Israel strikes southern Lebanon after ordering evacuation of 20–24 towns, Hezbollah launches drone attacks on north
The Israeli military told residents of more than 20 southern Lebanese villages to leave immediately on Saturday, then bombarded the area with airstrikes and artillery, while Hezbollah drones crossed into northern Israel.
Evacuation order
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an urgent call on X for residents of between 20 and 24 towns and villages in southern Lebanon to flee north of the Sahrani River.
He warned that anyone near Hezbollah fighters or their facilities would be risking their lives.For your safety, you should move to the area north of the Sahrani River.
It remained unclear how many people were affected by the order, but some areas such as Nabatieh and Kfar Ruman were already nearly empty before the warning.The Israeli army will act with full force.
Waves of airstrikes
Shortly after the evacuation announcement, Israel launched heavy strikes with fighter jets, drones and artillery. Lebanese security sources reported intense attacks on Nabatieh, Kfar Ruman and the hills above the city. The state news agency NNA confirmed bombardment of the villages of Rihan and Sudschud, which had earlier received evacuation orders, and said one person was killed in Rihan. An AFP correspondent in Nabatieh described the city as almost completely deserted, with artillery fire continuing through the night and into Saturday.
Hezbollah drone attacks
Hezbollah continued to send drones into northern Israel. Since Friday evening, the military intercepted one “hostile aircraft” and reported multiple drone intrusions. Alarms sounded in border communities such as Metula and Misgav Am. While some drones were not intercepted, they caused no significant damage. The military said there were four such incidents on Friday.
Ceasefire violated daily
A ceasefire agreed between Israel and the Lebanese government on 17 April has not halted daily exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah. Both sides accuse each other of continually breaching the terms. Israeli troops operate in southern Lebanon and have unilaterally declared “security zones”. Hezbollah refuses to negotiate with Israel, claiming its fighters are engaging Israeli forces advancing towards Majdal Selm and launching drone attacks on military vehicles. In early June, Israel captured Beaufort Castle for the second time in 44 years, deepening the conflict.
Iran-US talks offer glimmer
Negotiations between Iran and the United States over the wider war are showing signs of a possible deal that could include a ceasefire for Lebanon. Signals from both sides have recently grown more positive, yet Israel continues its military operations.
Mounting toll
Lebanese figures indicate that more than 3,700 people have been killed in Israeli operations in Lebanon since early March, when the country was drawn into the Iran war. Violence shows no sign of abating.
