Israel has carried out extensive air strikes on southern Lebanon targeting positions of the Iranian-backed group, Hezbollah At least eight people have died in Lebanon, and almost 3,000 are wounded, after pagers being used by Hezbollah exploded in southern Beirut and several other areas of the country.

Israel launched a wave of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, just as the militant group’s leader said two days of device explosions amounted to a declaration of war.