Beirut: The Israeli army renewed its warning on Wednesday for residents south of the Zahrani River in southern Lebanon to immediately evacuate their homes ahead of planned strikes in the area. 'We call on you to evacuate your homes immediately and move north of the Zahrani River,' military spokesman Avichay Adraee said on US social media company X. He warned that remaining south of the river 'may endanger your lives and the lives of your families.'

According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli army has repeatedly issued evacuation orders for Lebanese residents south of the Litani River and the Zahrani River as the army continues to expand its offensive in southern Lebanon. Israel and Lebanon held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington. On March 9, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for direct negotiations with Israel under international sponsorship as part of an initiative to establish a full truce to halt all Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

Israel has killed at least 2,124 people and injured nearly 7,000 in a deadly offensive across Lebanon since March 2 following a cross-border attack by Hezbollah, despite the 2024 ceasefire agreement. Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since the previous conflict between October 2023 and November the following year.