Lebanese army warns against returning to south as Israeli attacks continue

The Lebanese military issued an urgent warning Wednesday advising displaced residents not to return to their homes in southern Lebanon, citing ongoing Israeli attacks even after a temporary ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran took effect. The army’s statement came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that the two-week truce negotiated with Tehran “does not include Lebanon,” signaling that operations against Hezbollah would continue uninterrupted.

Evacuation orders resume in southern Lebanon

The Lebanese army cautioned that “in light of regional developments and reports circulating about a ceasefire,” residents should avoid approaching areas where Israeli forces have advanced to ensure civilian safety. Returning prematurely could endanger lives due to continued Israeli strikes. Earlier Wednesday, the Israeli military ordered residents of the southern town of Shabriha to evacuate ahead of a planned attack on a building there—marking the first such warning since President Trump announced the Iran ceasefire deal. The army also urged extreme caution regarding unexploded ordnance and suspicious objects left behind by Israeli forces.

Heavy toll in Lebanon

Israel has carried out airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2, despite a previous ceasefire that had been in place since November 2024. Lebanese authorities report that at least 1,530 people have been killed and 4,812 others injured in Israeli attacks since early March. For Türkiye, which has consistently called for an end to hostilities across the region, the exclusion of Lebanon from the US-Iran ceasefire underscores the fragmented nature of current diplomatic efforts. Ankara continues to urge a comprehensive halt to all military operations, warning that allowing fighting to continue on one front while pausing on another will not bring lasting regional stability.