Israel orders evacuation of Lebanese village ahead of planned attack

The Israeli military on Friday ordered the immediate evacuation of the southern Lebanese village of Sajd, warning residents to flee their homes before an impending attack. Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued what he described as an “urgent warning” on social media, directing civilians to relocate north of the Zahrani River. The order comes as Israeli forces intensify operations against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon’s southern border region.

Evacuation zone expands amid escalating conflict

Adraee stated the evacuation warning was issued as part of what he called “forceful action against Hezbollah activities.” The Zahrani River, which flows approximately 25 kilometers through the Nabatieh and Sidon districts before reaching the Mediterranean Sea, lies north of the Litani River—an area that has increasingly become a focus of Israeli military operations. The evacuation marks a further expansion of displacement orders affecting Lebanese civilians as cross-border hostilities intensify.

Regional conflict draws Lebanon deeper

The escalation in southern Lebanon follows the broader regional conflagration that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Hezbollah, a key Iranian ally, began targeting Israeli positions on March 2 in response to ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory, despite a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024. Israel launched renewed airstrikes on southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs on March 2, followed by a limited ground incursion into the south on March 3. Ankara has repeatedly warned against the expansion of conflict into Lebanon, urging all parties to exercise restraint and warning that further escalation threatens regional stability with direct implications for Türkiye’s security interests along its Mediterranean coast.