Israel Launches New Wave of Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon, Urges Evacuations Amid Rising Tensions

Israel launched a fresh round of airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday, targeting Hezbollah positions and urging residents of several villages to evacuate as cross-border tensions escalated despite nearly a year of ceasefire.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that it had “begun a series of strikes on Hezbollah military targets,” while army spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for residents in Al-Tayyiba, Tayr Debba, and Aita al-Jabal.

Lebanese officials confirmed that one person was killed and eight others wounded in the municipality of Toura, with an additional casualty reported in Tayr Debba. The attacks triggered a wave of displacement, with heavy traffic seen as residents fled the targeted zones. Several schools in Nabatieh announced closures for Friday citing safety concerns.

Intensified Operations

Lebanese sources told Xinhua that Israeli forces conducted 22 military operations in the first week of November alone — including air raids, artillery shelling, and demolitions — leaving eight dead, 10 injured, and six houses destroyed. The bombardments also caused “extensive damage to property and infrastructure,” they said.

In October, the Lebanese Health Ministry had reported 28 deaths and 54 injuries from Israeli strikes.

Lebanese Army Operations

A senior Lebanese military intelligence source said that the Lebanese army is “working with full force” to secure areas south of the Litani River, having established positions in 118 locations and dismantled multiple militant tunnels and sites. The source added that about 90% of the army’s first-phase mission is complete and expected to finish by year-end.

Hezbollah’s Warning

Meanwhile, Hezbollah released an open letter addressed to President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, warning against engaging in “political negotiations” with Israel.
“There is no national interest in talks with the Israeli enemy,” the group said, accusing Israel of using “blackmail” to push for its disarmament as a condition for ending hostilities — a move Hezbollah termed “unacceptable” and outside the 2024 ceasefire framework.

Regional and International Reaction

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed “deep concern” over the rising hostilities along the Blue Line, urging both parties to exercise restraint and maintain communication channels to avoid miscalculation.

The ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, in place since November 27, 2024, has come under increasing strain as Israeli forces continue targeted strikes, citing “security threats” from Hezbollah.

Analysts: ‘Pressure by Fire’

Political analyst Nidal Issa said Lebanon stands “on the brink of a new confrontation,” describing Israel’s actions as part of a ‘pressure by fire’ strategy to force Hezbollah and Beirut into concessions before potential war.

Another analyst, Refaat Badawi, adviser to former Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss, said the escalation aims to pressure Lebanon into negotiations that could pave the way for normalization.
“Israel is using these strikes to maintain the status quo in the south and deter Lebanon from demanding Israeli withdrawal,” Badawi added.