Israel Strikes South Lebanon After Warning 20 Towns to Evacuate

Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, following an evacuation warning issued for 20 areas, including the city of Nabatieh. The state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli airstrikes hit several locations within the warning zone, such as the villages of Rihan and Sujud, situated near Nabatieh.

The Israeli army's warning instructed residents to evacuate their homes immediately and head north of the Zahrani River, approximately 45 kilometers from the Israeli border. Since declaring the areas south of the river as "combat zones" last month, Israel has intensified its strikes in the region. Explosions and artillery shelling were reported near the Ali Taher hills overlooking Nabatieh on Friday.

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evacuate your homes immediately and move to the north of the Zahrani River

Hezbollah stated that its fighters had engaged Israeli forces advancing toward the town of Majdal Zoun. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has persisted since early March, drawing Lebanon into the wider Middle East conflict. Authorities report that Israel's military campaign has resulted in over 3,700 deaths in Lebanon.

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We want the Lebanese state to negotiate for itself, and nobody is suggesting forfeiting this role, however, the state must abandon the policy of being crushed in the face of the Israelis and submission to the Americans.

Efforts to halt the fighting have been unsuccessful, with neither Israel nor Hezbollah respecting an April ceasefire. A conditional truce deal announced this month also failed to stop the hostilities. Hezbollah has rejected direct talks and the proposed agreement, which requires the group to cease attacks without a reciprocal commitment from Israel to halt its own actions or withdraw troops.

Lebanon's leaders have accused Iran of using the country as a "bargaining chip" in broader negotiations. Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad urged Lebanon to leverage any potential deal ending the Iran war that includes the country. President Joseph Aoun described the situation as a "fateful test" for Lebanon, warning of division between a unified sovereign state and remaining "hostage to the logic of militias."

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Either its people unite around a sovereign state that monopolizes weapons, upholds the law and protects citizens irrespective of their affiliation or position, or it remains hostage to the logic of militias.