ISTANBUL
The Israeli military on Friday ordered residents of the village of Sajd in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately and move north of the Zahrani River ahead of a planned strike.
Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an "urgent warning" in a post on the US social media company X, calling on residents to leave their homes at once.
"Evacuate your homes immediately and move north of the Zahrani River," he said.
Adraee said the warning was issued as part of what he described as "forceful action against Hezbollah activities."
The Zahrani River, located north of the Litani River, runs about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) through towns in the Nabatieh and Sidon districts before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea south of Sidon.
The conflict has expanded regionally as US and Israeli attacks on Iran since Feb. 28 have drawn in Lebanon. Hezbollah, an ally of Iran, began targeting Israeli positions on March 2 in response to ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite a ceasefire reached in November 2024 and the killing of Iran's then supreme leader.
Israel launched renewed airstrikes on southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs the same day, beginning a limited ground incursion in the south on March 3.
*Writing by Lina Altawell