BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese civilians fled the country’s south and Beirut’s southern suburbs Monday, seeking refuge in Lebanon’s capital following a new and deadly escalation between Israel and the Iran-allied Lebanese militant group Hezbollah that left more than 50 people dead.

Israel and Lebanon agreed ‌to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in 2024, ending ​more than a year of fighting between ​Israel and Lebanese militant group ​Hezbollah that had culminated in Israeli strikes that severely ‌weakened the Iran-backed group. Since then, ​the sides have traded ​accusations over violations.

“When war crimes and other grave abuses take place with complete impunity, they are likely to happen again, with civilians paying the price,” said Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Allied countries need to put pressure on Israel and Hezbollah to abide by the laws of war and minimize civilian harm.”

In the pre-dawn hours of Monday morning, Hezbollah opened a new front in the US-Israeli war against Iran when it launched “missiles and a swarm of drones” at a military base in northern Israel.

Israel had warned Hezbollah not to get involved; however, rockets were fired at Jerusalem overnight between Sunday and Monday. The Lebanese government is angry that Hezbollah is dragging Lebanon into

The IDF says it intercepted one rocket that was launched from Lebanon at northern Israel a short while ago. Several additional rockets fell in open areas, the IDF says, as they were not intercepted in accordance with the military’s policies. It says there were no reports of casualties or damage.

Lebanon's prohibited Hezbollah from all military activities, hours after the Iran-backed group fired missiles and drones into northern Israel,

Tens of thousands of Lebanese flee homes in eerily familiar scenes as Israeli strikes leave 52 people dead