Israel Expands Military Operations in Lebanon, Civilians Urged to Evacuate

The Israeli military has expanded its large-scale ground operations in southern Lebanon, claiming the attacks aim to combat Iran-backed Hezbollah. In a statement cited by AFP on Sunday (31 May 2026), the military said, “A large number of IDF ground troops have launched an offensive operation aimed at expanding the Forward Defence Line… The current operation is extending into additional areas,” adding that its forces have crossed the Litani River. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israeli troops had crossed Lebanon’s Litani River, which flows about 30 kilometres north of the shared border. A ceasefire to halt fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah officially took effect on 17 April but has never been honoured. Both Israel and Hezbollah have accused each other of breaching the truce and justifying their attacks based on alleged violations by the other side. The Israeli military stated it launched operations several days ago in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki areas of southern Lebanon, aiming to eliminate immediate threats to communities in the Galilee Panhandle and Metula, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen operational control in southern Lebanon. Israeli military authorities warned civilians in southern Lebanon south of the Zahrani River to evacuate, stating operations against Hezbollah are intensifying. “Lebanese citizens in southern Lebanon must move north of Zahrani immediately,” wrote Arabic-speaking military spokesperson Avichay Adraee on social media. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of implementing a “scorched earth” policy in the south of the country. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported Israeli strikes have killed more than 3,371 people since 2 March, when Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East conflict.