In a significant development, Israel’s military has declared a new area in southern Lebanon as a combat zone, urging residents to move north of the Zahrani River. This announcement comes amidst ongoing tensions with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire that was announced on April 16.
The Israeli military’s statement, shared on social media platform X, indicated a potential escalation following over 120 strikes on Lebanon’s south and east regions. The Zahrani River, which runs approximately 40 kilometers north of Israel’s border with Lebanon, marks the new boundary of the combat zone. The area south of this river encompasses about 2,000 square kilometers.
Evacuation Orders and Military Actions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the need for further action to protect northern Israeli communities from Hezbollah threats. The military has previously issued evacuation orders for areas south of the Litani River and conducted strikes in several towns between the Litani and Zahrani rivers. However, this is the first instance of an evacuation order covering the entire zone south of the Zahrani River.
The Israeli military has advised civilians to avoid Hezbollah operatives and facilities. Lebanese security sources report that many residents are fleeing north to Sidon, a port city already hosting thousands of displaced individuals from southern Lebanon. The evacuation orders coincide with the celebration of Eid al-Adha across Lebanon.
Impact of Ongoing Conflict
Since March 2, when Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel in support of Iran, more than 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced by Israeli strikes and evacuation orders. The Lebanese health ministry reports that over 3,200 people have been killed due to these strikes, with fighting persisting in southern Lebanon despite the U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
The World Health Organization has documented at least 608 deaths in Lebanon from Israeli attacks since the truce. On the Israeli side, 10 soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire, with six fatalities attributed to Hezbollah’s explosive drones.
While the Israeli military has expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon beyond its established security zone, it has refrained from new strikes on Beirut. However, Israeli surveillance drones are frequently heard over the city, and a warplane was reported flying low on Wednesday.
Israeli officials assert that the country maintains freedom of action in southern Lebanon but exercises restraint in Beirut to avoid jeopardizing potential diplomatic efforts by the U.S. administration.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
