Israel, Hezbollah trade fire, Israeli minister warns of ‘hot summer’ at Lebanon border

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel carried out heavy airstrikes in south Lebanon and Hezbollah said it had launched explosive drones and rockets at Israeli targets on Wednesday as Israel's defence minister warned of a "hot summer" in the border region. Lebanon's National News Agency reported Israeli strikes on 28 towns and villages of south Lebanon, a Hezbollah stronghold. The displacement of some 60,000 residents of northern Israel has prompted calls within Israel for firmer military action against Hezbollah. Across the border in Lebanon, some 90,000 people have also been displaced by Israeli strikes. More than 250 Hezbollah members and 75 civilians have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon since October, sources in Lebanon say.