The widespread orders across southern Lebanon came amid what appeared to be intensifying efforts to reach a cease-fire.

Israel said headway was being made in US-mediated efforts to achieve a cease-fire in Lebanon, but that it still needed guarantees on resuming military operations if there are any infractions by Hezbollah.

Israel is increasingly operating in parts of Lebanon which are not widely populated by Shias, who are most likely to support Hizbullah. This is stoking fears that Israel hopes to inflame Lebanon’s long-standing sectarian divisions and thus foment political change.