Israeli forces have launched limited incursions in Lebanon, the United States said on Monday, as Israel vowed to keep fighting Hezbollah and sealed part of the border after killing the Iran-backed militants’ leader.

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Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned the battle was not over even after the massive Friday strike on Beirut that killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, dealing the group a seismic blow.

World leaders have urged diplomacy and de-escalation, with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric saying: “We do not want any sort of ground invasion.”

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Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader in Lebanon sparks worldwide protests

Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader in Lebanon sparks worldwide protests

Israeli officials “have informed us that they are currently conducting … limited operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure near the border”, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told journalists.

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The Israeli military has warned residents in Beirut’s suburbs to evacuate ahead of imminent strikes, Reuters reported on Monday night.