Israel launches major airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Southern Lebanon

The Israeli military said dozens of warplanes were striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon late Saturday, as cross-border exchanges intensify amid growing fears of all-out war.

Israel also announced additional security measures for the country's north.

"In the last hour we are attacking widely in southern Lebanon following the identification of Hezbollah's preparations to fire into Israeli territory," military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement shortly after 8:00 pm (1700 GMT).

"Dozens of air force aircraft are currently attacking terror targets and launchers to eliminate threats against the citizens of Israel."

Earlier in the day the military said it had hit thousands of rocket launcher barrels and other targets belonging to Hezbollah.

The barrages came one day after an Israeli strike on Beirut killed 37 people, according to Lebanese officials, including senior commanders of Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Friday's strike followed sabotage attacks on pagers and two-way radios used by Hezbollah on Tuesday and Wednesday, which killed 39 people. Hezbollah blamed Israel, which has not commented.

Hezbollah began cross-border attacks on Israel after Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border.

On Tuesday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an expansion of the country's war goals to include the return of northern Israeli residents.

"It is possible that rockets and additional threats will be launched towards the country in the near future," Hagari said in his televised statement.

In a separate statement late Saturday, the military said it was tightening restrictions on public gatherings in northern Israel.

"Gatherings will be limited to 30 participants in an open area, to 300 participants in a closed space," the statement said.

"Arrival to work is permitted as long as there is a protected space available, and educational activities can continue as long as there are protected spaces available," the statement added, referring to shelters.