Israel warns residents of two Lebanese villages to evacuate ahead of imminent strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure, following a day of direct talks.
JERUSALEM: The Israeli military has warned it will soon strike Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
It issued an immediate evacuation call for residents of two villages on Thursday.
The army’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, said the strikes were a response to Hezbollah’s prohibited attempts to rebuild its activities.
He identified the villages as Jbaa and Mahrouna.
“The (Israeli army) will soon strike military infrastructure belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organisation across areas in southern Lebanon,” Adraee said. He warned residents that remaining in the area “puts you at risk”.
The warning came a day after Israel and Lebanon held their first direct talks in decades.
The talks were held under a year-old ceasefire monitoring mechanism, with US special envoy Morgan Ortagus in attendance.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office described the atmosphere at the talks as “positive”.
It also stated it was “essential” that Hezbollah disarm regardless of any progress in economic cooperation.
A ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was agreed in November 2024 to end more than a year of fighting.
The conflict broke out after the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.
Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon since the truce, saying it targets Hezbollah members and infrastructure.
It has also kept troops in five areas in the south despite the ceasefire’s stipulation for a full pullout.
