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At least 52 people have been killed and more than 150 injured in Lebanon, as Israel targets operations of the Iran-allied militant group, Hezbollah, after it launched missiles and drones toward Israel.
Lebanon's Prime Minister has banned Hezbollah’s military and security activities, and the United Nations is urging for de-escalation in the region.
Residents in Lebanon are fleeing from southern suburbs in the country's capital Beirut, following Israeli bombardment.
Nadia al-Salman, a displaced resident from Majdal Zoun [[in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon]], says they didn't leave out of fear of the U-S.
"We left our homes not out of fear or terror of the United States, but to fulfil our religious and legal duty to protect ourselves. They do not intimidate or frighten us, and they will not make us retreat even an inch from the path of resistance."
As the US-Israel war on Iran enters its third day, Lebanese Health Ministry says at least 52 people have been killed in Israeli strikes and more than 150 injured.
United Nations spokesman Stéphane Dujarric says the situation on the ground is rapidly intensifying.
“In Lebanon, where we have both a political and peacekeeping presence, tensions are also rising. We're seriously concerned about the exchange of fire across the Blue Line. The situation on the ground is evolving rapidly and we're monitoring developments closely. We're also aware of the strikes aimed at Israel claimed by Hezbollah and the Israeli strikes."
Following the escalating attacks between Israel and militant group Hezbollah, he says they are engaging in talks to de-escalate the situation across the Blue Line.
"We urge utmost restraint and call on the parties to uphold the cessation of hostilities agreement. Both the Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and the UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander, Maj. Gen. (Diodato) Abagnara are engaging with the parties to de-escalate and preserve stability across the Blue Line.”
So what exactly is the Blue Line?
Set by the U-N in 2000, the Blue Line stretches for approximately 120 kilometres along Lebanon’s southern frontier, and is key to peace in the region.
It's not a border, but serves as a 'line of withdrawal', to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from the south of Lebanon.
The Blue Line has always been temporary, and UNIFIL [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon]] peacekeepers are its temporary custodians.
Whenever Israeli or Lebanese authorities wish to undertake any activities, such as maintenance works or security activities, close to the Blue Line, UNIFIL requires advance notice.
Israel said it attacked sites connected to Lebanon's Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah militants, one of Tehran's principal allies in the Middle East, after Hezbollah said it launched missiles and drones toward Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Now, Lebanon's government has taken the unprecedented step of banning Hezbollah's military and security activity, a decision Hezbollah has condemned.
They are demanding Hezbollah hand over its weapons and calls the military action 'illegal'.
Israel says Hezbollah intelligence commander Hussein Makled is among those killed in its strike.
Spokesman for Israel's military Brigadier General Effie Defrin says, as a joint US-Israeli operation continues in Iran, Air Force fighter jets have been flying over Lebanese skies and powerfully attacking dozens of Hezbollah terrorist organisation targets.
"During the day, dozens of Air Force fighter jets, guided by intelligence, dropped more than 250 munitions on targets of the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran. As part of the strikes, we hit basic headquarters and complexes of the regime's internal security bodies."
According to the Israeli military, they have struck more than 70 weapons storage facilities, launch sites and missile launchers belonging to [[Iran-allied militant group]] Hezbollah.
The spokesman says they will act to disarm Hezbollah and remove threats from Israeli citizens, those in the north of the country.
Meanwhile, there have been forced evacuation orders for residents in the southern suburb of Beirut.
Izdihar Yassin is a displaced resident and cancer patient who has missed her treatment since fleeing home.
“We’re a big family and we all had to come here, what can we do? I’m a cancer patient today I had to get treatment in Nabatieh (in the south) which I now can't go to. I’ve been asked before if I can go on without my treatment, but I haven’t tried that before.”
Feryal Sawan is among those who have fled their homes, and is sheltering at a makeshift site near Beirut's seaside.
"We were in the Dahiyeh (Beirut's southern suburbs) and the three strikes happened. My children wanted to have their Suhur (pre-dawn meal during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan), we couldn't have Suhur because of the strikes. So we came straight here, and my children are still fasting. As you can see, we are still staying here. I don't know where our fate is going."
