Israel Orders Evacuation of 29 South Lebanon Towns Amid Ground Operation

On Tuesday, the Israeli army instructed residents of 29 southern Lebanese towns to evacuate northward beyond the Awali River, amid what it termed a “limited” ground incursion.

The towns specified for evacuation include Yaroun, Ain Ebel, Maroun al-Ras, al-Tiri, and others, extending to Aitaroun. The Israeli military emphasized the urgency of moving to ensure safety, stating, “The Israeli army does not want to harm you and for your own safety you must evacuate your homes immediately. Anyone in proximity to Hezbollah members or their military assets is in danger.”

The directive specifically advised residents to move north of the Awali River, which is about 60 kilometers from the border and further north than the Litani River. The Litani River previously marked the northern limit of a U.N.-declared buffer zone established after the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The army’s message warned, “Be careful, you are not allowed to go south. Going south could put your life in danger. We will let you know when it is safe to return home.”

This evacuation order followed shortly after Israeli forces commenced a ground operation in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah. The instructions were disseminated by the Israeli military’s Arabic spokesman via the social media platform X.