Watch: Heavy gunfire heard as BBC reports from border of Israel and Lebanon
Heavy Gunfire Reported Near Israel-Lebanon Border
At the Israeli town of Metula, situated close to Lebanon, BBC journalist Jon Donnison captured the sound of a prolonged firefight just a short distance away. Over a ten-minute span, continuous machine gun fire and sporadic artillery blasts reverberated through the valley, creating a chaotic atmosphere. The Israeli military is actively working to repel Hezbollah forces, backed by Iranian support, from the southern regions of Lebanon. Further details on this evolving situation can be found here.
As the conflict escalated, citizens in the UK, Spain, and the United States marked the day with joy after news of targeted strikes spread. Meanwhile, nations like Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan reported intercepting missiles launched from Iran toward U.S. military installations on their soil.
Inside Iran: Protests and Prisoner Accounts
BBC correspondent John Donnison was live-streaming from Jerusalem when his phone emitted urgent emergency alerts. In Iran, a British woman detained by the government described the emotional toll of imprisonment, expressing difficulty in staying hopeful just hours before she and her spouse received 10-year espionage sentences. Lyse Doucet, making her first visit to Iran since the suppression of nationwide demonstrations, conveyed that the nation’s anguish persists following the use of overwhelming force to quell the protests.
“The pain is still raw after unprecedented force was used to put down the protests there.”
Over 8,000 individuals suspected of ties to ISIS are detained in Kurdish-controlled prisons, alongside approximately 34,000 family members held in nearby camps. John Sudworth noted the presence of heavy machinery noises in the area, indicating ongoing activity. At the Iranian-Armenian border, BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega detailed the internet blackout that followed violent demonstrations, emphasizing his role as a vocal advocate for sustained resistance against the regime.
Relatives of Erfan Soltani, arrested last week, shared with BBC Persian that his execution is scheduled for Wednesday. BBC Verify has scrutinized footage from a Tehran mortuary, revealing numerous bodies that may offer insights into the current crisis. The protests, now in their 13th night, began as a reaction to economic issues but have since expanded into one of the largest uprisings in recent history. On Thursday, the demonstrations reached their broadest reach since December 28, with chants of anti-government slogans echoing in videos verified by BBC Persian.
Life in Syria and a Historical Echo
Hugo Bachega also spoke with Syrians about the transformation of daily life since the revolution. Meanwhile, in Manger Square, hundreds gathered to enjoy festivities featuring music, dancing, and Santa-like figures handing out treats. Notably, a vehicle involved in transporting Pope Francis to Bethlehem in 2014 was recently spotted at the scene.
