The Israeli Army ordered this Wednesday (2) the evacuation of more than 20 villages in southern Lebanon, located around 20 kilometers from the border, at the same time that it announced the deployment of more soldiers to the region.
In a message, the Israeli Army’s Arabic spokesman, Avichay Adraee, warned that the Lebanese villages of Al Bayada, Bayout al Siyad, Al Rashidiya, Mashouq, Al Bas, Shabriha, Tayr Dibba, Al Barghliyeh, Al Qasimiyeh, Nabi Qassem, Burj Rahhal, Al Abbasiya, Maarakeh, Ain Baal, Mahrouna, Baflieh, Deir Kifa, Srifa, Arzun, Dardghaya, Dahr Bariyeh Jaber, Jabal al Adas, Shahour and Burj al Shamali.
“Hezbollah’s activities force the Army to act forcefully against the group. The Army has no intention of harming them, therefore, for their safety, they should evacuate their homes immediately and head north of the Awali River,” he said the spokesperson.
The Awali, located more than 50 kilometers from the border, is much further north than the Litani River (30 kilometers), which marks the demilitarized zone designated by the UN after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, where there should be no armed presence in addition to the Lebanese authorities and the United Nations mission in the country (UNIFIL).
This Tuesday (1st), the Israeli Army had already ordered the evacuation of more than 20 villages in southern Lebanon, encouraging residents to move north to Awali.
The announcement coincides with authorities’ decision to send more troops to southern Lebanon, who will join the “limited incursions” against Hezbollah inside Lebanese territory that Israel announced two nights ago.
In a statement, Israeli forces detailed that the 36th Division, which includes armored and infantry brigades, will join the offensive, which will also receive support from the air force and artillery.
The country announced on Monday (30) the beginning of a series of “limited incursions” into Lebanese territory to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure in the south of the country, and shortly afterwards said that, in fact, it has been operating in the area for months, although in There is currently no official confirmation that direct clashes occurred.
On the other hand, the terrorist group assured this Wednesday that its forces managed to repel a group of Israeli soldiers in the city of Oddaisseh, very close to the border with Israel, causing casualties among the soldiers.
Israel, which normally waits to notify the families of injured or killed soldiers before confirming this type of incident, has not yet commented on the development.
#Israel #orders #villages #evacuate #southern #Lebanon