Israel conducted strikes against Beirut and battles raged in Lebanon’s south after the Hezbollah claimed 50 attacks on Israeli targets the day before, AFP reports.

The Israeli army warned in a statement on X it would target Hezbollah “facilities and interests” in Beirut’s southern suburbs, the Iran-backed group’s main stronghold.

The military later said the air force had “conducted intelligence-based strikes on several Hezbollah command centres” in the area.

Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported “three strikes on the vicinity of Haret Hreik”, and AFPTV images showed thick smoke rising from the southern suburbs.

The strikes followed heavy raids on the area the night before.

Lebanon’s education ministry suspended classes for schools, technical institutes and private higher education institutions in Beirut and a number of surrounding areas, citing “the current dangerous conditions”.