The Israeli military has issued a warning to displaced residents of southern Lebanon, advising them not to return to their homes as they continue to target the militant group Hezbollah through a series of strikes. This warning comes as residents of villages in southern Lebanon began fleeing following alerts from the Israel Defense Forces to evacuate areas where Hezbollah operates, particularly those used for storing weapons.
The Israel Defense Forces Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, emphasized the ongoing IDF raids in areas with Hezbollah presence and urged residents to prioritize their safety by refraining from returning to their homes until further notice.
According to Lebanon's foreign minister, an estimated half a million individuals have been displaced within the country, with over 500 casualties reported from Israeli strikes. The United Nations refugee agency has expressed deep concern over the escalating displacement crisis in Lebanon, with spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh describing the situation as 'extremely alarming' and 'very chaotic.'
Prior to the recent escalation, more than 100,000 people had already been displaced from southern regions of Lebanon, prompting UNHCR intervention to provide support. This displacement crisis has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has seen a significant increase in cross-border exchanges of fire over the past year.
Israel has made the safe return of residents to northern Israel a key objective in its military operations, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for continued vigilance in the region.
