Halevi warns anew of Lebanon 'offensive'

Israeli army chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi has toured fire-affected areas in Kiryat Shmona and said Israel "was approaching a point where a decision will have to be made".

Munitions fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah on Monday evening had ignited several blazes across northern Israel.

"Hezbollah has increased its attacks in recent days and we are prepared after a very good process of training ... to move to an offensive in the north," Halevi said in a statement.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) also reported fires in Alma al-Shaab and Dhayra, two villages near the border with Israel. It said the fires were caused by "Israeli phosphorus incendiary shells".

Halevi had last month told troops on the northern border that the military was preparing for an "offensive" there, while Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Monday the Israeli military should invade Lebanon and push "hundreds of thousands of Lebanese" away from the border area.