Deadly strike on central Beirut after Israel, Iran trade threats

Israel carried out a deadly air raid Thursday in central Beirut after eight ground troops were killed near the Lebanese border, as it traded threats with its arch foe Iran over possible future attacks.

The Israeli military kept up its bombardment of the Lebanese capital after Iran launched its largest missile attack yet on Israel, which prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to warn Tehran would pay for its “big mistake”.

Iran, which backs Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, said it would step up its response if Israel counter-attacked, defying calls for de-escalation in a war that has cost more than 1,000 lives in Lebanon.

In Beirut journalists heard multiple explosions overnight and reported some buildings shaking.