MEZIESBLOG

Saudi Arabia has said it stands by the Lebanese people following Israeli attacks on the country. 

It is the first time Saudi Arabia has commented since Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. 

However, the statement from the foreign ministry did not make any mention of him. 

It instead said that Lebanon’s sovereignty must be preserved.

Number killed in Lebanon today surpasses 100 – Reuters

A Reuters news agency tally shows 105 people have been killed in Israeli strikes across Lebanon today. 

They include 32 deaths in Ain Deleb, a town southeast of the port city of Sidon, and 33 in the northeastern district of Baalbek-Hermel. 

Another seven were counted in Marjayoun. 

It’s not clear where the rest of the deaths have been reported. 

Hezbollah will try to rebuild quickly – White House

A top White House official has said Hezbollah is likely to try rebuilding quickly after Israel “wiped out” its command structure. 

Israel has launched repeated strikes on Lebanon this week in an effort to dismantle Hezbollah. 

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the militant group “will try to recover” and the US is “watching to see what they do to try to fill this leadership vacuum”. 

Speaking about the strike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Mr Kirby said: “I think people are safer without him walking around.”

Israeli strike hits within Beirut’s city limits – Reuters

An Israeli attack has hit an apartment building in Beirut’s city centre, according to Reuters eyewitnesses.

The strike, in Beirut’s Kola district, marks the first within the city limits.

Witnesses also said they heard a blast and saw smoke in southwest Beirut. 

Israeli strikes also hit elsewhere in Lebanon today, with a Reuters tally suggesting more than 100 people have been killed.