Israel has inflicted a series of humiliating blows on the Hezbollah militia in neighbouring Lebanon.

Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly traded fire since then — but the intensity rose to another level Monday, when Israeli airstrikes killed more than 270 people, according to Lebanese officials.

Israel is attempting a risky strategy, increasing the intensity of its attacks in an attempt to force Hezbollah to back down, while raising the chances of an aggressive response that devolves into a land war.

Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as pictured from Marjayoun, near the border with Israel, September 23,

Israel says its strikes will intensify in a campaign that could include further offensive operations against Hezbollah, opening a new war front.

Israel's military says it has struck more than 300 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Monday as residents reportedly are being warned to leave certain areas.

Residents of the northern Israeli city Kiryat Bialik assessed the damage from a Hezbollah strike on Sept. 22. Related. Live updates: Netanyahu pledges to do ‘whatever it takes a

Israel has launched a new wave of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, with residents in some areas being warned to evacuate.