Israel has launched airstrikes in Lebanon and restricted gatherings in the city of Haifa and other northern areas, continuing its attacks on targets linked to Hezbollah.
IDF spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari said dozens of fighter jets began “widespread” strikes in southern Lebanon “after it was discovered that Hezbollah was preparing to fire into Israeli territory.”
Israel’s latest attack came a day after it launched an airstrike in Beirut that the Israel Defense Forces said killed more than a dozen senior Hezbollah commanders. Lebanon says 37 people – including three children – killed.
The US government is urging its citizens to leave “through commercial options while they are still available”.
Cross-border fighting resumed on Friday between Israel and Hezbollah.
The IDF earlier said it had destroyed “approximately 180 sites and thousands of [rocket] “Launcher” with impact
The Israel Defense Forces also stated that more than 90 rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory. Hezbollah said it attacked 11 Israeli military positions that day.
Earlier this week, 39 people were killed and thousands injured after the Iran-backed militia and political group Hezbollah used pagers and walkie-talkies. exploded A two-day trip through Lebanon.
On Thursday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah blamed Israel for the attacks, saying Israel had crossed “all red lines” and vowing “just punishment.”
Israel has not yet claimed responsibility.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Walker Türk said the pager and walkie-talkie explosions violated international humanitarian law.
On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces announced new restrictions on communities in northern Israel and parts of the southern Golan Heights starting at 20:30 local time (17:30 GMT).
The Israel Defense Forces limits gatherings to 30 people in open areas and 300 people in enclosed spaces. Educational activities can continue and work is allowed as long as protected space is available.
These restrictions apply to the Haifa area and the northern areas.
The U.S. State Department has issued a new travel advisory for citizens currently in Lebanon as fears grow that the conflict could erupt into an all-out war.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut urged people to “leave Lebanon while commercial options remain available” and noted that they were already “reducing capacity.”
The embassy added that it “may not be able to assist U.S. citizens who choose to stay”.
Neighboring Jordan’s foreign ministry issued similar advice to its citizens, urging Lebanese to leave as soon as possible.
Cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on October 8, 2023, the day after Hamas gunmen attacked Israel from Gaza, when Hezbollah opened fire on Israeli positions in solidarity with the Palestinians.
Israel has recently seen an increase in returns of displaced persons from the north of the country due to cross-border fighting Its war target list.
Defense Minister Yov Galant said on Thursday that Israel was entering a “A new phase in the war” Focus more efforts on the north.
