Lebanon: Israel launches attacks in the southern parts

TT

Updated 14.19 | Published 12.40

 

Destruction in southern Lebanon, seen from Israel, earlier in April. Photo: Ariel Schalit/AP/TT

Israel has launched attacks on seven villages in southern Lebanon, state-run Lebanese media reports.

The attack follows an earlier evacuation warning that residents of the villages, which are located north of the Litani River, must leave their homes.

Shortly before 14:00 Swedish time, Israel is reported to have launched attacks on the villages in southern Lebanon.

The attacks are taking place despite the ongoing fragile ceasefire with the Iran-backed Shia militia Hezbollah.

Israeli airstrikes have been carried out in Kfar Tibnit – one of the villages included in the warning – according to the Lebanese news agency NNA. and adds that there are reports of injuries.

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee stated earlier on Sunday that the Israeli military must “act forcefully” because Hezbollah is violating the ceasefire.

The military “does not intend to harm you. For your safety, you must therefore immediately evacuate your homes and keep at least 1,000 meters outside the designated area,” he wrote on X shortly before noon.

Anyone in the area and near Hezbollah-linked sites is at risk of death, according to Adraee.

Israel has previously said that it wants to “maintain a security zone over the entire area up to the Litani,” which is about three miles from the Israeli border.

The seven villages covered by the latest call are instead north of the river.