A source from the Lebanese army informed Agency France-Presse (AFP) that Lebanese forces are repositioning near the southern border following the U.S. announcement of “limited operations” conducted by Israeli forces within Lebanese territory.
The source, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated, “Lebanese army forces are regrouping and repositioning in parts of southern Lebanon near the Israeli border.” This movement comes as tensions in the area have escalated due to ongoing military actions.
A Lebanese security source confirmed to Reuters that the army has withdrawn from positions along the southern border with Israel, retreating about 5 kilometers northward.
In an interview with Reuters, Amal Hourani, the mayor of Jezzine Marjeyoun, a predominantly Christian village located less than 10 kilometers from the border, mentioned that two local residents had received calls, seemingly from the Israeli army, instructing them to evacuate the area as soon as possible.
The Israeli military has declared the areas surrounding the Israeli towns of Metula, Misgav Am, and Kfar Giladi, near the border with Lebanon, as closed military zones, prohibiting entry into these regions.
The official Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported continuous artillery shelling targeting the Lebanese towns of Al-Wazzani, Marjayoun, and Khiam, located near the southern border, which has lasted for more than two hours.
What’s happening?
Southern and eastern areas of Lebanon, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, have been subjected to intense and unprecedented Israeli shelling since Monday, marking a significant escalation in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel that began about a year ago.
According to Lebanese authorities, over 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon since the escalation between Hezbollah and Israel intensified in mid-September.
