Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on August 6. Israel continues its airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, despite the threat of wider conflict in the Middle East. (Source: Flash90)

"During the night, the IAF attacked a Hezbollah command center in the Hanaouay area and infrastructure in the Ayta ash Shab area in southern Lebanon," the TASS news agency quoted a statement from the Israeli military as saying.

Additionally, Israeli warplanes struck a Hezbollah launch pad near Ayta ash Shab, where rockets were launched towards the Biranit area in the upper Galilee on August 8.

Amid the risk of conflict spreading across the Middle East, on the same day, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant to discuss Washington's steps to protect its allies.

He noted that F-22 Raptor stealth fighters arrived in the Middle East on this day, representing one of many efforts to protect Israel and US forces in the region.

On social network X, Mr. Austin said: "I also highlighted the importance of completing a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which would release the hostages."

Meanwhile, Sputnik news agency quoted a senior US government official telling reporters that Washington believes Iran has no legitimate grounds to attack Israel.

Making the above comment when talking about the risk of the current tension in the Middle East escalating into a full-blown conflict, the White House official also warned that if Tehran openly attacks Israel, it will face "quite serious consequences".

Also on August 8, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that a deputy minister of the ministry had discussed with the Israeli Ambassador to Russia to "exchange views on the military and political situation in the Middle East, focusing on the task of easing tensions in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone and the entire region."