Israel Hezbollah live updates: Iran's Quds Force chief ‘under arrest over links to Israel’

Esmail Ghaani is said to have suffered a heart attack while being questioned as part of Tehran’s probe into intelligence leaks. Follow live updates.

Esmail Ghaani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, is said to be under arrest and under interrogation over alleged ties to Israel.

Arab media reports Ghaani suffered a heart attack while being questioned as part of Tehran’s probe into intelligence leaks.

Sky News Arabia, citing Iranian sources, said that the commander had been moved to a hospital by the Islamic Republic’s security forces.

Iran has “serious suspicions” that Jerusalem has infiltrated the IRGC’s ranks, the commander of one Iranian-backed terrorist group told the Middle East Eye website, adding that “everyone is currently under investigation.”

The commander of Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), lieutenant general and commander of the Quds Force, Esmail Qaani (C). Picture: LEADER OFFICE / AFP

At least 22 people were killed and 117 wounded after Israeli airstrikes hit residential areas of central Beirut, making them the deadliest attacks to target central Beirut since the start of the war.

The Israeli strikes hit a densely packed residential neighbourhood of apartment buildings and shops in working class districts in the heart of Beirut.

Israel had not previously struck the area, which is removed from Beirut’s southern suburbs where Hezbollah’s headquarters have been repeatedly bombed by Israel.

It comes as the White House says it is “deeply concerned” after the Israeli military said its forces opened fire in the area where UN peacekeepers have their headquarters in south Lebanon.

“We understand Israel is conducting targeted operations near the Blue Line to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure that could be used to threaten Israeli citizens,” the spokesperson said, referring to the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon.

“While they undertake these operations, it is critical that they not threaten UN peacekeepers’ safety and security.”

The IDF insists that Hezbollah fighters were operating nearby.

The military said Hezbollah “operates from within and near civilian areas in southern Lebanon, including areas near UNIFIL posts”.

Earlier on Thursday local time the mission said two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired toward an observation post at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqura.
It comes as Israel repeatedly pounded Beirut’s city centre for a third time since moving in.
“The Israeli enemy’s attacks on the capital Beirut this evening resulted in a new toll of 22 people killed and 117 injured,” the ministry said in an updated toll statement.

FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES BELOW: