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Israel declares south Lebanon combat zone, orders mass evacuations
Confirmed
What we know
Israel's military on Wednesday declared all areas of southern Lebanon south of the Zahrani River — roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the border — a combat zone and ordered residents to evacuate north, warning it would act "with extreme force" against Hezbollah. The sweeping order, issued on Eid al-Adha, was the largest displacement warning since the April 17 ceasefire and covered Tyre, Nabatiyeh approaches and hundreds of towns and villages.
The warning followed days of intensified Israeli air and ground operations beyond the Litani River and Hezbollah claims of close-range clashes near Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh. Lebanese authorities reported jammed roads and overflowing shelters as people fled toward Sidon and Beirut. Military delegations from Lebanon and Israel were still expected in Washington for Pentagon-mediated security talks later in the week even as both sides accused the other of shredding the truce.
What's confirmed
- AP/Reuters: IDF on Wednesday ordered civilians to move north of the Zahrani River and declared areas south of it a combat zone, saying it would strike Hezbollah with great force (AP/Reuters).
- Al Jazeera/NBC: Evacuation maps covered most of Tyre and surrounding villages; Israel said it began hitting Hezbollah command sites after the warnings (Al Jazeera/NBC).
- BBC/AFP: Order covered about 14% of Lebanese territory and roughly 300 towns; roads jammed and Sidon shelters filled as residents fled on Eid al-Adha (BBC/AFP).
- AP: Escalation came days ahead of Lebanese-Israeli military talks in Washington under the fraying April 17 ceasefire (AP).
What's still developing
- Casualty and displacement totals as overnight and follow-on strikes continue around Tyre and Nabatiyeh.
- Whether Friday's Washington military track proceeds or collapses under the expanded combat-zone orders.
- How far Israeli ground forces push north of the Litani toward Nabatiyeh.
Sources
- AP News — Israeli military warns southern Lebanon residents to leave as it expands operations link
- Reuters — Israel declares new swathe of Lebanon a combat zone, warns residents to leave link
- Al Jazeera — Israeli strikes follow displacement order for Lebanese city of Tyre link
- NBC News — Israel's military warns residents to leave Lebanese city of Tyre link
- BBC News — Israel strikes follow large-scale southern Lebanon evacuation orders link