Deir Zahrani: The Israeli military has ordered residents of a designated area in Deir Zahrani in southern Lebanon to leave ahead of planned strikes targeting what it described as a Hezbollah facility.
The military said an explosive drone had been launched towards its forces and that Hezbollah activity had prompted it to take military action. It did not say whether any Israeli personnel were injured in the incident.
In a message issued in Arabic, the Israeli military warned residents that it was targeting a facility it described as belonging to Hezbollah and said people remaining in the area could be at risk.
The evacuation warning came amid continued tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, despite a United States (US) brokered ceasefire. Israeli forces have continued military operations in parts of southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has maintained its opposition to Israeli military activity in the area.
Hezbollah’s Al Manar television later reported that Israeli airstrikes had hit Deir Zahrani. The reports followed Israeli warnings to residents and added to concerns over further escalation along the Lebanon Israel front.
The latest developments come after Israeli forces said they had recently cleared Hezbollah fighters from tunnels beneath the strategic Ali al Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has not publicly commented on that operation.
The continuing exchanges underline the fragile security situation in southern Lebanon, where military activity has persisted despite diplomatic efforts to maintain the ceasefire.
Further developments will depend on whether the latest strikes and warnings lead to additional military action or renewed efforts to contain the escalation.
