Hezbollah launched a barrage of 140 rockets into northern Israel on Friday, a day after its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, vowed revenge for a massive Israeli bombing, according to statements from both the Israeli military and Hezbollah.

Beirut has warned the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is out of control as Israel signalled a new era of the war.Lebanese economy minister Amin Salam said the last week had been “very intense” for Lebanon and said escalation of the conflict by the hour was likely.

Amid fears of an expanding war in the Middle East following mass detentions of bombs surreptitiously planted in Hezbollah communication devices, Israel continued its assault of the Iran-backed militia overnight.