Tel Aviv, 22 October 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Israel is evacuating more villages in the north of the country in light of escalating hostilities with Hezbollah militants.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant approved the evacuation of 14 more settlements, his office said on Sunday.

A week ago, Israel declared a 4-kilometre closed military zone in the border area with Lebanon.

Israel has pounded the Hamas-run Gaza Strip with airstrikes after the October 7 massacres in southern Israeli border towns.

Since then, there have also been exchanges of fire on the border between Israel and Lebanon, with deaths resulting on both sides.

Israel and the United States have warned Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran, not to open a second front in the war.

Photo: MIA archive