Israel renews Lebanon assault as Netanyahu vows ‘many surprises’ in next phase

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, Lebanon (Hussein Malla/AP)

Israel renewed its assault on southern Lebanon early on Sunday, including targeting commanders of the Lebanese branch of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised “many surprises” for the next phase of the conflict.

The Israeli military said in a statement that it would “not allow Iranian terrorist elements to establish themselves in Lebanese territory”.