Air raid sirens, air defence systems activated in Haifa
Israeli Army Radio is reporting that airborne attack warning systems have been activated in Israel’s major northern city this morning.
Israel Hayom, a local newspaper, says that a number of rockets were fired towards Haifa and its surrounding areas, while video footage published by Israel’s public broadcaster shows air defence systems intercepting targets over the skies of the city.
There has been no comment from Hezbollah on this attack as of yet, but we will keep you updated as information comes in.
Family of 9 killed in Lebanon’s Shebaa
The nine family members were killed overnight in the southeastern town when an Israeli air raid hit the three-storey house they were in, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
The town’s mayor says four of those victims were children, according to Reuters news agency.
“The women and children [killed] figure is rising rapidly,” reports Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan from southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah claims first attack on Israel today
On Telegram, the group says that it fired Fadi-1 missiles at the Israeli town of Kiryat Ata, which borders Haifa. Earlier, we reported that Israeli air raid sirens and air defence systems were activated in Haifa.
For its part, the Israeli army said the launch of about 10 projectiles was detected over the Bay of Haifa, some of which were intercepted. Others fell in open areas, the army said, reporting no casualties.
Approaching Israeli air strikes force Lebanese hospitals to close
We’re being told by the [UN] World Health Organization that 37 out of 317 government-run hospitals have had to close. Most of those hospitals are in this contested border area with Israel.
We spoke to the director of Bint Jbeil Hospital. He said they had to shut down because the air strikes were simply coming too close.
These hospitals may have remained open, but everyone is looking at the pictures coming out of Gaza. Everybody’s looking at the fact that Israel regularly hits hospitals – that has shifted the decision-making. The hospitals may have well stayed open – they’ve certainly stayed open during all of this escalation – but now they’re shutting down and it’s likely to be because of what Israel has done in Gaza. There’s simply no trust.
Beirut volunteers care for displaced fleeing Israeli bombing
Josephine Abou Abdo, one of the founders of non-profit organisation Nation Station, prepares meals with volunteers to be distributed for people displaced due to Israeli bombardment, in Beirut, Lebanon.
Lebanese minister addresses compensation delays for displaced families
Lebanon’s social affairs minister has given a press briefing in Beirut addressing delays in cash payments for displaced families.
The minister, Hector Hajjar, apologised for payment delays but said more than 150,000 affected families would receive compensation by October 15. Hajjar also encouraged citizens to make donations that can go to shelters, such as mattresses, covers, pillows and blankets.
