Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have warned residents of southern Lebanon, who live near sites used by the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, to move away from the areas ahead of extensive strikes.

“Shortly, the IDF would engage in extensive, precise strikes, against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon,” the army said in a Telegram post.

“We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harm’s way for their own safety.”

Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said that Hezbollah had turned southern Lebanon into a battlefield.

“In doing so, the militia has put you and your families in danger,” the spokesman said, while addressing residents in southern Lebanon.

Hagari said the warning affected dozens of villages in a zone up to 80km north of the Israeli border.

Hagari said that the strikes on targets in Lebanon were coming after the IDF identified Hezbollah preparations to launch rockets at Israel.

He added that the strikes would continue to “remove the threats”. (dpa/NAN)