Israel launches airstrikes on Beirut after bombs in Gaza kill 19 inside mosque ahead of October 7 anniversary

6 October 2024, 23:07 | Updated: 7 October 2024, 07:33

Israel has intensified airstrikes on Gaza and Lebanon as it is set to mark the anniversary of the October 7 massacre which sparked the war in the Middle East that now threatens to spiral out of control.
Israel has intensified airstrikes on Gaza and Lebanon as it is set to mark the anniversary of the October 7 massacre which sparked the war in the Middle East that now threatens to spiral out of control. Picture: Getty/Alamy

By Chay Quinn

Israel has intensified airstrikes on Gaza and Lebanon as it is set to mark the anniversary of the October 7 massacre which sparked the war in the Middle East that now threatens to spiral out of control.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Ahead of the anniversary, Israel increased bombardment of northern Gaza and southern Lebanon on Sunday.

Palestinian officials said one strike on a mosque killed at least 19 people.

The strike hit a mosque sheltering displaced people near the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the town of Deir al-Balah, the hospital said in a statement.

Read more: Final flight to leave Lebanon for UK tomorrow as Brits urged to get out immediately

Read more: IDF 'kills 440 Hezbollah members in first days of invasion' as army warns of October 7 anniversary attack

New strikes began in the Beirut suburbs late Sunday.

The war has widened to include the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in recent weeks - with Israel also vowing to strike back against Iran after a largely-foiled ballistic missile attack on Tuesday.

Flames and smoke rise from an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Flames and smoke rise from an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein). Picture: Alamy
Israeli attacks on Gaza continue
Israeli attacks on Gaza continue. Picture: Getty

Israel is still battling Hamas in Gaza nearly a year after its October 7 attack, and has opened a new front against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which has been trading fire with Israel along the border since the war in Gaza began.

Iran-allied militant groups in Syria, Iraq and Yemen have all launched long-distance strikes on Israel.

The widening conflict risks further drawing in the United States, which has provided crucial military and diplomatic support to Israel.

Caller on how 'tough' the conversation around Gaza has been over the last year

The Israeli military says it conducted precise strikes on Hamas terrorists.

In Gaza, an Associated Press journalist counted the bodies at the hospital morgue.

Hospital records showed that the 19 dead were all men.

Another two men were critically wounded, the hospital said.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment about the strike on the mosque.

The latest strikes add to the mounting Palestinian death toll in Gaza, which is now nearing 42,000 according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths, however many of those killed so far have included large swathes of women and children.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Jason Hoganson

Actor freed early after being jailed for assaulting ex now on the run from prison after breaching licence conditions

Polling stations across US battleground states Georgia, Wisconsin, and Michigan have received non-credible bomb threats from Russian email addresses, the FBI says.

FBI investigating 'Russian' bomb threats to polling stations across swing states

Former President Trump and Vice President Harris make final pitches

Road to the White House: The key swing states that will decide the 2024 US Election

The 64-year-old previously revealed he was days from death before undergoing surgery

Jeremy Clarkson issues major health update after life-changing surgery as he tells fans he is 'better than ever'

A man has been arrested at the US Capitol after he was found to smell like fuel, and police discovered a flare gun and torch on him.

Man armed with flare gun and torch arrested at US Capitol on Election Day, police say

Israeli PM Netanyahu has fired his defence minister Yoav Gallant.

Israeli PM Netanyahu fires defence minister Yoav Gallant in surprise announcement

Donald Trump after casting his vote on Tuesday

Donald Trump claims he's 'very confident' of victory in US election race after casting his ballot

Conor McGregor has been accused of raping and choking a woman in a Dublin hotel

Conor McGregor accused of raping and choking woman after snorting cocaine

The ex-Manchester City footballer married Stephen Darby in 2018, a few months before he was diagnosed with the condition

Ex-Lioness captain Steph Houghton reveals husband's 'life-changing' operation amid MND battle

Underground train, Barbican Tube Station, Smithfield, England, United Kingdom

Tube drivers call off planned London Underground strikes after improved pay offer

Playa de los Pocillos puerto del carmen Lanzarote, Canary Islands, spain

British tourist, 34, found dead on beach in Lanzarote

Trump and Harris go head to head

US Election night guide: What time do polls close and who is favourite to win?

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had only just turned 12 when he took part in the violent disorder

Britain's youngest rioter: Boy who had just turned 12 sentenced for involvement in violent disorder

The 170-metre red bridge over wetlands in Canada Water, south-east London, opened last week

Security guards to stop cyclists from using bright red ‘wildlife boardwalk’ at £3.3bn London housing development

Rubert Gispin was visiting flood-hit parts of his native Valencia

Spanish influencer defends ‘shameful’ decision to deliberately cover himself in mud in Valencia’s flood damaged streets

Sara Sharif's father denies murdering the 10-year-old.

Father claims he begged to save Sara Sharif before being told ‘Leave it, she’s dead’