Israel launches violent raids on southern Lebanon as China urges nationals to leave

Israeli forces intensified their cross-border attacks on Lebanon overnight Wednesday-Thursday with a series of 10 raids across eight different southern areas within 45 minutes, Lebanese media reported on Thursday.

The attacks took place around 1am local time, according to security sources, adding that the strikes targeted and destroyed several buildings in the Khiam, Kfarchouba, Mhaybib, Aita al-Chaab, Ghazziye, Ramiye, and Kaouthraiyet al-Sayyed, villages that lie about 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) past the Blue Line. No casualties were reported.

The Israeli military said that its air forces had hit more than 10 "Hezbollah targets" in different areas in southern Lebanon.

The army claimed on X that "among the targets attacked were weapons depots, military buildings, and a launcher used by Hezbollah to carry out operations against Israel".

Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced it had targeted Israeli army barracks in northern Israel.

Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV reported that the group had hit Israeli army barracks with artillery shells and Katyusha rockets late on Wednesday.

The Lebanese group said the strikes had been in response to Israeli attacks in the Beqaa valley the previous night, which killed one person and injured 20 others.

Another strike on Lebanon's Sidon on Wednesday also killed Khalil Maqdah, described by the Palestinian Fatah movement as "one of the leaders" of its armed wing in the country.

The attack led to accusations by Fatah that Israel was trying to ignite a regional war.

It also came hours after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended a tour of the Middle East aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Israel's war on Gaza.

The killing of Maqdah marked the first time Israel has targeted a senior Fatah member in more than 10 months of cross-border clashes with Hezbollah.

Israeli media reported that the Israel was preparing a strong response to the latest heavy rocket barrages launched by Hezbollah targeting northern Israel.

Israel's Channel 12 said late on Wednesday that the Israeli military had begun moving troops and sending reinforcements to the northern border area amid reports of a broader escalation.

Israeli news site Walla reported that Hezbollah's latest attacks "necessitate a strong response" from Israel, citing Israeli security sources.

"The current level of risk to travel in Lebanon's South and Nabatieh Governorates is red (extremely high risk), and other areas are orange (high risk)."

The statement advised Chinese citizens in Lebanon to "take the opportunity while commercial flights are still running to return to China or leave the country as soon as possible".

Multiple nations have this month called for their citizens to leave Lebanon with the belief that a major escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, and possibly Iran, is inevitable.