UK Says Its Fighter Jets Played a Part in Preventing Further Escalation in Middle East

A damaged vehicle is pictured in the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Israel, on October 2, 2024 in Tel Aviv. (AFP)
A damaged vehicle is pictured in the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Israel, on October 2, 2024 in Tel Aviv. (AFP)
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UK Says Its Fighter Jets Played a Part in Preventing Further Escalation in Middle East

A damaged vehicle is pictured in the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Israel, on October 2, 2024 in Tel Aviv. (AFP)
A damaged vehicle is pictured in the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Israel, on October 2, 2024 in Tel Aviv. (AFP)

Britain said two of its fighter jets and an air-to-air refueling tanker played a part on Tuesday in attempts to prevent further escalation in the conflict in the Middle East, but that the jets did not engage any targets.

"Two Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets and a Voyager air-to-air refueling tanker played their part in attempts in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, demonstrating the UK's unwavering commitment to Israel's security," Britain's Ministry of Defense said on X.

"Due to the nature of this attack, they did not engage any targets, but they played an important part in wider deterrence and efforts to prevent further escalation."

Iran on Tuesday fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel's campaign against Tehran's Hezbollah allies in Lebanon. Israel vowed a "painful response" against its enemy.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, when asked if Britain was prepared to use its military to help Israel defend itself, said on Tuesday Israel had the right to self-defense.



At Least 6 Killed in Israeli Airstrike in Central Beirut

Debris is scattered at the site of an Israeli strike on central Beirut's Bashoura neighborhood in Beirut, Lebanon October 3, 2024. REUTERS/Emilie Madi
Debris is scattered at the site of an Israeli strike on central Beirut's Bashoura neighborhood in Beirut, Lebanon October 3, 2024. REUTERS/Emilie Madi
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At Least 6 Killed in Israeli Airstrike in Central Beirut

Debris is scattered at the site of an Israeli strike on central Beirut's Bashoura neighborhood in Beirut, Lebanon October 3, 2024. REUTERS/Emilie Madi
Debris is scattered at the site of an Israeli strike on central Beirut's Bashoura neighborhood in Beirut, Lebanon October 3, 2024. REUTERS/Emilie Madi

At least six people have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on an apartment building in the Lebanese capital, Lebanse health officials said Thursday.

Another seven people were wounded in the attack in Beirut late Wednesday.

Israel said it conducted a precise airstrike on Beirut.

The airstrike started a fire in an apartment in a multistory building in the residential Bashoura district, not far from the United Nations headquarters, the prime minister’s office and parliament.

The strike reportedly targeted a center of the group’s health unit.

There was no warning issued ahead of the strike.

Residents reported a sulfur-like smell following the attack, and Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency accused Israel of using internationally banned phosphorous bombs. Human rights groups have in the past accused Israel of using white phosphorus incendiary shells on towns and villages in conflict-hit southern Lebanon.