BEIRUT (AP) — Israeli jets struck several towns in southern Lebanon on Thursday after urging residents to leave, marking an escalation in their near-daily strikes on the country.

The airstrikes came hours after Hezbollah urged the Lebanese government not to enter negotiations with Israel.

Israeli Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned residents in Tayba near the border, Tayr Debba located just east of the coastal city of Tyre, and Aita al-Jabal, to flee 500 meters (about 1,600 feet) away from residential buildings they are targeting, which they say has been used by Hezbollah. It later issued another warning for the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, near the city of Nabatieh.

The Israeli military said it targeted military infrastructure for Hezbollah in those areas. It accused the group of

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