Netanyahu says 'Iran made a big mistake', as Israel launches new strikes on Beirut

Two Israeli strikes hit southern Beirut on Wednesday after a military evacuation warning

Israel vowed to make Iran "pay" for firing a barrage of missiles at its territory, with Tehran warning on Wednesday it would launch an even bigger attack if it is targeted.

Iran launched its second direct attack on Israel in history on Tuesday, firing what it said were 200 missiles including hypersonic weapons, sending Israeli civilians into shelters.

Israel, which put the number of missiles fired at its territory at 180, bombarded Lebanese strongholds of Iran ally Hezbollah, with heavy strikes early Wednesday on south Beirut.

"Iran made a big mistake tonight and will pay for it," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Whoever attacks us, we attack them- Benjamin Netanyahu | Israeli Prime Minister

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who was at the command and control centre monitoring the interception of Iranian missiles, also vowed vengeance.

"Iran has not learned a simple lesson - those who attack the state of Israel, pay a heavy price," he said in a statement.

Get exclusive content with Gulf News WhatsApp channel

Hezbollah says in new clashes with Israeli troops

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said Wednesday its fighters were clashing with Israeli troops who had "infiltrated" a southern border village, after it said earlier it had repelled an attempted infiltration elsewhere.

Hezbollah "is engaged in clashes with the Israeli enemy's soldiers who infiltrated the village of Maroun al-Ras from the east", the Iran-backed group said, adding that the clashes were "ongoing".

Israel declares UN chief 'persona non grata'

Israel on Wednesday declared UN chief Antonio Guterres "persona non grata", banning him from entering the country for failing to condemn Iran's missile attack on Israel.

"Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran's heinous attack on Israel does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil. This is an anti-Israel Secretary-General who lends support to terrorists, rapists, and murderers," said Foreign Minister Israel Katz in a statement.

British forces involved in protecting Israel

UK armed forces "played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation" as Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel late Tuesday, British Defence Secretary John Healey said.

Britain has a major military base in Cyprus and UK fighter jets were involved in supporting Israel during Tuesday night's attack, British media reported.

In a statement late Tuesday, Healey condemned Iran's latest actions.

"British forces have this evening played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East," he added.

"I want to thank all British personnel involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism.

"The UK stands fully behind Israel's right to defend its country and its people against threats."

Israel strike targets Beirut southern suburbs

Lebanese official media said an Israeli strike Wednesday targeted Beirut's southern suburbs, after a night of repeated strikes on the area, where Hezbollah holds sway.

"Israeli aircraft targeted the southern suburbs with a strike," the National News Agency reported, while an AFP photographer saw more smoke rising from the area.

Israeli army expands evacuation call

The Israeli army on Wednesday called for the evacuation of additional villages in southern Lebanon, a day after a similar evacuation call after the military announced the launch of ground operations.

"Evacuate your homes immediately. Be careful, you must not go south. Any southward movement may put you in danger," said Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee in a post on social media, calling on residents to evacuate over 20 new villages and towns in south Lebanon.

No exchange of messages between Iran, US

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that there was "no exchange" of messages with the United States before Iran's missile attack on Israel.

"Before the attack, there was no exchange of messages," Araghchi told state TV, adding that Iran communicated with the US after the attack.

Iran warns US against intervening

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Tehran has warned the United States against intervening following Iran's attack on Israel.

"We have... warned the US forces to withdraw from this matter and not to intervene," Araghchi told state television, adding that the message was relayed through the Swiss embassy in Tehran.

Hezbollah clashes with Israeli troops

Hezbollah said Wednesday it clashed with Israeli soldiers who tried to infiltrate into Lebanon, and also targeted Israeli troops across the border, according to statements from the Iran-backed Lebanese group.

Hezbollah fighters confronted "an Israeli enemy infantry force that tried to infiltrate into the village of Adaysseh... and clashed with them", a statement said, adding separately that Hezbollah fighters also targeted Israeli forces at three different points across the border with rockets and artillery.

Iran chief of staff threatens to hit all Israel infrastructure if attacked

Iran's chief of staff on Wednesday vowed to hit infrastructure across Israel if its territory is attacked, after Tehran fired around 200 missiles at its arch-foe.

The barrage "will be repeated with bigger intensity and all infrastructure of the regime will be targeted", Major General Mohammad Bagheri said on state TV.

Iran confirms firing 200 missiles at Israel: state TV

Iran fired 200 missiles at Israel, state TV reported Wednesday, a barrage that Israel vowed to make Tehran "pay" for.

The Israeli military said Iran launched around 180 missiles at its territory, most of which were intercepted.

US, Israel warn of response to Iranian missile attack

The United States said Tuesday that it was discussing a joint response after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel, warning Tehran of "severe consequences".

Iran made a big mistake tonight and will pay for it- Benjamin Netanyahu | Israeli Prime Minister

Israel vowed it would make Iran "pay" for the attack, which it said saw 180 missiles fired at its territory, most of them intercepted by air defences.

Netanyahu said late Tuesday that "Iran made a big mistake tonight and will pay for it," warning that "Whoever attacks us, we attack them."

Tehran meanwhile threatened to strike any forces that intervened on its soil on Israel's behalf.

President Joe Biden said the United States was "fully supportive" of Israel after the missile attack, adding that he would discuss a response with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Asked by reporters what the response towards Iran would be, Biden replied: "That's in active discussion right now. That remains to be seen."

US Vice President Kamala Harris has issued a statement condemning Iran’s “reckless and brazen” attack against Israel. In a post on X, Harris stated: “I unequivocally condemn Iran’s reckless and brazen attack against Israel today. Israel, with our assistance, was able to defeat the attack. Our cooperation saved many lives. My commitment to the security of Israel is unwavering. And we will never hesitate to defend US forces and interests against Iran.”

Israeli strikes hits south Beirut

Two Israeli strikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs early Wednesday, a Lebanese security source said, after the Israeli military issued a new call for residents of parts of the area to evacuate.

"Two Israeli air strikes" targeted the southern suburbs, the source said, requesting anonymity because not authorised to speak to the media.

AFP correspondents heard explosions from the area, one of them very loud, and saw smoke rising while a fire appeared to burn.

Israel has struck Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah bastion, repeatedly since last week, saying it is targeting sites belonging to the group, including a strike on Friday that killed its chief Hassan Nasrallah.

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee had earlier issued a new call on X for residents to evacuate, saying: "You are located near dangerous Hezbollah facilities, which the IDF (Israeli military) will act against with force in the near future," specifically mentioning the area of Haret Hreik.