Israel orders residents of 16 towns, villages in Lebanon to evacuate ‘immediately’

The Israeli military issued an urgent warning early on Wednesday to residents of 16 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, ordering them to evacuate ahead of planned air strikes.

In a statement, the Israeli army spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, addressed residents in the villages and towns of Rab al-Thalathine, Markaba, Houla, Qalaat Dibba, Qabrikha, Touline, Al-Khirbeh, Shaqra, Al-Sawana, Majdal Selm, Al-Tamriyah, Al-Tayri, Tallouseh, Safd al-Battikh, Jmaijmeh and Bani Hayyan.

The spokesperson called on residents to leave their homes “immediately” and move at least one kilometre outside their villages.

The warning comes as Israel steps up attacks in various parts of Lebanon, alongside its war with Iran. Since early Monday until Tuesday evening, 50 people have been killed and 335 injured, according to Lebanese figures.

READ: Death toll from Israeli attacks in Lebanon rises to 52

Early on Monday, Hezbollah said it had targeted a military site in northern Israel with rockets and drones, in response to continued Israeli strikes on Lebanon and the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as part of an ongoing US-Israeli offensive against Iran that began at dawn on Saturday.

Following that, the Israeli army announced the launch of what it described as an “offensive battle” against Hezbollah. Israeli aircraft carried out a series of air strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and areas in southern Lebanon, while the military urged the public to prepare for “several days of fighting”.

Israel has previously killed more than 4,000 people and wounded around 17,000 others during its offensive on Lebanon, which began in October 2023 and escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024.

READ: Lebanese prime minister bans Hezbollah’s military activities