The Israeli military said it had sent more troops to help in the conflict in Lebanon.
Regular infantry and armoured units were joining its ground operations in Lebanon, a day after Israel was attacked by Iran in a strike that raised fears the oil-producing Middle East could be engulfed in a wider conflict.
Bolstering its forces suggests that the operation may move beyond limited commando raids.
Israel continued airstrikes on Beirut on Wednesday.Credit: Getty Images
The military has said its incursion is largely aimed at destroying tunnels and other infrastructure on the border and there were no plans for a wider operation targeting Beirut or major cities in southern Lebanon.
Nevertheless, it issued new evacuation orders for around two dozen towns along the southern border, instructing inhabitants to head north of the Awali River, which flows east to west some 60 km north of the Israeli border.