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.

The military has not given any geographical details on the furthest point to which its soldiers have advanced into Lebanese territory.

Hezbollah announced overnight into Tuesday attacks on Israeli targets in south Lebanon and across the border, including launching an advanced missile and attack drones at a base near the central city of Hadera.

The group said it targeted Metula, Margaliot, Malikiyya, Misgav Am, Hanita, Shlomi, Yir'on, Even Menachem, Kfar Yuval, Kiryat Shmona, Sa'sa', Netua, Kerem Ben Zimra, Safad, Hulata and the Hounin Barracks in northern Israel, as well as troops and Merkava tanks in Taybeh, Ainata, Khiam, Markaba, Maroun al-Ras, Aita al-Shaab and Kfarkela in south Lebanon.

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 Jennata, Jmayjmeh, Hanaway, Majdalzoun, Wadi al-Hujair, Zebdine, Deir al-Zahrani, Maarakeh, 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.

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.

An Israeli strike hit Beirut's southern suburbs on Monday as Israel's army said it was targeting Hezbollah, with the raid sending a large plume of smoke billowing across the skyline.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Sunday killed at least 15 people, a day after Israel threatened to hit Lebanon's main border crossing with Syria, forcing it to close.

Lebanese Christians marked Easter Sunday by turning their prayers to the south, where villages remain trapped by fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said attacks by Israel and Hezbollah near its positions "could potentially draw return fire".