Israel orders evacuation in south Lebanon ahead of strikes
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Israeli army on Monday ordered residents of a designated area in the southern Lebanese town of Deir Zahrani to evacuate ahead of planned strikes targeting what it described as a Hezbollah facility.
The Israeli military said the warning followed what it described as hostile activity by the Iran-backed group, saying that “Hezbollah’s terrorist activity compels the IDF to act forcefully against it.”
Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Ella Waweya called on residents inside a specified building and surrounding structures to leave immediately and move at least 300 meters away, according to reports. The military said the targeted site was located near a Hezbollah facility.
Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar television later reported Israeli airstrikes on Deir Zahrani, though there was no immediate information on casualties or the extent of the damage.
The warning came a day after Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon killed seven people and injured more than 20 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Israel said the attacks were carried out in response to alleged Hezbollah drone launches and targeted weapons facilities and other military infrastructure.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Sunday’s strikes as a “dangerous escalation,” accusing Israel of targeting civilian and public infrastructure and calling on the United States and the international community to intervene.
The latest escalation underscores the fragility of a U.S.-brokered framework reached in June aimed at reducing hostilities and paving the way for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
Despite the agreement, tensions have remained high in southern Lebanon, where Israel has continued military operations while Hezbollah has carried out drone attacks against Israeli forces, particularly around contested areas and strategic positions.