The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have ordered the immediate evacuation of residents in 21 villages in Lebanon. The residents have been instructed to move north of the Awali river and are prohibited from heading south. This directive comes as part of the IDF’s ongoing operations against Hezbollah.
Israel’s military spokesman, Avichay Adraee, in a statement, stressed the importance of the evacuation, stating, “The IDF has no intention of harming you. To ensure your own safety, you must evacuate without delay.” He further warned that anyone near Hezbollah elements, facilities, or weapons is putting their life in danger.
Several areas in southern Lebanon have been ordered to evacuate since Israel launched its ground operation in the country.
In a related development, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has urged the United Nations to remove its peacekeepers from Lebanon’s “danger zone.” The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been operating in the country since 1978 following an invasion by Israel.
In a direct appeal to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Netanyahu stated, “Your refusal to evacuate the UNIFIL soldiers makes them hostages of Hezbollah. It is time for you to remove UNIFIL from Hezbollah’s strongholds and from the fighting areas.”
