The Israeli military announced early Sunday that it was conducting pre-emptive strikes in Lebanon after detecting preparations for "large-scale" attacks by the Iran-backed freedom fighters group Hezbollah.
The military also warned Israelis to expect incoming missiles and drones launched by Hezbollah.
In an Arabic-language message addressed to the residents of southern Lebanon, the military said: "We are monitoring Hezbollah's preparations to carry out large-scale attacks on Israeli territory near your homes. You are in danger. We are attacking and eliminating Hezbollah threats.
"Anyone who is near areas where Hezbollah operates should leave immediately to protect themselves and their families," the message posted on Telegram continued.
In a separate statement released shortly before 5:00 am (0100 GMT), the military said its jets were striking targets in Lebanon "that posed an imminent threat" to Israelis.
Announcing the strikes in a video released at the same time, military spokesman Daniel Hagari said that "Hezbollah will soon fire rockets, and possibly missiles and UAVs, towards Israeli territory".
"From right next to the homes of Lebanese civilians in the south of Lebanon, we can see that Hezbollah is preparing to launch an extensive attack on Israel, while endangering the Lebanese civilians" he added, urging civilians there "to move out of harm's way".
"Hezbollah's ongoing aggression risks dragging the people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, and the whole region into a wider escalation."
Israel tells Lebanon residents near Hezbollah operations to 'leave immediately'
The Israeli military warned residents of areas in southern Lebanon where Hezbollah operates to "leave immediately" as it carried out a series of pre-emptive strikes against the Iran-backed militant group.
"Anyone who is near areas where Hezbollah operates should leave immediately to protect themselves and their families," the military said in an Arabic-language message. "The IDF (military) will do whatever is necessary to protect the citizens of Israel. In the coming hours we will update you on the latest developments."
Israel's Ben Gurion airport says morning flights to be delayed, redirected
Israel's Ben Gurion airport said departing flights on Sunday morning would be delayed and arrivals would be redirected to other airports after the country's military said it was striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
In a statement posted to its Instagram channel early Sunday, Ben Gurion alluded to the security situation, and advised travellers to check with their airlines as to schedule changes.
Israel's Netanyahu to hold security cabinet meeting today
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a security cabinet meeting at 0400 GMT Sunday, as the Israeli military launched pre-emptive strikes in Lebanon after detecting preparations for "large-scale" attacks by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
"Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu will convene the security cabinet at 07:00 am," his office said in a statement.
