U.S. fires on 2 Iran-flagged tankers as Rubio says U.S. expects response on peace deal today
The Israeli army on Friday asked residents of seven villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes.
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an “urgent warning” to residents of Al-Namriyah, Tayr Filisiya, Hallusiyah, Upper Hallusiyah, Turah, Marakah and Al-Abbayiyya, saying that if they did not leave, their lives would be in danger.
Adraee, who has issued similar evacuation orders almost daily since Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging fire two days after the start of the Iran war, said the IDF was “obligated” to act against Hezbollah in light of the group’s “violation of the ceasefire agreement” under the US umbrella.
This truce was signed between the Israeli and Lebanese governments. Hezbollah was not part of it and quickly accused Israel of violating the deal and said it was launching attacks in response. This exchange of fire, with Hezbollah and Israel accusing the other side of violating the ceasefire, has continued since the truce came into force.
Hezbollah said Friday it attacked an Israeli military bulldozer, a tank and troops.
The Israeli military acknowledged several Hezbollah strikes against its forces and said one soldier was seriously injured and two others moderately injured.
The Lebanese Health Ministry said earlier this week that the death toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 stood at more than 2,700 people. More than a million people have been displaced from their homes by the fighting.
In Israel, more than 40 people have been killed by Iranian and Hezbollah attacks since the United States and Israel launched their joint war with Iran on February 28.
