BEIRUT: The Israeli military carried out heavy airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Thursday after issuing evacuation orders for several towns, citing Hezbollah’s attempts to rebuild military capabilities. The strikes came despite a ceasefire deal agreed a year ago and ongoing Lebanese army efforts to clear Hezbollah sites in the south. Preliminary reports indicate one person was killed in early strikes, and another was wounded later in the day.
Israeli authorities issued multiple evacuation orders for villages including Aita al-Jabal, Al-Tayyiba, and Tayr Debba, instructing residents to keep a 500-metre distance from identified areas. Airstrikes began about an hour after the warnings, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and destroying an ironworks shop in Abbasiyeh, which supported several households.
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While Israel has frequently targeted Hezbollah sites over the past year, such strikes rarely came with formal evacuation orders. Israeli officials emphasized their intent to prevent Hezbollah from regaining military strength lost during the 2023-24 conflict, with government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian stating, “Israel will continue to defend all of its borders.”
Hezbollah reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire but stressed its “legitimate right” to resist Israel. UNIFIL condemned the airstrikes as violations of Security Council resolution 1701 and urged both sides to avoid actions that could escalate tensions. Meanwhile, the Lebanese army condemned the strikes as destructive and undermining Lebanon’s stability.
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The evacuation orders coincided with a cabinet meeting in Lebanon to review the army’s progress in confiscating Hezbollah arms depots. Lebanese authorities have stated they aim to clear southern Lebanon of weapons outside state control by year-end, a process that has reportedly accelerated in recent months.