Israel launches fresh airstrikes near Beirut airport as string of explosions heard

ISRAEL has launched fresh airstrikes near Beirut airport as a series of loud explosions was heard in the Lebanese capital. At least one strike hit outside the perimeter of the international airport and smoke was seen nearby after jets were heard overhead. Lebanon’s army earlier on Thursday fired back at Israeli troops for the first time in a major escalation amid fears of an all-out war in the region. Thousands of civilians have already fled the country’s south as the showdown between Hezbollah and Israel intensifies. Israel warned people to evacuate 25 more areas of Lebanon - signalling its ground invasion to demolish Hezbollah’s war machine is about to expand. Today, the Lebanese army confirmed it had been drawn into the bloody showdown between Hezbollah and Israel for the first time - almost a year into the conflict. Read more: The Sun delivers breaking news, latest g