Latest from Israel and Lebanon: Israel urges Lebanese to leave Hezbollah targets as ‘widespread’ attacks begin

Yolanda Knell
Middle East Correspondent in Jerusalem

Videos on social media showed powerful explosions in southern Lebanon, where the Israeli military said it had launched widespread attacks on Hezbollah targets after identifying plans to launch large-scale rocket fire at Israel.

Israeli authorities say today’s attacks are likely to be more serious than yesterday’s heavy bombing.

Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said this morning that residents of southern Lebanon had been told to stay away from Hezbollah checkpoints.

Asked by reporters about a possible Israeli ground invasion, he said Israel “will do whatever is needed” to ensure that evacuated residents of northern Israel can safely return to their homes.

Yesterday Hezbollah fired rockets deep into Israeli territory.

Although the armed group had previously vowed to fight until a ceasefire in Gaza was reached, its deputy leader, Naim Kassem, told attendees at the funeral of a senior commander killed by Israel in Beirut last week that an “open fight for accountability” had begun.