The Israeli military on Tuesday urged all vessels in the maritime zone off the coast of southern Lebanon to immediately head north of the city of Tyre, warning that it would operate in the area.

Lebanon's health ministry said Tuesday that the death toll in more than a month of war between Israel and Hezbollah had reached 1,530.

President Joseph Aoun said Tuesday that he will not allow strike to occur in war-hit Lebanon. "Anyone attempting to fuel such a trend — whether through social media or media outlets — poses a danger to Lebanon and is committing an act worse than the Israeli attacks," he said, adding that no one can afford to endure internal strife.

"During my term, I will not allow anyone to accuse (Christian) citizens who remained steadfast in their villages and towns (in south Lebanon) of collaboration or treason," Aoun said, calling again for negotiations to end the Israeli war.

The Israeli military said on Tuesday it had completed the deployment of ground troops along a "defense line" in southern Lebanon, where it is fighting Hezbollah.

A Lebanese military source said the Israeli army had advanced to a depth of between five and nine kilometers inside Lebanese territory.

Hezbollah reported "fierce clashes" between its fighters and Israeli soldiers in Bint Jbeil on Tuesday, as Israel said it had completed the deployment of ground troops in south Lebanon.

The group said it targeted overnight into Tuesday troops and Merkava tanks in Bint Jbeil and other towns near the border.

The Israeli army struck and bombed overnight into Tuesday several towns and villages in south Lebanon after it issued an evacuation warning for more than 40 southern Lebanese towns.

Strikes and shelling hit Jwaya, Beit Yahoun, Jennata, Jmayjmeh, Hanaway, Majdalzoun, Wadi al-Hujair, Zebdine, Deir al-Zahrani, Maarakeh, Yohmor-Shqif, Arab Salim, Tebnine, al-Hosh, Kfardounin, Betoulay, Sreereh, al-Qatrani, Henniyyeh, al-Qlayleh, Tayr Debba, Sultanieh, Ain Baal, Mayfadoun, Barish, Wadi Sinai, Safad al-Battikh, Shaqra, Burj Qalaway, Tebnine, Baraashit and Haddatha. At least five people were killed in the strikes.

Two years ago, Dr. Mohammed Ziara watched Israel ravage Gaza's health care system, shelling hospitals, striking ambulances and forcing patients to evacuate.

Now Ziara — along with many other medical workers, human rights groups and civilians — warns that the same scenario is unfolding in Lebanon.

According to Lebanon’s General Security chief, Hassan Choucair, contacts are ongoing by Washington and Cairo to protect and reopen the Masnaa border crossing.

It’s been closed since Saturday after Israel warned it could be targeted over alleged weapons smuggling by Hezbollah. Officials in Lebanon and Syria deny that claim, saying vehicles are thoroughly inspected.

Iran has rejected a proposed truce in its war with the United States and Israel, state media reported, despite a stark threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to destroy its vital infrastructure.

"Iran has conveyed to Pakistan its response to the American proposal to end the war," the news agency IRNA said, without revealing its source or what the U.S. offer contained.

The Israeli army confirmed Monday that it attacked a day earlier a "terrorist target" in the Northern Metn town of Ain Saadeh east of Beirut, adding that reports of civilian casualties and "all details of the incident" are being reviewed.