Relentless Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut's southern suburbs overnight and closed off the main highway linking Lebanon with Syria, forcing fleeing civilians to cross the border by foot. The airstrikes came as the supreme leader of Iran, which backs the anti-Israel militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah, praised the country’s recent missile strike on Israel and said Friday it was ready to do it again if necessary. Hamas launched a surprise attack into Israel almost exactly a year ago, killing 1,200 Israelis, taking 250 people hostage, and setting off a war with Israel that has shattered much of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed since then in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between fighters and civilians. It says more than half were women and children. In late September, Israel shifted some of its focus to Hezbollah, which holds much of the power in parts of southern Lebanon and some other areas of the country, attacking the militants with exploding pagers, airstrikes and, eventually, incursions into Lebanon. Here’s what to know: What is the latest on Israel’s operations in Lebanon? Israel said it targeted the crossing with Syria because Hezbollah militants were using it to bring in weapons, and that its jets had also struck a smuggling tunnel. Much of Hezbollah's weaponry is believed to come from Iran through Syria. Tens of thousands of people fleeing war in Lebanon have crossed into Syria over the past two weeks. Israeli officials said they were targeting Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in the Beirut suburb airstrikes. It did not say if any militants were killed, but it says it has killed 100 Hezbollah fighters in the last 24 hours. Nine Israeli soldiers have been killed in Lebanon. Two Israeli soldiers were also killed in a Thursday drone attack in northern Israel, military officials said. An umbrella group of Iranian-backed militias in Iraq calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq said it carried out three drone strikes Friday in northern Israel. The Israeli military launched a ground incursion into Lebanon earlier this week and has been fighting Hezbollah militants in a narrow strip of land along the border. A series of attacks before the incursion killed some of the group’s key members, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah. Hezbollah, in a display of solidarity, began launching rockets into northern Israel just after Hamas' Oct. 7 cross-border attack. On Thursday, Israel extended its evacuation warnings to communities in southern Lebanon, including and beyond an area that the United Nations had declared a buffer zone after Israel and Hezbollah fought a brief 2006 war. Lebanese officials say nearly 1.2 million people have been displaced from their homes because of the fighting. What happened in the airstrike on a West Bank cafe? A Thursday airstrike on a West bank cafe, which Israeli officials said had targeted Palestinian militants, also killed a family of four, including two young children, relatives said. The Palestinian health ministry said at least 18 Palestinians had been killed. The Israeli military said the airstrike in the Tulkarem refugee camp killed several militants, including Hamas’ leader in the camp, whom it accused of involvement in in multiple attacks on Israeli civilians, and of planning an attack on Israel on the anniversary of the Oct. 7 assault. Tulkarem, a militant stronghold, is frequently targeted by the Israeli military. Airstrikes used to be rare in the Palestinian territory, but they have grown more common as Israeli forces clamp down, saying they want to prevent attacks on their citizens. Israeli fire has killed at least 722 Palestinians in the West Bank since Oct. 7, Palestinian health officials say. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. What is Iran saying? A top Iranian official warned Friday that it would harshly retaliate if Israel attacks Iran. “If the Israeli entity takes any step or measure against us, our retaliation will be stronger than the previous one,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in Beirut after meeting Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Araghchi's visit came three days after Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israel, the latest in a series of rapidly escalating attacks that threaten to push the Middle East closer to a regionwide war. What did Biden say about Netanyahu? President Joe Biden said he couldn't say if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was holding up a Mideast peace deal to influence the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. “No administration has helped Israel more than I have. None. None. None. And I think Bibi should remember that,” Biden told reporters Friday, using the Israeli leader's nickname. “And whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know, but I’m not counting on that.” Biden, who has long pushed for a diplomatic agreement, and whose relationship with Netanyahu has grown increasingly complicated, was responding to comments made by one of his allies, Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut. “I don’t think you have to be a hopeless cynic to read some of Israel’s actions, some of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions, as connected to the American election,” Murphy said on CNN. A peace deal would help smooth divisions in the Democratic Party and could increase electoral support for Vice President Kamala Harris. Netanyahu, though, worries his far-right coalition would stop supporting him if he signed an agreement, leaving him out of power and facing his own legal problems. Netanyahu has a markedly closer relationship with former President Donald Trump than he does with Biden.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Iran will face consequences for its recent missile strikes targeting Israeli military facilities, escalating tensions between the two nations. In response, Tehran has warned that any retaliation by Israel or its allies will be met with "vast destruction," signalling a significant escalation in an already volatile region. Iran's Revolutionary Guards issued a stark warning on Wednesday, stating that any Israeli response would trigger "crushing attacks" from Tehran. The missile barrage, which targeted multiple Israeli military bases, prompted Netanyahu to promise swift retribution, even as Iran claimed the attack was a defensive measure and concluded unless provoked further. The Escalating Conflict: A Summary Missile Barrage: Iran launched a series of missile attacks on Tuesday, targeting three military bases near Tel Aviv and key air and radar installations. According to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), "90 per cent" of the missiles successfully hit their intended targets, though no injuries have been reported by Israeli authorities. Link to Hamas Leader's Assassination: Tehran attributed the missile strike to what it described as an "attack on the sovereignty" of Iran, referencing the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in July. The Iranian government framed its military actions as defensive, undertaken only "after a period of restraint." Warnings from Iran: Tehran has cautioned that any Israeli or allied retaliation would result in "vast destruction." The Iranian armed forces also warned other nations against intervening in the conflict, stating that their "interests in the region will also face a powerful attack." Iran fires at least 180 missiles into Israel as regionwide conflict grows Iran’s Stance: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a televised address, stated, "Iran is not a warmonger, but it firmly opposes any threats. This is merely a glimpse of our strength. Do not provoke Iran." He further added that Iran's missile strike was a "decisive response" to Israeli "aggression." Israel’s Response and International Reactions Following the Iranian missile strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered a firm warning, declaring, "Iran made a big mistake tonight and will pay for it. Whoever attacks us, we attack them." Israel’s security cabinet convened an emergency meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the escalating situation. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has since ordered evacuations in parts of Lebanon, including Beirut, as it continues to strike suspected Hezbollah targets and pushes ahead with its ground incursion. Meanwhile, the United States, which had previously warned of an imminent Iranian ballistic missile attack, described the assault as "defeated and ineffective." White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also cautioned Tehran, warning of severe repercussions if the situation deteriorates further. Aftermath of the Attack Iran reportedly fired more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, targeting key airbases and the headquarters of the Israeli spy agency Mossad. Explosions were heard across Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the Jordan River Valley. Although Israel's military published footage of a school in the central city of Gadera heavily damaged by an Iranian missile, no injuries have been reported within Israel itself. Israeli military warns several Lebanese communities near the border to evacuate The IDF confirmed that its missile defence systems carried out "a large number of interceptions" to prevent further damage. The US stated it assisted in intercepting some of the missiles to help defend Israel. However, a Palestinian was reported killed in the occupied West Bank during the attacks, according to local authorities. Context and Further Developments Tuesday's attack by Iran followed Israel’s recent airstrikes that targeted Hezbollah’s leadership in Lebanon, killing several high-ranking members, including the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Hezbollah has long been considered a proxy of Iran in the region, and the death of its senior figures has further inflamed the conflict between Israel and Iran. The situation remains tense as both sides brace for further developments. Diplomatic efforts are underway, but with each side issuing threats of retribution, the likelihood of a broader conflict appears to be growing. The international community has urged restraint, but with both Tehran and Tel Aviv standing firm, the prospect of de-escalation seems increasingly remote.