U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed 'deep concern' about reports that Israeli forces had fired on U.N. peacekeeping positions in Lebanon.

Israeli airstrikes have hit the headquarters of the U.N. peacekeeping force and other positions in south Lebanon in recent days, drawing widespread condemnation from around the world.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified, with Israeli strikes leading to casualties in Lebanon and disruptions in medical services. On Saturday, Israel targeted new areas and ordered more evacuations.

BEIRUT (AP) — Palestinians in northern Gaza described heavy Israeli bombardment Saturday in the hours after airstrikes killed at least 22 people, as Israel continued to tell people there and in southern Lebanon to get out of the way of its offensives against the Hamas and Hezbollah militant groups.

The IDF said that the firing at a UNIFIL post took place on Friday as its forces were operating against an “immediate threat against them,” and blames Hezbollah.

Palestinians in northern Gaza are describing heavy Israeli bombardment in the hours after airstrikes killed at least 22 people. A member of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon was in stable condition after being struck by gunfire in Naqoura.

Most Palestinian refugees living in camps in southern Lebanon or near Beirut have fled following escalating Israeli strikes, the head of the United Nations agency on Palestine refugees said on Friday,

Israel’s security cabinet will meet Thursday to vote on Israel’s response to Iran’s Oct. 1 missile attack. The U.N. said two peacekeepers were injured by Israeli fire.