Israel intensifies airstrikes in southern Lebanon, residents warned to evacuate

Residents in southern Lebanon watched from their rooftops as Israel conducted airstrikes in the region, with escalating tensions leading to an evacuation warning. "They are coming closer and closer every day," said Hanan Khalil, referring to the Israeli airstrikes. On Wednesday, explosions were heard throughout the night in the town of Baysarieh, located about 20 kilometers south of Nabatieh, one of southern Lebanon's largest urban centers.

Multiple sources reported approximately 120 airstrikes in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon on Tuesday and into Wednesday morning, according to The Guardian. The Israeli military issued an evacuation warning on Wednesday, urging residents south of the Litani River to move north. The army announced it was operating against Hezbollah with "great force" and expanding its security buffer zone to protect communities in northern Israel.

The situation between Israel and Hezbollah has significantly worsened as Israeli armored vehicles crossed the border into Lebanon. Israel justifies its advance by citing Hezbollah's drone attacks, stating its objective is to secure northern Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that he had ordered the military to "intensify operations" in Lebanon, taking control of strategically important positions.

Lebanon's health ministry reported that at least 31 people died in Israeli strikes on Tuesday. The conflict, which began in March, has seen ongoing reciprocal attacks despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in April. Both sides accuse each other of violating the truce. Since the start of the conflict, over 3,200 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry.