Daijiworld Media Network – Beirut
Beirut, Nov 7: Tensions escalated along the Israel-Lebanon border on Thursday as the Israeli military carried out intense airstrikes on southern Lebanon, hours after ordering mass evacuations in several villages. The Israeli army claimed the operation targeted Hezbollah positions allegedly being rebuilt in violation of a year-old ceasefire.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, one person was killed and another wounded in the latest strikes. The bombardment followed evacuation orders issued by Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee, who posted maps on social media showing affected areas in the villages of Aita al-Jabal, Al-Tayyiba, and Tayr Debba. Two additional orders were later issued for nearby towns, some as close as 4 km from the Israeli border.
Residents were instructed to maintain at least a 500-metre distance from marked locations, while Lebanon’s civil defence units assisted in evacuations. Within an hour of the warning, heavy airstrikes were reported across the south, sending thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky.
The attacks come despite a ceasefire agreement signed last year to end prolonged hostilities between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. Lebanese officials expressed alarm over the renewed escalation. “We are in a very dangerous situation; if things keep heading this way... then all hope is lost,” said Farid Nahnouh, mayor of Tayr Debba.
Evacuation orders amid rising tensions
Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said the strikes were aimed at preventing Hezbollah from rearming. “Israel will continue to defend all of its borders and insists on full enforcement of the ceasefire agreement. We will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild the military strength that was shattered in 2023–24,” Bedrosian stated.
Hezbollah, while reaffirming its commitment to the truce, maintained that it retains a “legitimate right” to resist Israeli aggression. The group has not fired on Israel since the ceasefire came into effect and has not obstructed Lebanese army operations to dismantle its military infrastructure.
The strikes coincided with a Lebanese cabinet meeting, where army commander Rodolphe Haykal briefed officials on ongoing efforts to confiscate Hezbollah’s remaining arms depots in the south. Lebanese security officials told Reuters that the army was making faster progress toward clearing the region of weapons outside state control, aiming to complete the process by the end of the year.
Civilian losses reported
Among the sites hit on Thursday was an ironworks shop in the town of Abbasiyeh, which was completely destroyed. “This shop supported five to six households,” said owner Ahmad al-Kayyal. “Brother, what does a blacksmith do? For heaven’s sake—chairs, tables, doors, windows, railings. What does he make? That’s the blacksmith’s job,” he lamented, standing amid the ruins.
Fears are growing in Lebanon that Israel could resume a full-scale air campaign if tensions continue to rise, potentially undoing months of efforts to stabilize the border region.