Israel warns residents of parts of Lebanon to leave

The Israeli army has declared a new part of southern Lebanon a war zone, saying residents in the area should move north and warning that it will act with “great force” against Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in the region.

The military’s statement, published on X, appeared to signal further escalation of tensions after more than 120 attacks hit southern and eastern Lebanon on Tuesday despite a ceasefire declared on April 16.

An Israeli military spokesman shared on X: “We advise residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate north of the Zahrani River, as all areas south of the river are considered a war zone.”

The Zahrani River runs from east to west about 40 km north of Israel’s border with Lebanon, and the Lebanese territory to its south covers an area of ​​approximately 2000 square kilometers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel must take further action in Lebanon to protect communities in northern Israel from Hezbollah.

The Israeli army had previously ordered people further down the Litani River to leave the south.

It had already issued individual evacuation orders and carried out strikes in several dozen towns between Litani and Zahrani.

Wednesday’s order was the first time residents had been ordered to leave the entire area south of Zahrani.

The Israeli military urged civilians to stay away from Hezbollah agents, facilities and weapons sites.

Lebanese security sources told Reuters that people fled north to the port city of Sidon, which hosts thousands of people from other parts of southern Lebanon.

The new statement came as Muslims in Lebanon celebrated Eid al-Adha.

More than 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced by Israeli strikes and relocation orders since March 2, when Hezbollah opened fire on Israel in support of its ally Iran.

Since then, Israeli attacks have hit Lebanon’s south, east and capital Beirut, killing more than 3,200 people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

Despite the US-brokered ceasefire being declared on April 16, clashes continue in southern Lebanon.

The World Health Organization said at least 608 people have died in Lebanon in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire.

The Israeli army said 10 of its soldiers had been killed since the ceasefire on April 16, six of whom were killed by Hezbollah’s explosive drones.

The Israeli army has expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon past the security zone occupied by its soldiers, but has not provided details on the extent of the advance beyond the so-called Yellow Line.

Lebanon’s capital Beirut has escaped fresh attacks, although Israeli surveillance drones were heard buzzing over the city every day and a warplane was heard flying low on Wednesday, according to Reuters reporters.

Three senior Israeli officials said they believed Israel had freedom of action in southern Lebanon but little in Beirut.

Israel does not want to appear to derail US President Donald Trump’s possible deal with Iran by demolishing buildings in Lebanon’s capital, officials told Reuters.