On the same day that the third round of indirect negotiations between Lebanon and Israel reportedly began in Washington, the Israeli military announced a significant escalation of operations in southern Lebanon.
In an official statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that over the past 24 hours it had struck approximately 65 targets belonging to Hezbollah across multiple areas in southern Lebanon and killed more than 20 operatives affiliated with the group.
According to the IDF, the strikes were carried out both from the air and on the ground. The targets included weapons storage facilities, surveillance positions, command centers, and other infrastructure allegedly used to advance attacks against Israeli forces and the State of Israel.
The army stated that it continues to operate “to remove threats to Israeli civilians and IDF forces operating in southern Lebanon.”
In parallel, the Arabic-language spokesperson for the IDF, Avichay Adraee, issued urgent evacuation warnings to residents in several Lebanese towns and villages, including Labaya, Sohmor, Tafahata, Kfar Melki, Yohmor (Bekaa), Ain al-Tineh, Houmine al-Fawqa, and Mazraat Sinay.
The warning stated that due to what Israel described as violations of the ceasefire arrangement by Hezbollah, the IDF was compelled to operate forcefully against the group, while stressing that it does not intend to harm civilians.
Shortly after the warnings were issued, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli airstrikes in multiple locations in the Bekaa Valley, including Sohmor, Labaya, and Yohmor.
The escalation comes amid heightened diplomatic activity, as delegations from Lebanon and Israel are engaged in the third round of discussions in Washington, aimed at addressing ongoing security arrangements and reducing tensions along the border.
Comments