BEIRUT: Israeli forces fired phosphorus and fragmentation shells close to the Lebanese towns of Blida and Aitaroun on Wednesday afternoon in response to Hezbollah launching guided missiles at two Israeli army posts in Al-Malikiyah and Al-Bayadh.

The resumption in fighting came after a morning of cautious calm between the two sides following sporadic military operations overnight in which a young Lebanese man was killed.

During a meeting of the Lebanese Cabinet to discuss the country鈥檚 engagement in the conflict, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati told ministers and their political parties that there was 鈥渁 race between a ceasefire and the situation getting out of hand鈥� and that 鈥渘ational solidarity is necessary.鈥�

鈥淓xistential dangers surround us and the region, and it is our duty to meet, engage in dialogue and think together to reach a comprehensive national solution,鈥� he said.

The Lebanese government has drawn up an emergency plan to protect its citizens from the fallout from Israeli aggression in the region. It seeks to 鈥渕eet the needs of the displaced Lebanese and provide them with relief in the event of widespread forced displacement from their homes to safer places in Lebanon.鈥�

The government said the plan was based on the possibility of 鈥渢he forced displacement of 1 million Lebanese for a period extending over 45 days, which would require collective shelter centers that accommodate 20 percent of the displaced.鈥�

This would 鈥渁lleviate pressure on the health sector and provide humanitarian necessities for the displaced in the shelter centers,鈥� it said.

Under the plan, Lebanon will also cooperate 鈥渨ith United Nations organizations for three non-Lebanese population groups: Palestinian refugees with UNRWA, Syrian refugees with UNHCR and foreign workers with the International Organization for Migration.鈥