Israel expands operations in southern Lebanon as Nabatieh evacuation warning sparks new fears

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Lebanon 26-05-2026 | 15:06

Israel expands operations in southern Lebanon as Nabatieh evacuation warning sparks new fears

Heavy airstrikes, evacuation orders, and clashes with Hezbollah mark a dangerous new phase in the escalating conflict along the Lebanon-Israel border.

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Israel expands operations in southern Lebanon as Nabatieh evacuation warning sparks new fears
Destruction in Nabatieh (Annahar).
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In continuation of the recent escalation, and following a series of warnings and heavy bombardments targeting several villages and towns, the Israeli army on Tuesday issued a new warning to residents of the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon.

 

Residents of the city were asked to evacuate their homes and move to the north of the Zahrani River.

 

The Israeli army has begun calling up reservists to reinforce military operations beyond the ceasefire line in Lebanon, according to reports by the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

 

 

Also read: Israel claims to have attacked 1,750 targets and eliminated 660 militants in Lebanon since the start of the ceasefire

 

 

It was reported that the army demanded soldiers who have completed their service in recent days to immediately join the reserve forces.

 

This decision followed criticisms voiced by Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir during a cabinet meeting yesterday, in addition to complaints from senior officers that “the army’s hands are tied.” Army officers claimed that these forces do not have the freedom to operate beyond the “yellow line” in southern Lebanon due to U.S. pressure to pursue negotiations between the Israeli and Lebanese sides.

 

Eyal Zamir had called yesterday for “targeting buildings in Beirut in response to the threat posed by Hezbollah’s suicide drones.”

 

Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced that it had repelled an Israeli composite force advancing toward Eastern Zottar following airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling over the previous period, using missiles, artillery shells, assault drones, and direct engagement. The group added that at 8:45 a.m., a Merkava tank was destroyed using an Ababeel assault drone, noting that clashes are still ongoing.

 

 

Interactive map of villages and sites controlled by the Israeli army and separated from the yellow line in Southern Lebanon
Interactive map of villages and sites controlled by the Israeli army and separated from the yellow line in Southern Lebanon

 

 

For its part, Israeli Channel 15 reported that the army is advancing and carrying out incursions north of the yellow line in southern Lebanon in an effort to eliminate Hezbollah drones.

 

An airstrike targeted a center belonging to the Al-Risala Health Relief Association in the town of Srifa, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to several paramedics.

 

The airstrikes also targeted the towns of Yohmor El-Shaqif, Deir Qanun, Kafra, Haris, and others.

Tags
Israeli Army ، Beirut ، Hezbollah ، Nabatieh ، southern Lebanon ، Zahrani River ، Lebanon