Israel pounds southern Lebanon after declaring it a ‘combat zone’

Israel carried out heavy strikes across southern Lebanon after declaring the entire area a “combat zone.” RT witnessed the evacuations ahead of the bombardment.

Wednesday’s escalation came after Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued evacuation orders for several areas ahead of what it described as strikes on Hezbollah targets. Maps published by the IDF earlier in the day marked large sections of the Lebanese Tyre region for evacuation, and military spokesman Avichay Adraee warned that all areas south of the Zahrani River were considered a “combat zone.”

Reporting from Lebanon’s Tyre District, RT journalist Ali Rida Sbeity said residents had begun fleeing the city, noting that many had “stayed throughout the war, even at its peak and after the ceasefire, but now they are taking this road toward Saida and Beirut, seeking safer areas.”

In a statement posted hours later on X, the IDF claimed that it had struck military buildings, command centers, and launch sites allegedly used by Hezbollah in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon. The military claimed that around 550 Hezbollah-linked targets had been hit since the beginning of the week, adding that operations around Tyre were ongoing.

Lebanese media reported strikes on several southern towns, including Deir Amas, Braiqaa, Srifa, and Toura. The Lebanese army said one of its soldiers had been killed near a military position in the Bekaa region.

Hezbollah says its fighters are continuing to conduct retaliatory operations against Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. The group has repeatedly said it is acting in response to Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.

The intensified bombing comes amid indirect talks between the US and Iran, with Tehran asserting that Israel must bring a halt to its military operations against Hezbollah if the ceasefire with Washington is to be extended. US President Donald Trump has previously said that Israel should only engage in “surgical” military strikes in Lebanon.

According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, at least 3,213 people have been killed and 9,737 wounded since Israel launched its military operation against Hezbollah following the US-Israeli attack on Iran in late February.