Middle East crisis: IDF troops and Hezbollah clash 'in close-range' inside Lebanon

That’s all from us at the Euronews blogging team. We are going to close the live blog for today.

We hope to have kept you abreast of the major developments occurring in the Middle East.

Pakistan has expressed deep concern over “escalating hostilities” in the Middle East, urging all parties to prioritise peace, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pakistan shares a long border with Iran and has no diplomatic ties with Israel.

In a statement, the ministry says Israel has “increasingly acted in violation of international law and the UN Charter, resulting in grave humanitarian crisis.”

“Israel has endangered regional peace and security with the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” the statement reads.  

Meanwhile, Germany is flying roughly 130 citizens out of Lebanon on a military plane, with other aircrafts being prepared as needed.

Roughly 111 people were flown from Beirut to Berlin on Monday. Passengers included families of German diplomats, nonessential staff and others. 

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency, in conjunction with the European Commission, announced its recommendation that commercial operators do not fly in the airspace above Iran at "all flight levels".

According to the recent online announcement, EASA’s decision was prompted by Iran’s overnight missile attack and Israel’s intention to retaliate. It is expected to stay in place until 31 October, 2024 – but can be reviewed earlier. 

The French Embassy in Tehran has told French nationals living in Iran to immediately leave the country. The announcement also warns against French nationals from traveling through the country, but if absolutely necessary, that they avoid attending gatherings and remain "vigilant".

“Leave Iranian territory as soon as the airspace is opened,” the announcement states. 

It follows other embassies, such as the Polish embassy in Iran's capital, similarly cautioning their nationals from traveling to Iran.

Israel’s representative to the United Nations Danny Danon said at a UN special emergency meeting in New York that world leaders needed to impose sanctions on Iran for overnight missile attacks – and that “the time for de-escalation is over”.

“Israel will defend itself,” he said. “Those who attack us will face severe consequences.”

A United Nations Security Council special meeting – aimed at diffusing the widening conflict in the Middle East – is currently underway in the US.

In New York, UN chief António Guterres condemned Iran's recent overnight attack, stating one person died and millions of people were forced to seek shelter. The attack also threatens to spill into all-out war engulfing the region.

"The raging fires in the Middle East are fast becoming an inferno," he said, adding, "Civilians are paying a terrible price – which I utterly condemn."

It follows UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk imploring all states to act “resolutely” to prevent wider conflict in the region.

The Israeli military said seven soldiers have been killed and another eight confirmed wounded amid combat with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The deaths were announced Wednesday, a day after Israel said it had launched a "limited" ground incursion across its northern border.

The news comes as Israel sends more troops and artillery to the border area.

Hezbollah has inflicted further casualties on IDF soldiers trying to encircle the southern Lebanese village of Yaroun, according to the militant group.

It said it took Israeli forces by surprise, killing all present with an explosive device.

This would be the third direct confrontation that Hezbollah has claimed today. None have been confirmed by the Israeli military, yet both sides have said they are engaging in "close-range" attacks.

Germany says Israel's decision to bar UN Secretary-General António Guterres from entering the country is unhelpful.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israel's foreign minister, Israel Katz, said he was declaring Guterres "persona non grata".

In Germany, a staunch ally of Israel, foreign ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer acknowledged those tensions and said that “this step isn't particularly helpful, because in the end more talks are needed and not fewer talks".

He added that "we shouldn't deprive ourselves of channels of dialogue that could possibly contribute to bringing about a solution".

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.

The developments in the region have also caused chaos for travellers.

Flights over the Middle East had to abandon their journeys yesterday after Iran launched a missile attack against Israel.

The airspace above Iran, Israel, Jordan, Iraq and other countries in the region was closed, causing airlines to change their flight paths to keep passengers and crew safe.

What does the Iran airspace closure mean for air travel?

Diversions can add hours to journey times for passengers.…

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has travelled to Brussels to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Wednesday, as part of his new Labour government's mission to "reset" relations with Europe after 14 years of souring under the previous Tory administration.

Speaking to the press ahead of their meeting, which will also cover joint EU-UK approaches to global affairs, von der Leyen again said that she "strongly condemns" Iran's attack on Israel.

"The spiral of violence is threatening the lives of innocent civilians," she said. "It is also leading to a generalised conflict in the region and this must be avoided [at] all costs."

Von der Leyen reiterated the EU's call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and Israel and Hamas, as well as the release of all hostages by Hamas.

Starmer took the opportunity to join the Commission president in her condemnation of the Iranian strikes on Israel.

"We do need to pull back from the brink and encourage all parties to find a way to deescalate and for a political solution to the very many fronts of the crisis in the Middle East," he said. "And of course, foremost in our minds are the hostages that are held after such a very, very long time."

"They should be released immediately and unconditionally," he added.

Early indications suggest Tuesday's attack was far more calculated and bold than the one in April.

The sight of hundreds of Iranian missiles flying over Israel and the continuous sound of sirens in major Israeli cities made this assault far more serious than previous retaliations.

Some critics have cynically described Iran's missile strike as an elaborate, expensive spectacle intended for public consumption.

Others are worried this is the final nail in the coffin that will spark the region's biggest war in decades. But why did Tehran choose to escalate now?

Read more below:

What calculations are behind Tehran’s major missile strike on Israel?

Some critics have cynically described Iran’s missile strike as an elaborate, expensive spectacle intended for public consumption. Others are worried this……

In operation since 2011, the Iron Dome is Israel's first line of defence against enemy rockets.

Developed by state-owned Israeli defence company, Rafael, it has proved particularly effective over the years, and once again on Tuesday it intercepted most of Iran's missiles. Israeli authorities have claimed that the military technology boasts a 90% success rate at intercepting enemy rockets.

