The “Israeli” military said its air force struck on Saturday thousands of rocket launchers in southern Lebanon that posed an "immediate" threat, as fears grew of all-out war with Lebanese group Hezbollah.

“Israeli” aircraft "struck thousands of launcher barrels that were ready for immediate use to fire toward Israeli territory" as well as "approximately 180" other, unspecified targets – according to a statement.

“The IDF will continue operating to dismantle and degrade Hezbollah's capabilities and terror infrastructure,” the statement added.