LONDON -- The Israeli military was preparing to expand strikes across Lebanon early on Monday, as the long-simmering border conflict with Hezbollah threatened to explode into a larger war.Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Adm.Daniel Hagari said in a statement that more Israeli strikes were planned against Hezbollah "terrorist infrastructure" in the border region and elsewhere."Shortly, the IDF will engage in extensive, precise strikes, against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon," Hagari said early Monday."We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harm's way for their own safety."Israeli President Israel Katz said in a social media post that Israel "will act with full force" to change the current situation in southern Lebanon.Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Katz said, "has taken the people of Lebanon hostage, placing missiles and weapons in their homes and villages to threaten Israel's civilians.""This is a clear war crime," Katz said.
"We will not accept this reality."An Israeli jet is pictured from northern Israel on Sept.23, 2024 amid cross-border hostilities with Hezbollah.Jim Urquhart/ReutersMORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: Netanyahu considering plan to force civilians out of northern Gaza"The people of Lebanon must evacuate any home turned into a Hezbollah outpost to avoid harm," Katz continued.
"We will not stop until the threat is removed from Israel's citizens and the residents of the north return safely to their homes."Thousands of Lebanese cell phone users received a text message from the IDF on Monday warning: "If you are in a building where Hezbollah weapons are located, stay away from the village until further notice." Similar messages were issued over Lebanese radio.The fresh Israeli warnings come after a weekend of intense cross-border fire, with hundreds of rockets, ...