The IDF began a wave of precise strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Wednesday after – for the first time since June – issuing an evacuation warning for civilians in the area of the strikes.
The military stated that the strikes were initiated in retaliation for blatant ceasefire violations by Hezbollah.
The IDF’s Arabic Spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Ella Waweya, issued the evacuation warning for the village of Al-Mansouri on X/Twitter, instructing all residents to move at least 1,000 meters north of the village.
Waweya warned that anyone who remains near Hezbollah facilities or terrorists is putting their life at risk.
Also on Wednesday, Walla reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is delaying the military response against Hezbollah due to fears of American criticism.
Strikes occured as Israel, Lebanon held talks on Hezbollah disarmament framework
The strikes started as Israeli and Lebanese delegations met in Rome for a second day of talks regarding the continued implementation of a plan for Hezbollah disarmament, IDF withdrawal, and Lebanese military deployment.
The negotiations follow a US-brokered framework reached on June 26 that called for Hezbollah’s disarmament, the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) across southern Lebanon, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal. The talks have since focused on translating those principles into practical arrangements.
As part of an initial pilot program, Lebanese troops have deployed in Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh. Israel withdrew from Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh before the Lebanese deployment, while the other two communities were already outside the IDF-held security zone.
The program is intended to test whether the Lebanese military can clear designated areas of Hezbollah weapons and prevent the group from reestablishing a military presence.
Military activity has continued alongside the diplomatic process. Israel said it remains deployed in a security zone in southern Lebanon to prevent attacks on northern communities; it has continued targeting Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure it says violate the ceasefire arrangements. In July, the IDF said troops operating in Haddatha had destroyed over 90 Hezbollah sites and located more than 150 weapons during a month of operations.
Amir Bohbot contributed to this report.