Israeli forces have launched a series of attacks across southern and eastern Lebanon, as Israel targets the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah amid the joint Israel–United States war on Iran.

The Israeli army warned of imminent strikes on southern Lebanon’s Tyre and Sidon on Tuesday, after National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes launched overnight attacks on the towns of Almajadel, Chaqra, Srifa and in the Bekaa Valley.

“Urgent warning to the residents of Tyre and Sidon. The IDF will soon attack military infrastructure belonging to the terrorist organisation Hezbollah,” the military’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, posted on X, urging residents in the area to “evacuate immediately and move at least 300 metres [about 1,000ft] away”.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified since the reported killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during US-Israeli strikes last week. Since then, the opposing forces have clashed in eastern Lebanon, while Israel has carried out attacks across the country, including the capital, Beirut.

“There is a battle for control over south Lebanon, with the Israeli military increasing its presence along the border and within Lebanese territory,” said Zeina Khodr of Al Jazeera, reporting from Zahrani.

Israeli media report that Israel wants to expand its presence in southern Lebanon and widen the buffer zone, she said, but Hezbollah claims it has so far repelled advances along several fronts.

At least 486 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since Monday last week, according to the country’s Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

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