Rear-Adml Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesman, said: “‏In a self-defence act to remove these threats, the [Israeli military] is striking terror targets in Lebanon, from which Hezbollah was planning to launch their attacks on Israeli civilians.”

Sirens sounded in northern Israel and flights to and from Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv were suspended, though they resumed later on Sunday morning. 

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, convened an urgent meeting of Israel’s security cabinet. Mr Netanyahu said Israel would take all measures necessary to defend itself. “We are determined to do everything possible to defend our country, to return the residents of the north safely to their homes and to continue to uphold a simple rule: Whoever harms us – we harm him,” he said in a statement.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said one person had been killed in a strike on a car in the town of Khiam. Lebanese media reported other strikes across the south, and footage of apparent strikes circulated on social media.