Crossing into Syria used by thousands to flee war badly damaged, says UN official, as Israel orders residents to leave their homes

• Living in Lebanon: how have you been affected by the recent violence?

The Israeli military launched a series of strikes on southern Beirut on Thursday night, in one of the most intense bombardments on the city since the campaign began last week.

A source close to Hezbollah told the AFP news agency that Israel had conducted 11 consecutive strikes on the group’s stronghold in the Lebanese capital.