Israel said on Saturday it is preparing for more intense rocket fire by the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expand their operation in southern Lebanon.
Earlier, the IDF ordered the evacuation of residents from 10 villages in Lebanon after renewed exchanges of fire with Iranian-backed Hezbollah.
An army spokesman said on Saturday that the evacuation order was issued in response to what Israel described as continued violations of the ceasefire arrangement by Hezbollah.
Arab television stations reported Israeli airstrikes on targets around the Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh.
According to the Lebanese television station LBC, at least three people were killed. No official confirmation of casualties has yet been issued.
Hezbollah fired around 10 to 15 rockets in four waves at northern Israel during the night.
According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, citing local authorities, 10 rockets were fired at the border town of Kiryat Shmona.
Israel’s air defence system intercepted nine of them, while one struck the town centre, causing property damage. No injuries were reported.
Hezbollah said on Telegram that it had attacked Israeli forces in southern Lebanon using explosive devices, artillery shells and rockets. The group claimed that Israeli soldiers were injured. These claims could not be independently verified.
Despite a ceasefire agreed between the Lebanese and Israeli governments in April, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has continued. Hezbollah is not party to the agreement and refuses to enter into negotiations with Israel.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently stated that the army would crack down hard on Hezbollah and escalate its attacks.
