Israel restrikes Dahieh after wave of overnight raids

Israeli warplanes started bombarding Beirut's southern suburbs around noon Wednesday after fresh evacuation warnings were issued by Israel for six areas in Haret Hreik and Ghobeiri.

TV footage showed a plume of black smoke rising over the area after a strike, about an hour after Israel’s army told residents to leave, in the third such warning in 24 hours.

"You are located near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah, against which the Israel Defense Forces (military) will act in the near future," army spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a post on X.

Airstrikes had hit Beirut's southern suburbs overnight, as images of fire and smoke emerged from the area.

The evacuation order posted on X by Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee warned people living in houses close to buildings "linked to Hezbollah" to move out, warning of imminent heavy strikes.

The strikes followed a wave of rare daytime raids on the area.