Israel Declares Southern Lebanon a “Combat Zone” as Ceasefire Collapses | WPN World People News

The conflict between Israel and Lebanon has not subsided despite the 45-day extension of the ceasefire agreement in mid-May. Hezbollah, which was not a party to the negotiations, does not consider itself bound by the agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of repeatedly violating the ceasefire by using drones to attack Israeli military positions and northern towns. Earlier this week, he ordered the military to “intensify its strikes,” leading to a full escalation of the Israel–Lebanon conflict. The ceasefire agreement has effectively collapsed.

On the 27th, the Israeli military announced that all areas south of Lebanon’s Zahrani River would be designated a “combat zone,” covering approximately 14% of Lebanese territory. Residents of around 300 towns and villages were ordered to evacuate immediately and move northward. The Israeli military warned that it would strike Hezbollah forces in the area with “overwhelming force” and urged civilians to stay away from Hezbollah facilities and weapons storage sites.

At the same time the evacuation order was issued, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched intensive bombardments across southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley. On the 26th alone, Israel reportedly carried out more than 120 airstrikes. Lebanon’s fourth-largest city, Sidon, the economic hub of Nabatieh, and the coastal city of Tyre all suffered devastating attacks.

Since March 2, the Israel–Lebanon conflict has resulted in more than 3,200 deaths and nearly 10,000 injuries, while over 1.2 million people have been displaced. Israel appears intent on establishing a long-term de facto “buffer zone” south of the Zahrani River and may even indefinitely occupy parts of the territory. Although Lebanese and Israeli military representatives are still expected to hold security talks at the Pentagon in Washington on the 29th, Hezbollah has explicitly rejected disarmament and stated that its retaliatory operations will continue unless Israel ends what it describes as aggression. Diplomatic efforts are facing a severe test of reality.