TEL AVIV: The Israeli military on Sunday ordered residents of more than 20 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes immediately, as troops expanded their ground operations across the border.
The army has been conducting expanded air and ground attacks in the region as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalate.
In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said, “The Army does not intend to harm you. For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and relocate to the north of the Awali River.”
These calls are part of a broader evacuation that has seen Israeli forces regularly warning residents of southern Lebanon and even parts of Beirut to leave their homes as airstrikes continue.
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In September 2024, Israel shifted its focus from Gaza to Lebanon, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to combat Hezbollah until displaced Israelis in northern Israel could return to their homes.
Israel’s military operations in Lebanon since September 30 have led to significant casualties and displacement.
According to an AFP tally based on Lebanese health ministry figures, more than 1,200 people have been killed in Lebanon since the start of the air strikes, with over a million others displaced from their homes. The ongoing conflict has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region, with no signs of a ceasefire on the horizon.
