Lammy urges 'immediate ceasefire' between Israel and Hezbollah as tensions grow
GMB has the latest as Hezbollah has said the group is in a 'state of war' with Israel after the country was accused of carrying out the deadly attacks in Lebanon
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has called for an "immediate ceasefire" in the Middle East as tensions continue to grow between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Lammy made the comments on Thursday evening after a meeting with Western counterparts, saying the issue is "of huge concern at this time".
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had earlier pledged that Israel will "face severe and fair punishment", following two days of deadly electronic device explosions in Lebanon.
Speaking to reporters, Lammy said: "All of us are monitoring it very closely and we are all very, very clear that we want to see a negotiated political settlement, so that Israelis can return to their homes in northern Israel, and, indeed, Lebanese can return to their homes.
"That's why tonight I'm calling for an immediate ceasefire from both sides, so that we can get to that settlement, that political settlement that's required."
'Tonight I'm calling for an immediate ceasefire from both sides'
Nasrallah used a speech to condemn the attacks, referring to them as "massacres", saying Hezbollah would consider the events as an addition to the list of the many deadly acts committed by Israel.
"Even if they wanted to target Hezbollah men and fighters, they were targeting everyone around them," Nasrallah said.
Hezbollah and Israel launched fresh attacks across the border on Thursday as Nasrallah delivered his televised speech.
The Israeli military carried out new strikes on the group in Lebanon, striking 30 launchers and "terrorist infrastructure sites," which included over 100 launcher barrels and a weapons storage facility.
Hezbollah also attacked at least four targets in northern Israel, killing two Israeli soldiers.
British nationals have now been urged to leave Lebanon "while commercial options remain" by Lammy.
At least nine people were killed and thousands wounded on Tuesday when a number of pagers used by Hezbollah exploded.
Further explosions rocked the country on Wednesday as walkie-talkies exploded, leading to the deaths of at least another 20 people and injuring more than 450.
ITV News International Editor Emma Murphy, who was at the scene of one of Wednesday's explosions, reported seeing someone's hand blown off.
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Nasrallah said retaliation would come from "where [Israel] expect and don't expect".
He called the attacks "unprecedented", but said they would not be discouraged.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant hit out at Nasrallah's remarks, saying Hezbollah "will pay an increasing price" as Israel seeks to make conditions near its border with Lebanon safe enough for residents to return to their homes.
Nasrallah's speech came shortly before an update was issued on UK travel advice to Lebanon, encouraging any British nationals currently in the country to leave.
In a post shared on X, the foreign secretary said "tensions are high and the situation could deteriorate rapidly".
Speaking to Israeli troops on Wednesday, Gallant made no mention of the exploding devices, but praised the work of Israel's army and security agencies, saying "the results are very impressive".
"We are at the start of a new phase in the war - it requires courage, determination and perseverance," he said.
US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said the country does not want to see "any party escalate this conflict".
He added that the Israeli government wants a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
"You can look at their public statements and judge for yourself where they're going, but we still do hear them say that they prefer a diplomatic resolution," he said.
ITV News Reporter Chloe Keedy takes a look at how the explosive devices arrived in Lebanon
He also denied any US involvement in the attack "in any way, shape, or form".
The device explosions occurred amid a backdrop of rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, who have been exchanging fire across the border since the October 7 attack by proscribed terror group Hamas.
Hezbollah and the Israeli military traded new strikes over the border, as Nasrallah spoke in a televised speech.
Israeli warplanes flew low over Beirut and broke the sound barrier, scattering birds and prompting people in houses and offices to quickly open windows to prevent them from shattering.
Patients suffering severe injuries after the device explosions face years of multiple surgeries to recover, a surgeon has said.
Ghassan Abu Sitta, speaking outside the American University of Beirut Medical, told ITV News' US affiliate CNN that people were arriving at the hospital with injuries to their hand, face and eyes.
He said: "The problem is we don't have enough equipment because of the sheer numbers, and more importantly, these are injuries that will need between five and 12 surgeries within the next few years in terms of rehabilitation."
He said some of the explosions had impacted whole families, who were in the same rooms or vehicles as exploding devices.
Iran's state news agency said 95 people were being transferred to Iran from Lebanon to be treated, according to Pirhossein Koulivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society.
"Most of the injured have sustained severe injuries to their hands and eyes. Upon arrival in Iran, they will be immediately sent to designated hospitals for treatment," he said.
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Hospital staff in Lebanon have performed 460 operations, mostly on eyes and faces, with many also treating injuries to hands.
Among the injured were healthcare workers, members of Hezbollah, and the Iranian ambassador.
The nature of the injuries shows many of the pagers were in homes, where children were playing with the devices, Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad said.
Footage from inside one of the hospitals showed chaotic scenes, with staff attending to dozens of men bandaged and bleeding.
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