The Security Council is due to hold an emergency meeting in New York on Friday from 3pm, following Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut and in the south, which have left at least a dozen dead. It comes amid an uptick in cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces and two days of deadly wireless device explosions targeting members of the militant group. We’ll have full live coverage as the fear of a widening Middle East war grows. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric warned the region now stands “on the brink of a catastrophe.” UN News app users can follow here.