The Israeli army on Saturday ordered the evacuation of residents from 24 towns and villages in southern Lebanon.
The army reported that there had been several drone attacks by the Lebanese Hezbollah militia on northern Israel since Friday evening.
Army spokesman Avichay Adraee posted on X in Arabic that residents should leave their homes immediately for their own safety and move north of the Zahrani River. Anyone staying near Hezbollah fighters, their facilities or munitions is putting their life at risk, he wrote.
It was initially unclear how many people were affected by the evacuation.
Lebanese security sources report heavy attacks
Following the call for evacuation, Lebanese security sources reported heavy Israeli attacks using fighter jets, drones and artillery on targets in the affected communities – for example, Kfar Ruman, Nabatiyeh and the nearby hills.
Some areas, including most of Nabatiyeh and Kfar Ruman, had already been virtually deserted before the new warning.
The Israeli army said on X that more than 70 Hezbollah facilities had been attacked in the past 24 hours, including launch sites and buildings.
Hezbollah attacks northern Israel
The Israeli army had previously reported several air raid alerts in northern Israel following suspected drone attacks by Hezbollah. Among the areas affected were the border towns of Metula and Misgav Am.
Hezbollah said it had attacked two Israeli military vehicles in southern Lebanon using drones.
A ceasefire has been in place between Israel and the Lebanese government since April. The current conflict is between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia - which refuses to negotiate with Israel.
Both Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other of continuously violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli troops are deployed in southern Lebanon and have unilaterally declared areas to be "security zones."
