Hamas confirms killing of leader Yahya Sinwar as Biden seeks 'path to peace' - live updates

Summary

US President Joe Biden says a ceasefire in Lebanon is possible but ending the Gaza war will be harder
Biden earlier said that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza raises "the prospect of a ceasefire" in the year-long war, but Netanyahu has said it was not the end
Sinwar, who topped Israel's most-wanted list, was the key figure behind the 7 October attacks and was killed after Israeli troops attacked a building in Rafah
Hamas has confirmed their leader was killed in combat, but says his death will only strengthen the group
Elsewhere, the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory says 42,500 people have been killed there since Israel began its military offensive

Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue as US hits Houthi targets in Yemenpublished at 08:23 British Summer Time 17 October

A view of the damage after an Israeli strike in Nabatieh on Wednesday — Image caption,
The aftermath of the damage of an Israeli strike in Nabatieh on Wednesday

Good morning from London, and welcome back to our coverage of the Middle East conflict.

Overnight, Lebanese media reported heavy airstrikes on Lebanon’s eastern borders. The state-affiliated National News Agency said the town of Al-Khiam was hit by seven air strikes in less than 10 minutes at around midnight.

By contrast, it was a night of relative calm in Beirut. Drones and jets were heard flying overhead, but no further attacks have been reported since yesterday morning.

Lebanese headlines are also reflecting anger after yesterday’s Israeli strikes on Nabatieh, which killed the mayor and 15 other people.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon says the US carried out what it called "precision strikes" against five Houthi targets in Yemen.

Stay with us for the latest lines from our teams in London, Beirut, Jerusalem, and across the region.

Summary

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