Israeli military hits targets in south and east Lebanon, warning residents of four villages to evacuate ahead of strikes on Hezbollah and Hamas sites.
BEIRUT: Israeli forces launched strikes on southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday.
The attacks followed explicit Israeli warnings to residents of four villages to evacuate ahead of the military operation.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported strikes in the areas of Ain al-Tineh, Al-Manara and Annan.
The Israeli military stated it had “began striking Hezbollah and Hamas terror targets in Lebanon”.
In social media posts, an Israeli military spokesman identified the targeted villages as Kfar Hatta and Annan in the south, and Al-Manara and Ain al-Tineh in the east.
He said the strikes would hit Hezbollah sites in Kfar Hatta and Ain al-Tineh, and Hamas sites in Annan and Al-Manara.
An AFP photographer in Kfar Hatta saw dozens of families fleeing after the warning was issued.
Ambulances and fire trucks were placed on standby in the area amid drone activity.
The NNA reported that a home targeted in Al-Manara belonged to a Hamas leader killed by Israel in 2024.
These strikes occur despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that has been in place for over a year.
Israel regularly conducts strikes in Lebanon, primarily targeting Hezbollah and occasionally Hamas.
Two people were killed in an Israeli strike on a vehicle in southern Lebanon on Sunday.
Under international pressure, Beirut has committed to disarming Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s army was expected to complete disarmament south of the Litani River by the end of 2025.
All four villages targeted on Monday are located north of that river.
Israel’s foreign minister recently called Lebanon’s disarmament efforts insufficient.
Lebanon’s cabinet is set to meet this week to discuss the army’s progress.
At least 350 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon since the 2024 ceasefire.
