Lebanon's transport ministry instructed an Iranian aircraft not to enter its airspace after Israel warned air traffic control at Beirut airport that it would resort to 'force' if the plane landed, according to a source at the ministry who spoke to Reuters.
The source stated that it was unclear what the plane was carrying. 'The priority is people's lives,' the source emphasized.
This development follows the Israeli military's announcement of the killing of Nasrallah, signaling readiness for broader escalation and placing its forces on high alert. 'The Israeli military has eliminated ... Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Hezbollah terrorist organization,' Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote in a statement on X. Another prominent Hezbollah leader, Ali Karaki, was also reported killed.
In response to the heavy Israeli strikes in the area, Lebanon's health ministry announced on Saturday that hospitals in Beirut's southern suburbs would be evacuated, urging hospitals in unaffected areas to cease admitting non-urgent cases.
