Israel fires more than 120 airstrikes at Lebanon and says it is escalating offensive

One of heaviest days of bombing in weeks complicates US talks with Iran, which insists any peace deal must mean end of attacks on Lebanon

• Middle East crisis – live updates

Israel launched more than 120 airstrikes against Lebanon on Tuesday in one of the heaviest days of bombing in weeks, as the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said his military was escalating its offensive against Hezbollah.

A ceasefire brokered by the US last month between Israel and the militant Islamist movement now appears close to total collapse, complicating negotiations to bring a definitive end to the war with Iran.