears to have prevented any civilian casualties at this stage. There has already been too much loss of life in this region."

He further urged for a de-escalation, reaffirming Israel’s right to defend itself.

US President Joe Biden on late Tuesday backed Israel following Iran's massive missile attack. He said, "The attack appears to have been defeated, a testament to the strength of the Israeli military and our close cooperation. Make no mistake, the US stands fully with Israel."

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in a video statement vowed revenge following Iran's massive missile attack. He said, “Iran made a big mistake tonight - and it will pay for it.”