Israeli Troops Order Residents To Empty 25 Villages In South Lebanon, Expand Land Attacks

ILLUSTRATION/Lebanese Citizens Cross into Syria/DOK UNICEF

JAKARTA - The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued an order to vacate 25 additional villages in southern Lebanon, signaling the expansion of ground attacks in the country.

A total of 76 villages in southern Lebanon have now received IDF emptying notices since Tuesday, October 1.

IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee released the names of 25 new villages on Thursday, October 3, which are located in an area that now extends to Lebanon, reaching up to 45 kilometers in the country.

For your safety, you must immediately flee your home and move north of the Awali River. Save your life," Adraee said.

On Wednesday, the IDF announced the delivery of additional divisions to participate in the land war in Lebanon, after reaffirming the invasion was limited, localized, and targeted.

Meanwhile, the death toll from Israeli airstrikes in downtown Beirut in the early hours of Thursday has risen to nine, the Lebanese health ministry said.

The attack took place in Bashoura's neighborhood, near the city center.

In addition, 14 people were injured. DNA tests are being carried out to determine the identities of several bodies.

Of the nine people who died, seven of them were medical officers who worked for the Islamic Health Authority affiliated with Hezbollah.