Israel declares 48-hour emergency amid rising tensions with Lebanon
What's the story
Israel has declared a state of emergency for the next 48 hours due to escalating tensions with Lebanon, The Times of Israel reported.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said this "special situation in the home front" grants additional powers to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Home Front Command over civilian population for their protection.
It is valid for 48 hours, unless extended by cabinet ministers.
Warning issued
IDF warns Lebanese citizens of potential attacks
Earlier, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari also issued a warning to Lebanese citizens in southern Lebanon about possible retaliatory attacks from Israel.
This comes in response to strikes by Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon.
Hagari stated at a press conference, "We warn the Lebanese citizens who are in southern Lebanon; we recognize that Hezbollah is now preparing to shoot widely into Israeli territory near your home."
Safety measures
Hagari urges civilians to stay away from Hezbollah areas
Hagari further cautioned that anyone near areas where Hezbollah operates should immediately distance themselves.
He predicted that Hezbollah will soon launch rockets, possibly missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), toward Israeli territory.
Israel launched a series of powerful airstrikes in southern Lebanon early Sunday, in what it claimed as a preemptive move against the militant group Hezbollah.
The IDF said Hezbollah "has just launched over 150 projectiles from Lebanon toward Israeli territory."
Pre-emptive action
IDF launches pre-emptive strikes in Lebanon
Shortly afterwards, Hezbollah stated it had launched a large-scale drone attack on Israel in response to the killing of its top military leader Fuad Shukr last month.
Hezbollah claimed that its strike included over 320 Katyusha rockets aimed at various locations in Israel, as well as a "large number" of drones.
It stated that the operation will target "a qualitative Israeli military target that will be announced later" as well as "enemy sites, barracks, and Iron Dome (missile defense) platforms."