Israeli warplanes have begun striking targets in the south and east of Lebanon after the IDF warned locals to evacuate as it steps up its military operation against Hezbollah, with one official referring to it as the “Third Lebanon War”.
The Israel Defence Forces aid on X: ” over 300 Hezbollah targets have been attacked.”
In advance of the operation, IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X: “Residents of Lebanese villages: The raids will begin in the near future – evacuate the houses where Hezbollah weapons are hidden immediately!
“Hezbollah is lying to you and sacrificing you. Hezbollah says that you are its environment and that you are its audience, but it seems that its missiles and drones are more valuable and important to it than you.”
It is believed that Israel left phone messages from civilians warning them to move to safety, with Lebanon’s information minister Ziad Makary confirming he had been contacted, something he described as ” psychological war.”
An Israeli security source told the Hebrew outlet Ynet that Israel expected a massive response from Hezbollah after the attack adding: “There are days ahead of us when the public will have to show composure.” They referred to the conflict as the “Third Lebanon War”.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant echoed the sentiment saying: ” We are at a new stage in the war, there are days ahead of us when the public will have to show composure.”
Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said: “We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harm’s way for their own safety.”
He added that Israel’s military would engage in more extensive and precise strikes whilst calling for Lebanese civilians to move out of harm’s way.
Videos circulating on social media show fires and smoke billowing from southern Lebanon.
So far, Lebanon’s Health Ministry has reported one person dead following a strike north of the Bekaa Valley.