Israel has launched a new wave of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, with residents in some areas being warned to evacuate.
Missiles slammed into southern Lebanon, shattering the early-morning silence Monday as Israel said it was targeting weapons hidden in residential buildings. The explosions came as Israel heralded a new wave of attacks on the Iran-backed group in Lebanon, warning civilians to flee from any areas where the organization had weapons or fighters positioned.
The warnings, delivered with automated phone calls, text messages and reportedly even over Lebanese radio stations hacked into by Israel’s military, came after a between the two bitter enemies in the heart of the Middle East.
Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets in a salvo over the weekend, and it sent them hurtling deeper into northern Israel and « toward civilian areas », according to the Israeli military, wounding at least three people and spreading panic further into a region where many villages have already been abandoned.
In a video posted on social media, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Monday morning that raids on homes and other buildings being used by Hezbollah to hide and launch weapons in Lebanon would « begin soon », warning residents to follow orders from the Israeli army to evacuate.
« The raids will begin soon. Evacuate the houses where #Hezbollah has hidden weapons immediately », Adraee said in the video, speaking Arabic. « Hezbollah is lying to you and sacrificing you. »
« We are deepening our attacks in Lebanon, the actions will continue until we achieve our goal to return the northern residents safely to their homes », Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said in his own video message, warning his nation of « days ahead of us when the public will have to show composure.
