The Israeli military on Monday called for the immediate evacuation of residents in southern Lebanon living near buildings housing Hezbollah’s weapons, as “extensive strikes” against the militant group continue to escalate.
This is the first such warning in nearly a year of rising conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, following a particularly intense exchange of fire on Sunday.
Hezbollah launched approximately 150 rockets, missiles, and drones into northern Israel in retaliation for Israeli strikes that killed a top Hezbollah commander and several fighters. The growing hostilities have raised fears of a broader conflict, even as Israel remains engaged in its ongoing battle against Hamas in Gaza, following Hamas’ attack on 7 October.
The Israeli military said its current focus remains on aerial operations, with no immediate plans for a ground invasion. These airstrikes aim to diminish Hezbollah’s capacity to continue its attacks on Israel.
Text messages were reportedly sent to residents of southern Lebanon, urging them to vacate any building storing Hezbollah weapons for their safety.
“If you are in a building housing weapons for Hezbollah, move away from the village until further notice,” the message read, according to Lebanese media reports.
Hezbollah’s retaliation, launched in solidarity with Hamas, has intensified after the death of senior Hezbollah commanders in Israeli airstrikes. Israeli forces have responded by targeting more than 150 Hezbollah sites, with airstrikes causing large plumes of smoke in several southern Lebanese villages.
The conflict has already caused significant destruction and displacement. Hundreds of people have been killed in Lebanon, while dozens have died in Israel. Tens of thousands on both sides have been forced to leave their homes, and ongoing clashes have devastated the region’s agricultural landscape.
Israel accused Hezbollah of embedding rocket launchers and military infrastructure within civilian areas in southern Lebanon, prompting fears of further heavy bombardment. Israel says its ultimate goal is to push Hezbollah back from the border to enable displaced Israeli citizens to return home, though it hopes to achieve this diplomatically if possible.
The fighting began after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people and abducting approximately 250. While a temporary ceasefire in Gaza last month resulted in the release of some captives, around 100 are still believed to be held by Hamas. Meanwhile, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has claimed over 41,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israel maintains that more than 17,000 of those killed were militants.
The situation remains tense, with Hezbollah vowing to continue its attacks until a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza. However, the prospect of a ceasefire appears increasingly distant as the conflict continues into its second year.
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