BEIRUT, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday, warning residents of several villages to evacuate as tensions continued to rise despite an almost year-long ceasefire.

The latest strikes have triggered fresh displacement, with heavy traffic reported as residents flee targeted areas. Several private schools in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh area announced closures on Friday to avoid exposing students and teachers to danger.

The attacks marked the latest in a series of escalating Israeli operations that Lebanese sources said have intensified throughout early November.