The Israeli army (IDF) announced on Wednesday the expansion of the offensive in southern Lebanon. She declared all areas south of the Zahrání river as combat zones and once again called on the inhabitants there to move north of this stream. This is the first evacuation call for all of southern Lebanon since the ceasefire began, The Times of Israel (TOI) reported.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli Armed Forces, through its spokesman, called on the residents of the city of Sur and the surrounding areas in southern Lebanon, to immediately leave their homes and move to the north of the river Zahrání. It lies further north from the Lítání river.
“We call on all residents of southern Lebanon to stay away from Hezbollah members, their equipment and combat equipment,” said army spokesman Avichaj Adrai. The pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement confirmed on Wednesday that it is fighting with the Israeli army in the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiya, north of the Lítani River.
In recent days, the IDF has issued a series of evacuation calls, which, however, concerned specific cities and towns. Wednesday’s announcement is the first warning since the start of the April 16 ceasefire that applies to the entire area of southern Lebanon. TOI reported, according to which the truce has largely broken down.
