Israel Calls for Evacuation in Lebanon Amid Renewed Clashes with Hezbollah

JERUSALEM — The Israeli military has issued an urgent call for residents of Lebanon to evacuate homes and buildings where the Hezbollah militant group stores weapons. The call comes after a significant escalation in fighting between the two sides over the weekend.

Hezbollah fired over 100 rockets into northern Israel on Sunday, targeting a wider area than in previous months of low-level conflict. In response, Israel launched dozens of airstrikes on southern Lebanon early Monday.

Residents of villages in southern Lebanon shared images on social media documenting the strikes, with the state-run National News Agency also reporting airstrikes on various locations. The Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that the Israeli air force was targeting Hezbollah facilities across Lebanon.

The escalation follows a Friday airstrike by Israel on a Beirut suburb that killed a top Hezbollah military commander and more than a dozen Hezbollah members, along with dozens of civilians, including women and children.

Last week, thousands of communication devices, widely believed to be used by Hezbollah members, exploded in different parts of Lebanon, resulting in 39 deaths and nearly 3,000 injuries. Lebanon blamed Israel for the attacks, though Israel has not officially confirmed or denied responsibility.