With Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launching a targeted ground incursion in Lebanon, Tel Aviv on Tuesday ordered the residents of about 30 border villages in south Lebanon to evacuate. The Israeli authorities directed the Lebanese residents to head north of the Awali river, about 35 miles from the border.
"The IDF does not want to harm you and for your own safety you must evacuate your homes immediately," said Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah denied Israel’s claims that the troops had entered Lebanon. The reports that Israeli forces had entered Lebanon were “false claims”, said Hezbollah spokesman Mohammed Afifi.
Afifi also added that Hezbollah is ready for a direct confrontation if Israeli troops cross the border.
Amid intensified attacks, Hezbollah has claimed to have fired missiles at Mossad headquarters and at a military intelligence unit on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. While Israel blamed Hezbollah for firing missiles targeting villages.
“A missile fired by Hezbollah at Israel fell directly in Kfar Qassem, an Arab village in central Israel after Hezbollah once again fired projectiles at central Israel,” said IDF.
More details on Hezbollah chief Nasrallah’s death
New reports on Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah’s death, reveal that he may have “suffocated” from toxic gases inside his secret bunker after Israeli airstrike.
Nasrallah's body was recovered from the site of the airstrike on Sunday. It was reported that his body had no direct wounds.
As the rooms filled with fumes from the smoke and explosions, the 64-year-old may have suffocated and died in "agony", claimed an Israeli news outlet. However, there were also reports that 'blunt trauma' from the blasts might have caused his death.
The Hezbollah chief was killed on Friday.
The Beirut strike was carried out by utilising 80 tons of 'bunker-busting' bombs designed to penetrate fortified structures.
Hezbollah's acting leader Naim Kassem on Monday vowed to continue the fight and said the group is ready for a direct confrontation.