The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued evacuation orders to residents of approximately 50 Lebanese villages on Tuesday, demanding immediate departure, according to multiple reports. The directive comes amid escalating tensions and cross-border exchanges of fire with Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group and political party.
Simultaneously, Israel has reportedly authorized its troops to “accept control” of new positions within Lebanese territory, signaling a potential broadening of military operations. The precise nature and extent of this control remain unclear.
The recent surge in hostilities has resulted in significant casualties. Reports indicate at least 31 people have been killed and 149 injured in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon. The strikes have focused on sites in southern Lebanon, and more recently, the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold. Israeli attacks on Tuesday targeted infrastructure linked to Hezbollah’s Radwan Force unit in the Baalbek region, according to MTV Lebanon.
The IDF stated We see currently attacking infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah’s Radwan Force in the Baalbek area. This follows a second day of Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, reported by Anadolu Ajansı.
Israeli officials have indicated that the current conflict with Hezbollah could persist for several days. Israel’s Chief of Staff assessed that fighting with Hezbollah “may continue for days,” according to Sky News Arabia.
The Times of Israel reported that Israel intends to accuse the Lebanese army of failing to prevent Hezbollah from rearming. This accusation suggests a potential shift in Israel’s approach, placing greater responsibility on the Lebanese government to control the militant group’s activities within its borders.
A citizen of Lebanon was killed in an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon on Monday, according to شفق نيوز. Israel has also conducted strikes across southern Lebanon, as reported by شفق نيوز.
