What you need to know
- The IDF says it has begun striking targets in southern Lebanon, accusing Hezbollah of a ceasefire breach
- This comes a day after Hezbollah sharply criticized the latest round of talks between Israel and Lebanon's government in Rome
- Earlier on Wednesday, the UN said hundreds of thousands were returning to their homes in Lebanon after several months of comparative calm
Welcome to our updates on developments in the Middle East and the Iran war on August 5, 2026.
Israel's IDF says it's launching 'precise strikes in southern Lebanon'
Israel's military has said it is hitting targets in southern Lebanon, after saying it was "compelled to act" by the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.
"In response to a blatant violation of the ceasefire by Hezbollah, the IDF has begun conducting precise strikes in southern Lebanon," the Israel Defense Forces wrote online.
Slightly earlier on Wednesday, the IDF's Arabic language spokeswoman Ella Waweya had called for residents of Mansouri near the border to evacuate immediately, saying military action was imminent.
"In light of Hezbollah's violations of the ceasefire agreement, the Israel Defense Forces are compelled to act," she wrote. "For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move north."
The incidents come a day after the latest round of talks between Israel and Lebanon's government at the US Embassy in Rome. Hezbollah, which is not party to these talks, had staunchly criticized Lebanese officials for taking part in them on Tuesday.
The talks aim to remove Hezbollah from southern areas and replace them with Lebanese troops, thus facilitating Israel's withdrawal from its unilaterally imposed "buffer zone" near the de facto border.
Welcome to our updates
Hello and welcome to our updates from the conflicts in the Middle East as Israel launches new strikes on targets in Lebanon.
We will be bringing you more on this and other major stories from region in this live blog.