Israel attacked Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on November 6 after the Lebanese group rejected the possibility of direct political talks between the two states and vowed to defend itself.

Hezbollah has been declared a terrorist group by the United States, while the European Union has blacklisted the Lebanese group's military wing, but not the political party.

The Israeli military confirmed the launch of new airstrikes after warning civilians to evacuate several buildings in three villages in Lebanon: Taybeh, Tayr Deba and Aita al-Jabal.

An Israeli strike had already killed one person, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The Israeli military said it had struck a Hezbollah construction team.

Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire in November last year, under a deal backed by the US, France and international mediators, but Israeli attacks on Hezbollah have continued as Israel accuses the group of trying to rebuild its forces.

"We will not allow Hezbollah to arm itself, recover, strengthen itself and threaten the state of Israel," an Israeli government spokesman said, accusing the group of "continued terrorist activities."

Meanwhile, Hezbollah criticized Lebanon's leaders, rejecting suggestions that it might be time to begin direct political talks with Israel.

Lebanon and Israel are still technically at war, but all recent armed conflicts with Israel have been waged by Hezbollah, not the Lebanese army.

The only diplomatic contact between Israel and Lebanon is through a ceasefire monitoring mechanism, which includes the US, France and the United Nations.

This body meets regularly at the headquarters of the UN force in southern Lebanon, but the Lebanese and Israeli sides do not communicate directly with each other.

Hezbollah is the only movement in Lebanon that refused to disarm after the 1975–1990 civil war, claiming initially that it had a duty to liberate territories occupied by Israel, and then to continuously defend the country.

In an open letter to the Lebanese people and their leadership, Hezbollah stated that it rejects “any political negotiations” between Lebanon and Israel and that such talks “would not serve the national interest.”

Hezbollah is backed by Iran and the group waged a war against Israel last year.

Despite saying it rejects political negotiations, the Lebanese group said it remains committed to respecting the ceasefire agreement reached last year with Israel, which ended months of fighting.