Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Iran fired more than 100 missiles into Israeli territory on Tuesday night, with footage showing the projectiles streaking across the skies of Tel Aviv. Residents were ordered to remain close to bomb shelters, a man was killed in the occupied West Bank and two were injured by shrapnel in Tel Aviv.
The missile attack is the latest episode of escalation and comes hours after the Israeli army announced it was launching an invasion of southern Lebanon. The latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah reached new heights after a wave of Israeli attacks and strikes on Lebanon over the past weeks, culminating in the killing of the leader of the Lebanese group, Hassan Nasrallah, on Friday.
Hezbollah and Israel have engaged in a daily exchange of fire since October 8, a day after the group announced its support for Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel's war has killed more than 41,600 people after a Hamas-led attack on Israel killed 1,200.
But fighting between the two intensified significantly in mid-September when communications devices exploded, sending shockwaves through the country. Even before the cross-border strikes became a full-scale war, more than 1,000 people were killed in Lebanon over the past two weeks, while more than a million have been displaced.
How did we get here?
September 17 – Pager attack
Hundreds of pagers, mostly belonging to Hezbollah members, exploded almost simultaneously in Beirut, south Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, killing at least 12 people. Chaotic scenes emerged after the blasts as the sophisticated attack, blamed on Israel, sent shockwaves across the country. Medics described gruesome and critical wounds among the injured including missing eyes and limbs. Earlier in the day, Israel had announced a new war aim – the return of thousands of displaced Israelis to the north of their nation.
September 18 – Walkie-talkies
Another wave of explosions of communications devices killed at least 20 and injured hundreds. The explosions caused unease in Lebanon as residents braced for further escalation. The pagers were labelled with the name of Taiwanese maker Gold Apollo, while the walkie-talkies bore the branding of Osaka-based Icom. Security sources told The National that the operation was planned to happen alongside an Israeli ground invasion but it was brought forward due to indications that the plan would soon be uncovered.
September 20 – First strike on Dahieh
Israeli strikes destroyed a residential building Beirut's southern suburb of Dahieh, killing at least 31 people, including senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil – who Israel said was the target of the attack. Ahmed Wahbi, who oversaw the military operations of the group's Radwan special forces during the Gaza war until early 2024, was also killed. Images from Dahieh showed plumes of smoke over the area. Clips shared on social media portrayed scenes of chaos, a building completely levelled and mangled cars across a busy street.
September 22 – Rhetoric increases
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened more military action against Hezbollah while the group's deputy leader, Naim Qassem, said it has entered an “open-ended battle of reckoning” with Israel. Hezbollah and Israel exchanged heavy fire with the military saying it hit about 290 targets in southern Lebanon.
September 23 – Death toll surges
Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley killed at least 492 people, including 35 children and 58 women, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, making it the deadliest day for Lebanon in decades. Hezbollah fired about 200 rockets, most of which were intercepted by Israel, while an Israeli strike on Dahieh is aimed at Ali Karaki, Hezbollah's southern front commander. He survives the attack.
September 24 – Thousands displaced
Entire families are wiped out in intense Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, Beirut and the eastern Bekaa Valley. Thousands of people in southern and eastern Lebanon fled their homes.
September 25 – Missile launched at Tel Aviv for first time
Hezbollah announces the death of its head of missiles and rockets, Ibrahim Qubaisi, as it launches a missile towards Tel Aviv for the first time. The missile was intercepted by Israeli defence systems. The Israeli army calls on more reserves for the north to prepare for a possible ground offensive into southern Lebanon.
September 26 – Urgent ceasefire plans fail
US, France and other states propose a 21-day ceasefire plan between Israel and Hezbollah that is quickly rejected by Israeli officials, including Mr Netanyahu. Israel says it carried out more than 200 strikes across Lebanon, killing 92 people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. At least 19 of the 92 killed in the strikes were Syrian labourers working in Lebanon's north-eastern town of Younin in the Baalbek-Hermel province. Sixteen women and children were among the dead, the town's Mayor Ali Qassass told The National.
September 27 – Strikes target Hezbollah top leaders
Mr Netanyahu delivers a speech at the UN General Assembly vowing to continue fighting on several fronts and threatening to attack Iran and its proxies. Several hours later, the military announces it hit the headquarters of Hezbollah as strikes level residential buildings in southern Beirut.
September 28 – Nasrallah announced dead
The Israeli military announces the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in the strike, which is later confirmed by the group, marking an unprecedented escalation.
September 29 – Strikes on Iran-back Houthi group
Israel launched strikes on the Yemeni city of Hodeidah, killing at least four people and injuring 29, the Houthi-run Health Ministry said. Israel's military said dozens of its aircraft had attacked targets in Ras Isa and Hodeidah, both held by the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group, including power stations and oil infrastructure, in retaliation for recent Houthi attacks on Israel. Hezbollah confirmed the death of Karaki in the same attack that killed Nasrallah.
September 30 – Threat of ground invasion
At least four people were killed in an Israeli air strike on an apartment block near the Cola Bridge in Beirut, the first attack on the city centre in the current conflict. Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told troops on the country's northern border that Israel is willing to "use all of our capabilities, including you”, the latest sign that Israel is considering large-scale ground operations in southern Lebanon. A Lebanese soldier was also killed in southern Lebanon, marking the first death among the army since the latest escalation.
October 1 – Iran strikes Israel
The Israeli army announced it launched a ground invasion and warned residents of nearly 30 villages in south Lebanon to leave their homes immediately. Iran fired more than 100 missiles at Israel, and air raid sirens sounded across the country. One man died in the occupied West Bank.
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SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan
Four stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
PAKISTAN v SRI LANKA
Twenty20 International series
Thu Oct 26, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
Fri Oct 27, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
Sun Oct 29, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Tickets are available at www.q-tickets.com
Match info
Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4 (Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)
Man of the match: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
MEYDAN RESULTS
6.30pm Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer).
7.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Galaxy Road, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
7.40pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Al Modayar, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Gundogdu, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m
Winner Lady Parma, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Zaajer, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Sunday's games
Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm
No Shame
Lily Allen
(Parlophone)
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
More on Quran memorisation:
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
