Middle East latest: Israel ‘prepared’ to invade Lebanon if necessary, IDF says

By Alistair Bunkall, Middle East correspondent, in northern Israel 

All day we’ve heard fighter jets have been in the skies of northern Israel flying across the border to hit Hezbollah. They have pounded Lebanon in the heaviest strikes of the war so far.

Throughout the afternoon, Hezbollah fired missiles towards Haifa and deep into Israel. By the early evening we’d counted eight waves; the bright streak of Iron Dome defence missiles climbed over the city as another barrage came in, followed by the booms of interception.

Hezbollah is trying to strike deeper into Israel – at least one missile landed in a Palestinian village over in the West Bank.

Israel’s prime minister has warned his country the coming days could be tough and advised Lebanese to leave their homes in the south of the country as Israel prepares more strikes.

Northern Israel, like southern Lebanon, is in a semi-lockdown at the moment – schools closed, many shops shut, beaches empty and streets quiet. One restaurateur described the situation as the worst he had known in 38 years of business.

Tonight, more Hezbollah missiles were fired towards Haifa – the Iron Dome intercepted them over the bay. It feels increasingly intense here, but still nothing compared to the other side of the border.

World leaders and diplomats are using words like de-escalation, calm and ceasefire, but they’re hollow pleas, because right now, no one here is listening.