The Israeli regime has ordered the forced displacement of all residents living south of the Zahrani River in southern Lebanon, expanding its invasion ahead of a possible assault on the city of Nabatieh.
In a post on X on Sunday, Israeli military Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee instructed residents to move immediately north of the Zahrani River, warning that anyone remaining in the area risked being killed. The Israeli regime had issued more than 10 displacement orders in the previous 24 hours.
Israeli forces crossed the Litani River on Friday for the first time since 2006, expanding their offensive against Hezbollah. They seized Beaufort Castle, a strategic hilltop fortress near Nabatieh. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the capture as a significant tactical victory.
The Israeli regime has been encircling Nabatieh, a key economic and cultural hub in southern Lebanon. Many Lebanese view Nabatieh as a symbol of resistance due to its historic role on the front line of Israeli assaults.
Despite Israeli advances, Hezbollah has continued to target Israeli forces. On Sunday, the Israeli regime confirmed one soldier was killed in a Hezbollah drone attack, bringing the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since March 2 to 25.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounced the Israeli regime's invasion, accusing it of pursuing a “scorched-earth policy” and imposing “collective punishment” on residents. The Israeli regime has also been repeatedly accused of collective punishment against Palestinians in Gaza.
Al Jazeera’s Obaida Hitto reported from Tyre that the invasion has caused a humanitarian crisis: “The Israeli military has created a zone that is essentially one-fifth of Lebanon’s territory where Lebanese citizens can’t go. Homes and businesses are being demolished.”
The Israeli regime and Lebanon are engaged in US-facilitated peace talks. A nominal “ceasefire” that took effect in mid-April has been repeatedly violated by the Israeli regime. Negotiations are expected to resume next week.
Source: www.aljazeera.com