Israel warned residents of Lebanon’s Nabatiyeh to evacuate after accusing Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire agreement. The IDF announced possible military operations as tensions escalated along the Israel-Lebanon border ahead of renewed US-backed diplomatic and security negotiations.
Fresh tensions have erupted along the Israel-Lebanon border after the Israel Defence Force (IDF) accused Hezbollah of repeatedly violating the existing ceasefire agreement and warned civilians in southern Lebanon to evacuate before possible military operations.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military issued an urgent evacuation notice for residents of the Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh, signaling the possibility of renewed military strikes in the area. The warning was announced by Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee through a public statement on social media platform X.
According to the statement, civilians living in Nabatiyeh were instructed to move north of the Zahrani River immediately for their safety. Israeli authorities claimed the warning became necessary because Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure continued to operate in violation of the ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Lebanon.
Adraee stated that the Israeli military was being “forced to act forcefully” against Hezbollah because of what he described as ongoing hostile activity. He further claimed that civilians remaining near Hezbollah positions, military facilities, or combat equipment could face serious danger if military action begins.
The latest warning follows a series of earlier evacuation notices issued by the IDF in several villages across southern Lebanon, including Mefdon, Shukin, Yahmar, Arnoun, Zoter Sharqiya, Zoter Gharbiya, and Kafr Tibnit. Israeli officials had previously instructed residents in those areas to remain at least 1,000 meters away from locations identified by the military as Hezbollah-linked positions.
Following those alerts, Israeli forces reportedly launched airstrikes targeting multiple structures in the affected villages. The IDF claimed the buildings were being used by Hezbollah militants to coordinate attacks and plan operations against Israeli troops and Israeli territory.
The security situation along the border has remained fragile despite the ceasefire announced earlier this year between Israel and Lebanon. Although the truce temporarily reduced large-scale hostilities, clashes and targeted strikes have continued in southern Lebanon, keeping the region on edge.
On Sunday, Israeli Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir said Israeli forces were continuing operations against Hezbollah “across all dimensions” inside Lebanon. His remarks indicated that Israel intends to maintain military pressure on Hezbollah despite ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held high-level security consultations on Tuesday at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv. The meeting included Defence Minister Israel Katz and military chief Eyal Zamir. Officials reportedly reviewed the evolving security situation in Lebanon and discussed Israel’s response strategy.
Israel has maintained that Hezbollah continues to pose a direct threat to its national security. Israeli authorities argue that the Iran-backed militant group has used the ceasefire period to reorganize military assets and strengthen positions near the border.
Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah officials, however, have repeatedly criticized Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, accusing Israel of violating Lebanese sovereignty through daily airstrikes and military presence in disputed border regions.
Diplomatic efforts are continuing alongside the rising military tensions. According to US State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott, Israel and Lebanon are expected to resume political negotiations at the US State Department on June 2 and 3. Parallel military-level security discussions involving delegations from both countries are also scheduled to begin at the Pentagon on May 29.
| Also Read: South Korea Delays Oil Release Amid August Supply Crisis Fears |
International observers fear that continued violence along the border could undermine ongoing diplomatic initiatives and increase the risk of a wider regional conflict. The situation remains highly volatile as civilians in southern Lebanon face growing uncertainty amid repeated evacuation warnings and military activity.
