Lebanon's health care system, already battered by other crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the horrific explosion at Beirut port, now has to gear up for a possible wider conflict with Israel, Lebanon's Health Minister Firas Abiad told reporters.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has advised all Australians currently in Lebanon to leave the country immediately. This advice comes amidst increasing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, leading to heightened concerns over the security situation in the region.

Northern Israel was engulfed in chaos on Thursday morning as sirens blared across the Galilee region, signalling a sudden barrage of rockets and drones launched by Hezbollah.

"We are very close to the moment when we will decide to change the rules of the game against Hezbollah and Lebanon,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has said.