At least thirty attacks were carried out during the night in Beirut, reports the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, citing Lebanese media. Several powerful explosions were heard, according to AFP, which is on the scene.
Twice during the night, Israel urged residents in specific, designated areas to evacuate ahead of attacks on marked buildings.
Iran-backed Hezbollah has responded with rockets against Israel, fired from Lebanon. Israel's military says that three drones were also stopped en route to targets in Israel. Meanwhile, ground battles are ongoing in the border areas with Israel.
Israel has also stepped up attacks on targets in Gaza. It claims that the airstrikes were precise attacks on terrorists in a command center in what was previously used as a school in central Gaza, in Deir al-Balah.
Another target in the same area was, according to Israel's military, a Hamas center in a former mosque. Israel says it has done everything possible to minimize the risk of harming civilians.
In the attack on the mosque, which according to al-Aqsa Martyrs' Hospital housed people seeking shelter, at least 18 people were killed, according to AP journalists on the scene who have counted the bodies.
