Israel ordered immediate evacuations for residents of more than 10 towns in southern Lebanon, including communities north of the Litani River, instructing civilians to move at least 1,000 metres into open areas. The orders came amid a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire and reports of Israeli strikes on additional towns. Israel's chief of staff warned of action "beyond the Yellow Line," while recent drone attacks killed two soldiers and a contractor. Lebanon's health ministry said at least 10 people were killed on Saturday, bringing reported casualties since March 2 to 2,659 dead and 8,183 injured.
Israel Issues New Evacuation Orders in Southern Lebanon, Including Areas North of the Litani
Smoke rises over southern Lebanon after Israeli strikes, as seen from Nabatieh, Lebanon, on May 2, 2026 [Reuters]
Israel's military has issued fresh evacuation orders for residents of more than 10 towns and villages in southern Lebanon — including communities north of the Litani River — despite a fragile, U.S.-brokered ceasefire meant to pause hostilities with Hezbollah.
In an Arabic-language post on X on Sunday, Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee warned:
"For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move away from the villages and towns by at least 1,000 metres [0.6 miles] into open areas."
The directive named more than 10 locations, including several in the Nabatieh district north of the Litani River — a line south of which Israeli forces have concentrated deployments. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency later reported Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon, including attacks on towns not specified in the evacuation notice.
Ceasefire Context and Military Warnings
A United States-brokered ceasefire, in place since April 17 and recently extended to mid-May, remains formally active but fragile. On Wednesday, Israel's chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, warned of operations "beyond the Yellow Line," the demarcation Israeli authorities use to denote their area of control, saying:
"Any threat, anywhere, against our communities or our forces — including beyond the Yellow Line and north of the Litani — will be eliminated."
Recent Violence and Casualties
Over the past week, drone strikes in the area killed two soldiers and an army contractor, and dozens of soldiers were wounded. Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reported at least 10 civilians killed in Israeli strikes on Saturday. Since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on March 2, the ministry reports a total of 2,659 dead and 8,183 injured nationwide.
Reporting From Beirut
Al Jazeera correspondent Rory Challands, reporting from Beirut, said the truce "exists only in name," noting that Israel still maintains large force concentrations in the south and has continued bombing and demolitions. He highlighted that three of the towns receiving evacuation orders were being warned for the first time and that some affected communities lie north of the Litani — a potential sign the scope of operations is expanding.
The situation remains fluid. Civilians in affected areas are being urged to follow evacuation instructions and humanitarian agencies continue to warn of growing displacement and civilian risk across southern Lebanon.
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