Israel orders evacuation of 29 south Lebanon towns as it claims ground op

The Israeli army on Tuesday called on the residents of 29 towns in south Lebanon to evacuate to the area north of the Awali River, as it launched what it called a “limited” ground incursion.

It identified the towns as Yaroun, Ain Ebel, Maroun al-Ras, al-Tiri, Hadatha, Aita al-Jabal, Jmeijmeh, Toulin, Deir Aames, Burj Qalaway, al-Bayada, Zebqin, Jbal al-Botm, Srebbine, al-Shaitiyeh, al-Knaysseh, al-Hinniyeh, Maarakeh, al- Ghandouriyeh, Deir Qanoun Malkiyat al-Sahel, Burj al-Shamali, Ebel al-Saqi, Srifa, Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, al-Abbasiyeh, al-Rashidiyeh, Bint Jbeil and Aitaroun.

“The Israeli army does not want to harm you and for your own safety you must evacuate your homes immediately. Anyone who is near Hezbollah members, installations and combat equipment is putting their life in danger. Any home used by Hezbollah for its military needs is expected to be targeted,” the army warned.

“You must immediately head to the north of the Awali River, save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately,” it added.

The Awali River, some 60 kilometers from the border, is farther than the Litani River, which marks the northern edge of a U.N.-declared zone that was intended to serve as a buffer between Israel and Hezbollah after the 2006 war. The Litani River is 30 kilometers from the border.

“Be careful, you are not allowed to go south. Going south could put your life in danger. We will let you know when it is safe to return home,” the Israeli army said.

The orders came hours after Israel sent ground forces into southern Lebanon in what it described as a limited incursion against the Hezbollah militant group.

The evacuation order was posted by the Israeli military's Arabic spokesman on the social media platform X.