Beirut, Lebanon – In a dangerous escalation coinciding with the start of the Washington negotiations, Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adraee issued a direct and immediate threat this morning to the residents of eight Lebanese towns and villages, demanding they evacuate their homes and head immediately to open areas.
Map of threatened villages
The urgent Israeli warning included residents of the following towns: Labaya, Sahmar, Yahmar, and Ain al-Tineh in the Western Bekaa Valley. It also included Tuffahta, Kfarmelki, Houmin al-Fawqa, and Mazraat Sinai in southern Lebanon.
The threat, published by Adraee on his official accounts, read: “For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move at least 1,000 meters away from villages and towns to open areas.”
The spokesperson warned that anyone found near Hezbollah operatives, facilities, or weapons is putting their life at imminent risk. He indicated that the Israeli army is “obliged to act forcefully” against Hezbollah targets in these areas.
Wave of displacement and on-the-ground concerns
A correspondent for Al-Manshar News reported a large-scale and chaotic exodus from the targeted villages, particularly in the Western Bekaa Valley. Panic gripped the residents, who rushed to leave their homes under the serious threat of imminent air or artillery bombardment.
Military observers believe these warnings, issued despite talk of a fragile, US-brokered truce, reflect Israel’s intention to expand its operations to include the western Bekaa Valley and the central Gaza Strip. The aim is to destroy alleged Israeli military infrastructure located there.
This escalation serves as a prelude to the opening session of direct negotiations in Washington between Ambassadors Simon Karam and Yehiel Leiter. It presents a severe test of the ceasefire efforts, potentially leading to the collapse of the initial understandings if the bombing extends to the residential areas targeted by the warnings.
