Israeli strikes hit Beirut amid threats on Iranian officials in Lebanon

"Israel's military had earlier issued forced displacement orders for the suburbs where the strikes were reported, warning it was about to hit what it said were targets linked to Hezbollah. It said targets included a facility used by the group's aerial units, without providing evidence."

"Israel on Wednesday gave Iran's representatives in Lebanon 24 hours to leave the country. That deadline has since expired. Al Jazeera's Heidi Pett, reporting from Beirut, said the Iranians seem to believe that this is a threat against their embassy and are threatening any Israeli embassy if their mission is struck."

"Human Rights Watch called the threats deeply concerning, saying this signals an intent to commit a war crime, as people who are not directly involved in hostilities cannot be targeted under international law."

Israeli military operations intensified across Lebanon with strikes targeting southern Beirut neighborhoods of Ghobeiry and Haret Hreik, areas where forced displacement orders were issued. Israel claimed targets included Hezbollah-linked facilities, particularly aerial units, without providing evidence. An Israeli deadline for Iranian officials to leave Lebanon expired, prompting concerns about potential attacks on Iranian diplomatic missions. Human Rights Watch warned that targeting non-combatants constitutes war crimes under international law. Residents responded to midnight evacuation warnings by firing weapons into the air to alert neighbors of imminent strikes, as local communication systems proved inadequate for emergency notifications.

Read at www.aljazeera.com