A new wave of Israeli extensive airstrikes hit Beirut, its suburbs and other Lebanese regions Tuesday, ahead of an expected cease-fire to end the 13-month war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israel began a series of strikes on central Beirut on Tuesday evening, security sources told Reuters, after issuing its first-ever evacuation orders for four areas inside the city itself, hours before a ceasefire was expected to be announced.

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Israeli strikes pounded a densely-populated part of the Lebanese capital and its southern suburbs on Tuesday, hours ahead of an anticipated announcement of a ceasefire ending hostilities between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

In southern Lebanon, Israel said its forces reached the Litani River, a significant marker in the war. Israel has demanded Hezbollah pull its forces back north of the river.

Israel's security cabinet was set to discuss a proposed ceasefire in its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon Tuesday afternoon, as a hail of air strikes encircled south Beirut in what