The Israeli military said it had seized areas of southern Lebanon on Tuesday in its escalating conflict with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, as the State Department closed its embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after drone attacks and urged Americans to depart immediately from 14 Middle East countries.

The death of Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei triggered waves of rocket and drone attacks on Israel by Hezbollah, prompting Israel to respond with airstrikes against the militant group.View on euronews

Beirut, Lebanon – Hezbollah raised the stakes for the Lebanese government on Tuesday, when it launched an attack on Israel’s Ramat Airbase and a barrage of rockets another military facility in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, a day after Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s cabinet announced a ban on Hezbollah’s military and security activities.

Many people in Lebanon are fleeing their homes after Hezbollah launched missiles into Israel from Lebanon in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and Israel retaliated

BEIRUT, March 2 (Reuters) - Lebanon's government on Monday banned ⁠military ⁠activities by Hezbollah after it opened fire on Israel to ⁠avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader, a move likely to fuel tension with the Tehran-backed group as it faces a new Israeli offensive.

"His elimination has significantly degraded PIJ’s ability to carry out terrorist operations against Israel," the IDF said

The IDF has intensified its attacks on the city since beginning a war with Iran on Saturday Credit: AFP via Israel has launched a ground invasion of Lebanon, marking a major escalation of the war in the Middle East.

Across Iran’s capital, explosions rang out overnight as the U.S. and Israel pounded Iran with airstrikes. Iran and its allies have hit back against Israel and neighboring Gulf states.