Middle East crisis LIVE: ‘Together we will win’, Netanyahu tells soldiers at Lebanon border

Powerful new explosions rocked Beirut’s southern suburbs late Saturday as Israel expanded its bombardment in Lebanon, also striking a Palestinian refugee camp deep in the north for the first time as it targeted both Hezbollah and Hamas fighters. 

About 40,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London while thousands also gathered in Paris, Rome, Manila, Cape Town and New York City. Demonstrations were also held near the White House in Washington, protesting U.S. support for its ally Israel in military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon. 

Thousands of people in Lebanon, including Palestinian refugees, continued to flee the widening conflict in the region, while rallies were held around the world marking the approaching anniversary of the start of the war in Gaza. 

The strong explosions began near midnight and continued into Sunday after Israel’s military urged residents to evacuate areas in Dahiya, the predominantly Shiite collection of suburbs on Beirut’s southern edge.

Also Read: Top 10 key developments since the October 7 attacks on Israel

Israel’s military confirmed it was striking targets near Beirut and said about 30 projectiles had crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory, with some intercepted. 

The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Saturday (October 5, 2024) that at least 41,825 people have been killed in almost a year of war between Israel and Palestinian militants.

The Israeli military said on Sunday it deployed more troops to defend southern communities and areas bordering Gaza, ahead of the anniversary of the October 7 attack by Hamas, to “dismantle terrorist infrastructure and degrade Hamas’s capabilities”.

Follow the live updates here: