IDF announces operations in Lebanon to prevent attacks by Hezbollah

The Israeli army announced Sunday that it is conducting preemptive bombing raids in Lebanon after detecting preparations by the Iranian-backed Islamist group Hezbollah to launch "major attacks."

In a statement in Arabic, the armed force warned that it is "monitoring Hezbollah's preparations to carry out major attacks on Israeli territory near their homes (...) We are attacking and eliminating the Hezbollah threat."

He therefore called on the inhabitants of the area to "withdraw immediately."

"Whoever is in the areas near where Hezbollah operates must withdraw immediately to protect himself and his family," the statement added.

"The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) will do whatever is necessary to protect the citizens of Israel. We will update you in the coming hours with the latest developments," it said.