The Israeli military told people living in seven villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes on Friday.
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Avichay Adraee issued an “urgent warning” to people in Al-Namriyah, Tayr Filisiya, Hallusiyah, Upper Hallusiyah, Turah, Marakah and Al-Abbayiyya, saying if they didn’t leave, their lives would be in danger.
Adraee, who has issued similar evacuation orders almost daily since Hezbollah and Israel started exchanging fire two days after the Iran war began, said the IDF was “compelled” to act against Hezbollah in light of the group’s “violation of the ceasefire agreement” brokered by the U.S.
That truce was signed between the Israeli and Lebanese governments. Hezbollah was not a party to it, and it quickly accused Israel of violating the deal and said it was launching attacks in response. That exchange of fire, with both Hezbollah and Israel accusing the other side of breaching the ceasefire, has continued since the truce came into force.
Hezbollah said Friday it had attacked an Israeli military bulldozer, tank and troops.
The IDF acknowledged several Hezbollah strikes against its forces and said one soldier was severely wounded, and two others moderately wounded.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said earlier this week that the death toll from Israel’s attacks since March 2 had risen to more than 2,700 people. More than 1 million people have been displaced from their homes by the fighting.
In Israel, more than 40 people have been killed by Iranian and Hezbollah attacks since the U.S. and Israel launched their joint war with Iran on Feb. 28.
