High-level diplomatic contacts are underway between Lebanese officials and influential countries in an attempt to contain the escalation and avert a widespread attack on Beirut's southern suburbs, An-Nahar newspaper reported late on Thursday.

According to the information, the efforts have intensified in recent hours amid growing fears of expanded strikes, and diplomatic activity aims to prevent a further deterioration of the situation on the ground.

Israel launched a series of strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut Thursday after ordering all residents of the densely populated area to evacuate.

Israel's military chief said Thursday he had ordered troops to expand the area under Israeli control in southern Lebanon, as the country's ongoing operation against Hezbollah intensified.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday "everything" must be done to prevent Lebanon "from once again being drawn into war", urging both Israel and Hezbollah to halt military operations.

The Lebanese health ministry said on Thursday that the death toll from Israeli strikes on Lebanon has risen to 102 since the country was drawn into regional war earlier this week.

The ministry added that 638 people have also been wounded since Monday, adding that the tolls were likely to increase as hospitals receive more victims.

An expanded extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly of the Druze Religious Council was held Thursday at the Druze Community Center in Beirut, at the invitation of Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Akl Sami Abi al-Muna, and in the presence of former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat, along with political, social, and religious figures.

A phone call took place Thursday between French President Emmanuel Macron and Speaker Nabih Berri, during which they discussed "the dire situation resulting from the Israeli aggression against Lebanon and the recent developments in Beirut's southern suburbs, including the displacement of its residents," Berri's office said.

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned Thursday that a southern Beirut suburb, a stronghold of Hezbollah, will face devastation similar to Gaza after the Israeli military told residents to evacuate.

The Lebanese government said on Thursday it would ban any activity by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps -- a main backer of Hezbollah -- and seek to deport its members from Lebanon.

Information Minister Paul Morcos said the country's cabinet had decided to "prevent any activity" that members of the Iran Guards "may carry out from Lebanese territory... and to have them detained by the competent judiciary to deport them".

Engaged in a new war with Hezbollah, the Israeli army announced this week its intention to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon while its forces began advancing into border towns.

What is the purpose of creating this buffer zone and what risks does it pose?