New alerts in Lebanon: Israel expands the scope of confrontation with Hezbollah
Lebanon is witnessing a rapidly intensifying field escalation, with successive Israeli warnings to residents of the south amid the ongoing confrontation with Hezbollah and mutual accusations of ceasefire violations, raising the prospect of a widening military campaign.
The Israeli army issued an urgent warning to residents of the towns of Jibchit and Srifa, calling on them to immediately evacuate their homes and move at least 1,000 meters away toward open areas.
The army spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, confirmed that these measures come in response to what he described as “Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire agreement,” stressing that any presence near the group’s elements or facilities “puts lives at risk.”
Ongoing warnings since yesterday
These alerts were preceded by similar warnings covering the towns of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Meifdoun, Qlawayeh, Borj Qlawayeh, Al-Majadel, and Srifa, within a geographic scope that is gradually expanding across southern Lebanon.
On Sunday, the warnings also extended to additional towns, including Doueir, Arabsalim, Al-Sharqiyah, Brachit, Dounine, Breqaa, Qaaqaiyat al-Jisr, Al-Qusaybah, and Kafrsir, reflecting a systematic escalation in evacuation policy.
Extensive strikes and destruction of military infrastructure
The warnings coincided with intensive military operations, during which the Israeli army announced that it had targeted “dozens of objectives” belonging to Hezbollah.
According to military statements, around 70 buildings used for military purposes were destroyed, along with nearly 50 infrastructure sites, indicating a significant expansion in the scope of the strikes.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported fatalities as a result of the raids, including three people killed in a strike on a mosque in the town of Al-Samaya near Tyre.
Fragile truce and heavy toll
Despite the ceasefire taking effect on April 17, the escalation has not stopped, with Israel continuing its military operations, particularly in the south.
In parallel, Hezbollah announced that it had carried out attacks against Israeli forces, describing them as a response to ongoing “violations” of the agreement.
Israel and the Iran-backed group continue to trade accusations, while U.S. officials affirm that the agreement grants Israel the right to take the necessary measures for self-defense.
Since the outbreak of clashes on March 2, the strikes have resulted in more than 2,600 deaths and the displacement of over one million people, in one of the most violent rounds of escalation.
