Israel said it deployed more forces in Lebanon to protect its people, but its military chief said the goal is more ambitious: to disarm Hezbollah. Israel made plans for the incursion well in advance.

Israel again attacked the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon while Iran struck Gulf states that host U.S. bases. The conflict paralysed globally vital energy shipments along with hundreds of flight routes.

Israeli strike hits Hezbollah-aligned media building in Beirut’s southern suburbs following an evacuation warning.

Israel exchanged further strikes with Iran overnight into Tuesday while it continues its assault on Lebanon, intensifying a conflict which has already killed hundreds, caused Washington to warn Americans to leave much of the region and threatens to spark a global energy crisis.

Israel will step up its attacks on Hezbollah and Iran, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit to the Palmachim Airbase with Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

Israel stepped up airstrikes on Iranian missile launchers and a nuclear research site, and Iran retaliated against Israel and across the Gulf region, disrupting energy supplies and travel.

The Israeli military said it had seized areas of southern Lebanon on Tuesday in an 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.

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