The head of Lebanon's largest Christian party said Iran-backed Hezbollah should relinquish its weapons as quickly as possible to end its year-long war with Israel and spare Lebanon further death and destruction.

At least twelve heavy airstrikes have hit areas known to be Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs, security sources and eyewitnesses said. The strikes came after an Israeli army spokesman sent a warning on the social media platform X to evacuate areas in Beirut's southern suburbs.

Israel will attack any attempt to bring weapons to Hezbollah from Syria, Israel's military spokesperson said on Thursday.