Israeli Army Issues Urgent Evacuation Warning in Southern Lebanon

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday delivered an urgent message to residents of three southern Lebanese towns, warning them to vacate certain buildings ahead of planned airstrikes. The alert targeted the communities of Mays al-Jabal, Kfar Tebnit, and Dibbin, where Israeli officials say Hezbollah has been attempting to reestablish military positions.

Evacuation Orders and Military Justification

In a statement shared on the social media platform X, IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced that Israeli aircraft would soon strike “military infrastructure belonging to the terrorist Hezbollah” in southern Lebanon. He stressed that these strikes are in direct response to what Israel views as Hezbollah’s prohibited attempts to rebuild its operations in the border region.

Adraee identified four buildings that Israel has marked as Hezbollah strongholds and issued a warning to civilians nearby. “You are located in buildings used by the terrorist Hezbollah,” he said. “For your own safety, you are obliged to evacuate these buildings and the buildings adjacent to them immediately and move away for at least 500 meters. Remaining in the buildings exposes you to danger.”

Civilian Response and Rising Tensions

Following the announcement, Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed reported significant movement of people leaving parts of the south. Many residents, already wary from past escalations, fled the targeted villages in anticipation of airstrikes.

These warnings recall the tense months of 2024, when Israel and Hezbollah were locked in heavy cross-border exchanges. During that conflict, the IDF frequently issued evacuation advisories before carrying out strikes. However, after the ceasefire agreement reached in November, such warnings became rare, raising concerns now that the fragile calm may be unraveling.

Ceasefire Strains and Ongoing Military Presence

Despite the truce, Israel has not halted operations entirely. Its forces continue to target Hezbollah fighters and alleged weapons storage sites, maintaining pressure on the group even as diplomatic efforts try to prevent renewed war. Israeli troops also remain stationed on five key hills inside southern Lebanon, a deployment that underscores the persistence of tension along the border.

Analysts note that Hezbollah’s efforts to regroup in the area, coupled with Israel’s continued preemptive strikes, risk igniting a broader confrontation. The international community, particularly the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), has repeatedly urged both sides to exercise restraint to avoid a slide back into full-scale conflict.

What This Could Mean Going Forward

The latest warnings suggest Israel is prepared to escalate again if it believes Hezbollah is rebuilding capabilities too close to the border. For civilians in southern Lebanon, it means renewed uncertainty after months of relative quiet. For policymakers in Beirut, Jerusalem, and beyond, it raises the pressing question of whether the November ceasefire can hold or if the region is headed toward another cycle of hostilities.