Evacuate now: Israel warns of imminent strikes in Lebanon

Jerusalem: The Israeli military warned residents of four villages in Lebanon to evacuate immediately on Monday, saying it would soon strike Hezbollah and Hamas targets in those areas.

In two separate posts on X, the military's Arabic-language spokesman, Colonel Avichay Adraee, said the villages were Kfar Hatta and Annan in south Lebanon, and Al-Manara and Ain al-Tinah in eastern Lebanon.

He said the military would hit Hezbollah sites in Kfar Hatta and Ain al-Tinah, and Hamas sites in Annan and Al-Manara.

Despite a year-old ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel carries out regular strikes on Lebanon, usually saying it is bombing Hezbollah sites and operatives, and occasionally Hamas targets.

It has also maintained troops in five areas it deems strategic.

Israel launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon on October 1, 2024. The operation followed nearly a year of escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah along the border.

After weeks of intensified fighting, Israel and Lebanon reached a ceasefire agreement on November 26, brokered by France and the United States. The truce came into force the following day, November 27, although sporadic clashes have continued despite the agreement.

The latest round of fighting began shortly after Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, when Hezbollah entered the conflict in support of Hamas. The group launched rockets into northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, prompting Israeli retaliatory strikes and a widening of the confrontation.