Israel sends texts to residents of southern Lebanon demanding they evacuate

The Israeli army has sent text messages to the residents of southern Lebanon demanding they leave their homes and move north.

The Israeli army claimed Hezbollah was hiding weapons in civilian homes and that it will intensify its air strikes in southern Lebanon.

“If you are in a building containing Hezbollah weapons, stay away from the village until further notice,” said one text message, indicating that Israel is about to target Lebanese civilians extensively.

The Israeli army launched its heaviest bombing of Lebanon in almost 20 years yesterday, killing nearly 500 people and displacing tens of thousands.

Spokesman Daniel Hagari claimed the Israeli army had detected a “new method” practised by Hezbollah fighters to store weapons in civilian homes; a claim that Israel has reiterated in the past.

Hagari added that Hezbollah planned to launch a remote-controlled cruise missile from inside a home in southern Lebanon, and said that “in the near future we will attack targets in Lebanon. We call on anyone who is near properties or homes where Hezbollah hides weapons to stay away. Hezbollah poses a danger to you.”

Asked whether the Israeli army is considering launching a ground invasion in Lebanon, Hagari said the army has submitted plans to the political level “in order to return the residents of the north to their homes.”

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