Benjamin Netanyahu said "terror targets" in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahieh would be struck in response to its rocket and drone attacks on Israeli civilians and other violations of a ceasefire announced in April that has failed to end the fighting. Soon afterwards, there were traffic jams on roads out of the suburbs as many families tried to flee to safety. A senior Lebanese government official said it was relying on US mediation efforts to pressure Israel to end its own violations and prevent further civilian casualties. On Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio proposed a plan for "gradual de-escalation" to Netanyahu and Lebanon's president, according to an American official. In a joint statement released on Monday morning, Israel's prime minister and defence minister said they had ordered the Israeli military to carry out strikes on Dahieh "following the Hezbollah terrorist organisation's repeated and ongoing violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon and its attacks against our civilians and cities". They gave no further details and there were no immediate evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military - a move that usually precedes Israeli aerial attacks.

But families, crammed into cars stuffed with suitcases, blankets and whatever belongings they could carry, streamed out of the suburbs in response, joining thousands fleeing towards the mountains as fears of further violence mounted. Two parents and their two children were squeezed on to a single scooter. Other vehicles carried several generations packed together, with babies sitting on their parents' laps, clutching small toys as they crawled through the gridlock. Few drivers wanted to stop and talk, anxious not to hold up the traffic and focused on reaching safety. (BBC)