BEIRUT — Israeli warplanes launched a series of heavy airstrikes on Haret Hreik, a neighborhood in Beirut’s southern suburb, early Saturday, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

The Israeli army issued evacuation orders to residents of buildings in the southern suburb of Beirut, warning them to leave immediately in preparation for further targeted airstrikes.

Avichay Adraee, an Israeli army spokesperson, released maps marking buildings set to be targeted in red. The spokesman claimed these sites were near Hezbollah-associated facilities and interests.

He urged residents to evacuate the buildings and those nearby, maintaining a distance of at least 500 meters.

This attack follows four waves of airstrikes on Friday, targeting command centers, weapons depots, and infrastructure linked to terrorist activities in the southern suburb.

In addition to the strikes on Beirut, Israeli warplanes targeted the towns of Arabsalim, Sajd, and Sa'ir al-Gharbiya in Nabatieh.

The Israeli army also shelled areas near Shamaa and Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon's Tyre district, as reported by the National News Agency.

The air campaign against Lebanon, launched by Israel in late September, targets Hezbollah and marks an escalation from the previous year of cross-border warfare.

Since last October, Israeli attacks have killed over 3,400 people, injured nearly 14,600, and displaced more than 1 million, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Despite international warnings of a looming regional war, Israel escalated the conflict further with a ground assault into southern Lebanon on October 1. — Agencies