Tel aviv: The Israeli army on Thursday renewed its warning for residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate areas south of the Litani River, including the cities of Tyre and Bint Jbeil, and move north of the river ahead of upcoming attacks. The warning came as Tel Aviv escalates military actions against Lebanon since Monday, following the start of US-Israeli attacks on Iran on Saturday.
According to Anadolu Agency, the warning was disseminated through a post on US social media platform X by Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee. Adraee urged all residents of southern Lebanon to 'immediately move north of the Litani River.' He emphasized that the warning also pertains to residents of the cities of Tyre and Bint Jbeil and pledged to 'act forcefully' against Hezbollah. He cautioned that 'anyone located near Hezbollah members, facilities or combat equipment puts their life at risk.' Additionally, Adraee expanded the warning to include any home he claimed was 'used by Hezbollah for military purposes.'
On Wednesday, the Israeli army had already warned all residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately and head north of the Litani River. This development comes amidst calls from Israeli right-wing circles for occupying areas south of the Litani River and establishing a 'security zone' there.
The ongoing conflict escalated earlier this week when Hezbollah targeted a military site in northern Israel with rockets and drones, in response to the ongoing attacks on Lebanon and the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Subsequently, Tel Aviv launched a series of airstrikes on Lebanon. While the Israeli military asserts that its strikes are aimed at Hezbollah infrastructure, the Lebanese National News Agency reports that many of the strikes have impacted civilians.
Israel has killed more than 4,000 people and injured about 17,000 others during its assault on Lebanon, which began in October 2023 and expanded into a full-scale war in September 2024. Despite a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah since November 2024, Israel has continued to violate the truce almost daily, leaving hundreds killed and wounded.