Israel said it pounded Lebanon's Hezbollah, just hours after the group's leader vowed retribution for deadly explosions that targeted its communication devices, killing 37 people and wounding thousands.

Israel warned residents in the north to stay inside or remain near bomb shelters Thursday after the Israeli Air Force struck Hezbollah military targets inside Lebanon.

Israel has carried out its most intense air strikes on southern Lebanon in nearly a year of war, raising tensions with Hezbollah and fears of a full-scale war Israel's military said jets struck hundreds of multiple-rocket-launcher barrels in southern Lebanon on Thursday that were set to be fired immediately toward Israel.