Israel-Iran Latest Updates: IDF Threatens ‘Significant Retaliation’ to Iran’s Missile Bombing as Ground Operations Intensify in Lebanon Against Hezbollah, Raising World War III Fears

Israel has ordered the evacuation of Lebanese villages in the south as it continues its ground invasion.

Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee told people in 24 communes to “evacuate their homes immediately.”

‘Anyone who is close to Hezbollah elements, facilities and combat equipment is putting their life at risk.

“Any house used by Hezbollah for its military needs is expected to be a target,” he said on Twitter/X.

Israel maintains its war is not against civilians, but has urged residents to flee to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

So far, around a million people have been displaced by the conflict in Lebanon, many of whom have returned to war-torn Syria for lack of safer options.

The weakened Lebanese government has tried to provide shelter to civilians in the capital, Beirut, which has also been attacked by Israel.

Smoke rises after an Israeli Air Force airstrike on a village in southern Lebanon, as seen from Jish, northern Israel, on October 2.

An Israeli Apache helicopter fires a missile towards southern Lebanon, seen from northern Israel this morning.

The Israeli army fires artillery into Lebanon, seen from Jish this morning.

Israeli forces are believed to have suffered casualties amid renewed pressure in Lebanon this morning.

Some 20 ambulances were reported to be stationed in northern Israel to receive soldiers evacuated from the front lines in Lebanon.

Israel continued to bombard southern Lebanon with rockets this morning, citing intense clashes with Hezbollah soldiers on the border.

Infantry and armor units were expected to join the cross-border raids today, defined until now mainly by small commando raids.

Israel revealed yesterday that its special forces had been working in Lebanon for months, attacking Hezbollah strongholds and destroying Iranian weapons.

Israel maintains that its military operations in Lebanon will be swift, but continues to face pressure from world leaders to de-escalate.

Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live blog covering the ongoing conflict between Israel, Hezbollah and Iran on 2 October. Here’s what you need to know this morning:

• The IDF launched a ‘limited, localized and selective’ invasion of Lebanon, claiming it was targeting Hezbollah strongholds, in the early hours of Monday morning;
• Israel defended attacks by Hezbollah and Houthi rebels in Yemen as thousands of people headed to emergency shelters during waves of rocket and drone attacks;
• Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel, claiming to have targeted military positions with 90 percent effectiveness. A Palestinian was killed in Israel;
• The United States confirmed that two naval destroyers were used to shoot down Iranian missiles, while British and Jordanian forces provided support;
• Israeli rhetoric has become a response this morning as Iran urged a reduction in tensions, while threatening anyone who opened airspace to Israel;
• Israel today announced renewed operations in Lebanon, stating that infantry and armor units would join the ground offensive, until now defined mainly by commando attacks;
• Israeli forces appeared to suffer casualties in their first hand-to-hand combat with Hezbollah in Lebanon, with about 20 ambulances waiting in northern Israel to receive the wounded.