Evacuation Warning for Civilians
In a stark warning, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) advised Lebanese civilians in Hezbollah-controlled areas to evacuate “for their own safety.” IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari emphasized that Hezbollah uses civilian homes and infrastructure to store and launch weapons, posing a danger to residents. The military distributed this warning widely, including through mobile messages in Lebanon.
Two Waves of Strikes
Israel launched two waves of airstrikes on Monday, targeting over 300 Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon. The strikes, carried out by all Israeli Air Force squadrons, followed intelligence that Hezbollah was preparing to launch attacks on Israel. This marked the sixth round of Israeli airstrikes in recent weeks as part of the escalating conflict with Hezbollah, which has clashed with Israel daily since the October 7 attacks.
Lebanese Prime Minister’s Response
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the strikes, accusing Israel of conducting a “war of extermination” aimed at destroying Lebanese villages and towns. The rising tensions have fueled fears of a broader war between Israel and Hezbollah, as thousands of civilians on both sides of the border have already been displaced.
As Israel continues its military campaign to dismantle Hamas in Gaza, the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon has intensified. Despite the frequent clashes, both sides have so far avoided a full-scale war, though analysts warn that continued escalation could change the situation.
