At least five Israeli strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs earlier today, a Lebanese security source said, as the Israeli military said it was targeting Hezbollah sites and issued several evacuation orders, AFP reports.

“At least five Israeli strikes targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs,” the source said, requesting anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

AFP correspondents heard multiple explosions and saw smoke rising in one area while a fire appeared to burn.

The Israeli military claimed early on Wednesday that it was “currently striking Hezbollah terror targets in Beirut”.

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee had earlier on X issued several orders for residents to leave. “You are located near dangerous Hezbollah facilities, which the IDF (Israeli military) will act against with force in the near future,” read one of the warnings, which mentioned the area of Haret Hreik.