Euronews Next spoke to an expert to understand how the system works.

The Iron Dome: How does Israel’s missile defence system work?

In operation since 2011, the Iron Dome is Israel’s first line of defence against rockets. We spoke to an expert to understand how the system works.…

Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz says he is barring UN Secretary-General António Guterres from entering the country, accusing him of being biased against Israel.

Katz said on Wednesday that he was declaring Guterres "persona non grata" and that he would be prevented from entering Israel.

"Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran's heinous attack on Israel, as almost every country in the world has done, does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil," he said in a post on X.

The move deepens an already wide rift between Israel and the United Nations.

Here's a handy article that will get you up to speed on everything you need to know about Iran's missile strike on Israel on Tuesday night.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised a severe response to the 180-missile barrage. One casualty has so far been reported.

What we know about Iran’s latest missile strike on Israel

Benjamin Netanyahu has promised a severe response to a 180-missile barrage, but what form it will take is as yet unclear.…

Crude oil prices have spiked following Iran's attack on Israel, with Brent futures on the ICE rising 2.9% to $73.56 per barrel, while WTI futures on the Nymex surged 3.5% to $70.92 per barrel on Tuesday.

For the time being, the impact on the oil market appears limited, as Israeli defences intercepted most missiles, with the one reported fatality of a Palestinian civilian in the West Bank.

Oil prices surge amid Iranian missile attack on Israel

Crude prices spiked due to concerns over a potential major production disruption following Iran’s missile attack on Israel. Analysts believe oil prices……

Two explosions have been heard near the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen, prompting a nearby Jewish school to close for the day, according to local police.

They said there had been no injuries and that they are still trying to establish whether there was a link between the blasts at around 3:20 am on Wednesday and the Israeli diplomatic mission. There are several other embassies in the area.

Two explosions heard near Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen

No-one is said to have been injured by the twin blasts, whose origin has not yet been made clear.…

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has thanked world leaders for their support of his country, saying, "we know who are friends are".

In a post on X copied and pasted to various politicians, such as the one below addressed to Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Katz said Israel would never forget the solidarity displayed by nations around the world.

"The Ayatollah regime has crossed the red line – and the State of Israel will not remain silent in the face of Iran's brutal attack on our citizens," he said. "The entire free world must stand with Israel to stop the Iranian axis of evil – before it’s too late."

Most of Iran's 180 missiles were intercepted, but some struck a school in Gedera in central Israel. Here are the images from the scene:

A damaged school building is seen after it was hit in Iran's missile attack in Gedera, Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that his country "stands with Israel" and recognises its right to self-defence.

"I am deeply concerned that the [Middle East] region is on the brink," he said, adding that the situation in Lebanon is "particularly grave".

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez echoed similar sentiments and called for an end to the "spiral of violence".

"To achieve peace, a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon is essential, as is respect for international law and international humanitarian law," he said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the attacks threaten a further escalation of an already tense situation in the Middle East.

Leaders across the continent have been quick to speak out about Iran's attack on Israel.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she condemned Iran's attack "in the strongest terms".

"Such actions threaten regional stability and escalate tensions in an already extremely volatile situation," she said. "I urge all parties to protect the life of innocent civilians."

"The European Union continues to call for a ceasefire across the border with Lebanon, and in Gaza, and for the release of all hostages that are held since almost a year," von der Leyen added.

Around 100,000 people have crossed the border into Syria in the past two weeks as Israel continues its offensive in Lebanon, according to the UN.

This perhaps shows the desperation of the situation: Syria itself is a war-torn country suffering from its own severe humanitarian crisis that was made worse by devastating earthquakes in 2023.

UN: Around 100,000 Lebanese refugees have fled to Syria

Over 1,000 Lebanese people have been killed and 6,000 wounded since Israel intensified cross-border attacks in southern Lebanon and Beirut, according……

Despite Iran's strikes, Israel continues its own offensive against Lebanon.

Explosions were heard in Beirut in the early hours of Wednesday, with fire and smoke visible along the city's skyline, as the IDF confirmed it was striking "Hezbollah targets".

IDF continues striking Beirut amid Iranian attacks on Israel

Israel’s military said it was striking Hezbollah targets in Beirut in the early hours on Wednesday, stating its operational capabilities have not been……

A woman looks from a damaged building that was hit during Iran's missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate against Iran for its missile attack on Israel on Tuesday evening, which he called a "big mistake".

“Whoever attacks us. We attack them,” Netanyahu said as he gathered his security cabinet for a late-night meeting.

He called the attack a "failure" and suggested that Iran could face the same fate as Gaza and Lebanon.

Read more about Israel's reaction to Iran's strikes here.

Netanyahu warns Iran will ‘pay’ for its huge missile attack on Israel

The Israeli military has vowed to retaliate to a missile attack from Iran, which Iran said was a “rational and legitimate response” to previous Israeli……

Israeli military and police work at a damaged school building that was hit by missiles fired from Iran in Gadera, Israel. The scale of the damage on Israel after Iran’s ballistic missile attack remains unclear.

Good morning and welcome to our live blog on the ongoing tension in the Middle East.

These are the key developments to know so far:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Iran "will pay" after Tehran fired some 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday.

Israel intercepted most of the missiles, although at least one Palestinian was killed in the West Bank, and a school in central Israel was struck.

Iran claims the strike was "legal, rational and legitimate", suggesting that it was in response to Israeli attacks on the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The clashes between Israel, Lebanon and Iran all of course fall against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, which has been taking place mostly in the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023.