Lebanese state media has said Israeli air strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs shortly after Israel’s military warned residents to leave parts of the area, AFP reports.

The official National News Agency reported an air raid near the Lebanese University and another on the Burj al-Barajneh suburb.

The official news outlet later said the aerial attack had also hit the Al Jamous neighbourhood, which it said was not included in the Israeli army’s warning.

Echoes of the attack rang out over Beirut, while thick black smoke blanketed the region, state media reported.