Events in North amount to 'Third Lebanon War,' security official says

A third Lebanon War has already begun in the wake of the significant IDF strikes against Hezbollah deep into Lebanon, a security official estimated on Monday in comments to Ynet.

"I don't think it's too early to refer to these events in the Northern as the 'Third Lebanon War,'" the official said.

The official told Ynet that in the early afternoon, the IDF will launch an attack "on a massive scale" in rural areas of Lebanon.

The source added that Hezbollah's potential response could be larger in scale and involve a broader range of fire than it has engaged in before.

"Hezbollah will certainly respond with large amounts of fire on northern Israel," added the source, "and possibly also on targets in Tel Aviv." 

IDF Spokesperson R. Admiral Daniel Hagari, for the first time, issued a broad warning to the general public in southern Lebanon that if they have not already moved away from houses and other civilian buildings where Hezbollah has stored rockets or undertaken other actions, they must now leave those areas.

New stage of war

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant asked the Israeli public on Monday to retain composure after the IDF conducted new strikes on Hezbollah and warned Lebanese civilians to evacuate structures where the terror organization has stored rockets or undertaken other actions.

"At this new stage of the war - our success depends on the behavior of the public. There are days ahead of us when the public will have to show composure."

Israel's Home Front Command warned on Monday morning to expect a day of heavy fighting with Hezbollah, Army Radio reported. 

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.