Israel expands military operations in Lebanon and demands evacuation in the south

<p Beirut – 31.05.2026: Israel has officially announced the expansion of its military operations in Lebanon and calls on the population in the south of the country to evacuate immediately, particularly all areas south of the Zahrani River. A spokesperson for the Israeli army published the statement on Sunday on the Telegram platform in Arabic. In it, the Israeli army emphasized that any facility used by Hezbollah for military purposes will be considered a legitimate target. Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite militia with strong political roots and close connections to Iran, is considered Israel’s main adversary in the region.

The expansion of operations comes in a context of increasing tensions between Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah in recent weeks. Israel justifies the military operations with the goal of neutralizing the security threats posed by the Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon and preventing possible attacks. The Lebanese government expressed concern about the development and appealed to all parties to act with restraint to avoid further destabilizing the country and the region.

The call for evacuation affects numerous communities along the border, considered potential combat zones. Lebanese authorities are striving to coordinate the evacuation logistics, although the tense security situation along with infrastructure problems significantly complicate the process. The humanitarian situation in the region is increasingly worsening, which also alarms international organizations.

On an international level, there is concern over the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East. The United Nations and several countries are calling on both parties in conflict to de-escalate and show willingness to engage in dialogue to avoid a large-scale confrontation. The U.S. Department of State also expressed its alarm and highlighted the urgent need for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Hezbollah responded to the Israeli announcement with warnings of new attacks and called the measure provocative. The organization announced that it will respond defensively to possible attacks and strengthen its position in Lebanon. The situation remains tense and it is unclear to what extent the militia will respond militarily in the coming days.

The situation in the Middle East remains dynamic and dangerous, with Lebanon considered a focal point of the increasing clashes between Israel and its adversaries. The international community is observing the developments with great interest. In the coming hours and days, it will be seen whether diplomatic efforts succeed in preventing new escalations or if the conflict intensifies further.

Overall, the current situation marks a critical phase in the Middle East conflict that could have broad repercussions on the stability of the entire region.

Sources

• franceinfo
• Telegram