Israel orders Lebanese to flee over a dozen towns and villages

Israel's military issued an urgent warning on Tuesday to residents in more than a dozen villages and towns in southern Lebanon, ordering them to evacuate northwards immediately and signalling an imminent attack.

The warning said the action was necessary because of Hezbollah's violation of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, Reuters reported.

Despite a ceasefire signed on 16 April and extended last Thursday, Israel has continued to pound southern Lebanon with artillery fire and air strikes.