Lebanon fears Gaza-level violence by Israel

Associated Press Jerusalem: Nearly 700 people have been killed in Lebanon this week, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Israel has dramatically escalated strikes, saying it is targeting Hezbollah's military capacities and senior Hezbollah commanders. Top Israeli officials have threatened to repeat the destruction of Gaza in Lebanon if the Hezbollah fire continues, raising fears that Israel's actions in Gaza since October 7 would be repeated in Lebanon.

The International Organisation for Migration estimated on Thursday that more than 200,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas after it stormed into Israel, sparking the Israel- Hamas war. Lebanon says a total of 1,540 people have been killed within its borders in that time. The United States, France and other allies jointly called for a 21- day cease-fire.

Lebanon's foreign minister said the country welcomed the cease-fire efforts, and decried Israel's systematic destruction of Lebanese border villages. Israeli military vehicles were seen transporting tanks and armoured vehicles toward the country's northern border with Lebanon, and commanders have issued a call-up of reservists. Netanyahu says Israel is striking Hezbollah with full force and won't stop until its goals are achieved.

Israeli military reports more strikes from Lebanon Incoming fire from Lebanon: into Israel continued Friday, with one man suffering wounds from shrapnel. The Israeli military said four drones came across the border Friday, all of which were intercepted. Earlier Friday, the Israeli miltiary said another 10 projectiles came into Israel from Lebanon, with some intercepted and others falling into open fields. Hezbollah claimed it had targeted the Israeli city of Tiberias with missiles.

Israeli strike in Syria kills 5 soldiers: An overnight Israeli airstrike on a military site in the area of Kfar Yabous in Syria near the border with Lebanon killed five Syrian army soldiers and injured another, Syrian state news agency SANA reported Friday, citing an unnamed military official.