Israel has issued forced evacuation notices for seven towns in southern Lebanon that lie beyond its self-declared “buffer zone”, escalating the conflict with Hezbollah despite a US-brokered ceasefire.
An Israeli military spokesperson said on X on Sunday that the Lebanese armed group was violating the ceasefire and that Israel would act against it, telling residents to head north and west.
The towns are north of the Litani River, in an area where Israeli troops have continued military operations despite the ceasefire. They lie outside the roughly 10km (6-mile) buffer zone where Israeli forces remain.
Hezbollah rejected allegations of undermining the ceasefire, calling its attacks a “legitimate response to the enemy’s persistent violations”, which it claims have exceeded 500 incidents. In a Telegram statement, the Iran-aligned group said it had “no say or position” on a ceasefire it did not approve, and would not “place bets on failed diplomacy”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting: “Hezbollah’s violations are, in practice, dismantling the ceasefire.” The US-mediated truce, effective since April 16 and extended to mid-May, has reduced hostilities but both sides continue to trade fire and blame.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent Heidi Pett reported multiple airstrikes across south Lebanon on Sunday, with thousands fleeing to Sidon and Tyre. “We once again have thousands of people leaving their homes, joining the hundreds of thousands who were already previously displaced,” she said.
Hezbollah claimed attacks on Israeli troops inside Lebanon and on rescue forces, targeting an artillery position in Biyyada with a drone swarm, and two drone attacks on Israeli soldiers in Taybeh, reporting casualties.
The Israeli army confirmed the death of 19-year-old Sergeant Idan Fooks “during combat” in southern Lebanon and five others wounded. Netanyahu said: “What obliges us is the security of Israel, our soldiers, and our communities.”
Under the truce terms, Israel reserves the right to respond to “planned, imminent or ongoing attacks” and has struck Hezbollah targets almost daily. Since March 2, at least 2,509 people have been killed and 7,755 wounded by Israeli attacks, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
Source: www.aljazeera.com