Israel launches nearly 40 air strikes on southern Lebanon  (File photo)

Havana, August 25 (RHC)-- The so-called Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched an offensive on Sunday against targets of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, amid indications that it was planning an attack against Lebanon.

According to IDF spokesman Admiral Daniel Hagari, in the near future, Hezbollah "will launch rockets, and possibly missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, towards the territory of the State of Israel."

The military ordered residents of all communities and border towns in the northern Golan Heights to remain near air raid shelters.

For its part, the Israel Airport Authority announced that, due to the security situation, departures from Ben Gurion Airport are delayed and no planes will take off in the coming hours.

Meanwhile, Lebanese media reported about 40 Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.

Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant subsequently declared a state of emergency in the country for the next 48 hours.  (Source: Russia Today)