Tel Aviv, Israel – In a new escalation that puts southern Lebanon on the brink of disaster, Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adraee issued a direct and strongly worded threat to residents of nine towns and villages deep inside southern Lebanon. He demanded they evacuate their homes immediately and head to open areas.
List of targeted towns
The Israeli warning included residents of the villages and towns of: Tayr Dibba, Al-Abbasiya, Burj Rahal, Maaroub, Barish, Arzoun, Jannata (Tyre), Al-Zarariya, and Ain Baal. In addition, the Israeli army instructed residents to move at least 1,000 meters away from their homes. It also stressed the importance of seeking refuge in open areas to avoid being in the geographical zone that might be subjected to intense airstrikes or artillery fire.
“Working hard” and warning against getting close to Hezbollah
In a statement published on his official accounts, Adraee justified the measure by citing the army’s concern for “civilian safety,” claiming that the anticipated military action was a response to Hezbollah’s activities.
He explicitly warned that “anyone found near Hezbollah operatives, facilities, or weapons is putting their life in imminent danger.” He further asserted that the army was “compelled to act forcefully against the party” in those specific areas.
Wave of displacement and state of alert
These threats sparked panic and confusion among the residents of the affected villages, prompting a cautious exodus from some towns amidst dire humanitarian conditions. There was also growing fear that these villages would be turned into “no-go zones.”
Observers believe that this tactic of issuing warnings typically precedes waves of destructive airstrikes. Sometimes, it paves the way for swift ground operations aimed at isolating the villages from Hezbollah’s supply lines.
These threats coincide with the continued exchange of heavy shelling along the Lebanese-Palestinian border. In recent hours, the Israeli army has also expanded its target bank to include vital infrastructure and medical teams. This escalates tensions, diminishes the chances of an imminent diplomatic solution, and places the region on the brink of potentially devastating confrontations.
