Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says the military will continue to operate against Hezbollah in Lebanon and strike Beirut if the terror group attacks Israel.
“Dahiyeh in Beirut will be treated the same as the northern communities,” Katz says, referring to the Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut.
“Any attack on the northern communities will lead to an attack in Dahiyeh. The IDF will continue to operate in Lebanon against the Hezbollah terror organisation,” he says. Katz says that Israel “categorically rejects Iran’s threats.”
Israeli strikes on Iran today wounded at least 15 people, the National Emergency Medical Organisation says in a statement published by the Iranian official news agency.
No fatalities have been reported so far, the organisation says. The statement does not specify whether the wounded are civilians or military personnel, noting that 14 of the injured are from Mahshahr in the province of Khuzestan, while one is from Tehran.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The resumption of conflict between Iran and Israel is in no-one’s interest. “Both sides must show restraint and de-escalate immediately.”
Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, which has been mediating in the conflict, has also called for restraint.
He wrote on X: “The recent surge in violence in the Middle East is a stark reminder of the dangers associated with a tenuous ceasefire and the unbearable consequences it may lead to.
“As we work earnestly and painstakingly, together with our brothers and partners, to find a peaceful diplomatic solution to the conflict, and especially when the final objective is just about to be achieved, we sincerely urge all sides to exercise restraint and give peace a little more chance.
“Let us continue to remain on the path of peace and diplomacy which have bright prospects of success instead of violence and destruction!”
Benjamin Netanyahu will convene the full security cabinet tonight at 7pm UK time amid intensified fighting with Iran and Hezbollah, the office of one of the cabinet ministers has told The Times of Israel.
Israeli officials have indicated that Israel has decided to halt its retaliatory attacks on Iran following pressure from the White House, but added that no final decision has been made.
There has been no formal comment from Netanyahu or his office on the escalated fighting since it began last night.
An Israeli official has told Hebrew media outlets that strikes against Iran have now stopped, at the request of US President Donald Trump, but stressed Israel will not stop its offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, saying, “The sense is that this round of fighting is behind us. We are awaiting a final decision from the political leadership.”
Netanyahu and Trump spoke over the phone today, ahead of Tehran’s announcement that it would cease attacks if Israel stopped its offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump concluded a phone call a short while ago, according to Hebrew media. There has been no official statement on the matter.
No final decision has been made in Israel on how to proceed in the renewed fight with Iran, after Tehran announced it would halt its attacks so long as Israel does not continue to strike Hezbollah in Lebanon, Channel 12 reports. “We are waiting for a clear directive from the political leadership regarding the direction we are taking,” an Israeli official tells Channel 12.
Iran announces that it is halting attacks on Israel, but threatens a further response if the Israeli military continues “aggression” in Lebanon.
“The cessation of armed forces operations is announced,” Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran’s emergency military command, says in a statement carried by Iranian media.
“However, it is emphasized that if the aggression and acts of malice continue, including in southern Lebanon, much more severe and crushing measures than before will be forthcoming,” the statement adds.
Sir Keir Starmer said he was “deeply concerned” about the latest outbreak of violence in the Middle East as the clashes between Iran and Israel sent oil prices soaring.
The two countries traded fire for the first time since the April ceasefire in a sign of the fragility of the situation across the Middle East.
Israel launched strikes in response to missile fire from Tehran and Iran subsequently retaliated with waves of attacks.
In early trading in London the price of Brent crude oil shot up by around 5% on Monday morning to more than 97 US dollars a barrel.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the conflict was having an impact on the UK as he appealed for calm.
He said: “I am deeply concerned about the resumption of violence. It is really important that all parties get back to a ceasefire.
“There are serious negotiations going on towards a lasting peace.
Posting on social media, Trump declared that Israel and Iran must immediately stop “shooting”, urging both sides to step back from further military action. His intervention comes amid renewed exchanges of strikes and growing international concern that the conflict could spiral into a broader Middle East war. Trump has recently pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid retaliation against Iranian attacks while pursuing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire and wider regional agreement.
Israeli strikes on a Hamas post and a vehicle in the Gaza Strip have killed at least nine people and wounded 20, local health officials said. One strike hit a Hamas police post in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, adjacent to a large tent encampment of displaced families. Five people were killed, and 16 were wounded, medics said, without clarifying how many of the casualties were police.
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