Israeli military aircraft bombed multiple locations across southern Lebanon on Friday following evacuation orders issued for nine communities, including one area that had largely avoided damage and was housing thousands of war refugees.
According to Lebanon’s state news agency, the bombardment resulted in six deaths. The evacuation directives prompted hundreds of families to abandon the village of Anqoun and the Aarnaya region, located near the edge of the mainly Christian community of Maghdoucheh, close to the southern coastal city of Sidon.
These military operations occurred one day after the Hezbollah militant organization turned down the most recent ceasefire proposal between Israeli and Lebanese officials, insisting on full Israeli military withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
The Lebanese conflict, where Israeli military units have captured significant portions of the south since March 2, jeopardizes attempts to conclude the Iran war and restore access to the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have insisted that any permanent peace deal must include Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing upcoming elections this year, seeks to continue Israel’s military campaign until Hezbollah no longer represents a security threat.
Approximately three hours following the evacuation notices delivered by the Israeli military’s Arabic spokesperson, Israeli fighter jets bombed the communities, including Anqoun. The Lebanese news agency NNA reported that roughly 2,500 displaced individuals were taking refuge in Anqoun.
On Friday, U.N. peacekeeping forces and Lebanese military personnel were observed at a Dibbine village entrance, close to Marjayoun town, after Israeli forces retreated following heavy fighting with Hezbollah combatants.
The ceasefire proposal requires Lebanon’s military to assume security control over Lebanese zones where militants would be prohibited.
This marked the initial Israeli troop withdrawal from any southern Lebanon location since the current Israel-Hezbollah conflict started three months ago. At the village entrance, numerous destroyed homes were visible from the battles and air attacks. A peacekeeping force bulldozer was clearing the primary road into Dibbine.
Israeli forces have captured approximately one-fifth of Lebanon, advancing deeper into the country’s southern region than at any point since Israel’s 1982-2000 occupation ended. The recent ceasefire proposal emerged from U.S.-mediated negotiations between Israeli and Lebanese government officials, with Lebanon’s government accusing Hezbollah of involving the nation in warfare and attempting to disarm the group before current hostilities.
On Thursday evening, an airstrike in the southern city of Tyre resulted in three deaths and seven injuries, including three children and two women, according to the Health Ministry.
Over 3,500 individuals have died in Lebanon since the war started. The conflict has resulted in at least 29 Israeli military deaths and three civilian casualties.
