Israel has ordered residents to evacuate the southern Lebanese city of Tyre as tensions with the Iran-backed group Hezbollah continue to intensify amid renewed cross-border fighting.
The Israeli military said it was launching fresh operations in Tyre and nearby areas, accusing Hezbollah of violating a US-mediated ceasefire that took effect five weeks ago. Israeli forces warned civilians to leave the area, saying they were “compelled to act forcefully” against Hezbollah positions.
Lebanese media reported that Israeli air strikes targeted several locations in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley on Wednesday. An Israeli strike in the town of Burj al-Shamali, near Tyre, killed at least 15 people, while three others were reportedly killed in Choukine.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed it was engaged in clashes with Israeli troops north of the Litani River, around 30 kilometres from the Israeli border. The group has also accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement.
The latest escalation follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement of an expanded ground operation after Hezbollah launched drone attacks targeting Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and civilians in northern Israel.
The renewed fighting has raised concerns over ongoing diplomatic efforts involving the US, Israel and Iran to end the wider regional conflict. Iran has insisted that any agreement should also address the situation in Lebanon, while Israel says it will continue military operations against Hezbollah threats.
The conflict intensified on 2 March after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel following an Israeli strike that reportedly killed Iran’s supreme leader. Israel subsequently launched extensive air strikes across Lebanon and began a ground offensive.
Despite the ceasefire that began on 16 April and was extended twice, both sides have continued exchanging fire.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, at least 3,213 people have been killed in Lebanon since the conflict began, although the figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel says 23 soldiers and four civilians have been killed during the same period.
Source: BBC