Israeli Military Orders Evacuation of 22 Southern Lebanese Villages Amid Escalating Conflict
The Israeli military has issued an urgent order for residents of 22 southern Lebanese villages to evacuate to safer areas north of the Awali River, citing increased Hezbollah activities in the region. This move comes as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have reached a critical point, with both sides engaging in escalating attacks and counterattacks.
According to the military statement, these villages have been recent targets of Israeli airstrikes, leading to concerns about the safety of civilians. The Israeli military alleges that Hezbollah is using civilian sites to hide weapons and launch attacks on Israel, a claim that Hezbollah has denied.
Over the past month, intensified Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of Beirut have displaced approximately 1.2 million people, according to the Lebanese government. This latest wave of displacement has surpassed the numbers seen during the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, highlighting the severity of the current conflict.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has expressed grave concern over the humanitarian impact of the ongoing violence, urging all parties to prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire.