THE ISRAEL DEFENCE Forces has told all residents of South Lebanon to evacuate from their homes as they are about to attack Hezbollah en masse. 

IDF spokesman Avichay Ardraee said on a post that residents should evacuate for their safety north of the Litani River. 

The Litani enters the Mediterranean sea is just south of the historic city of Tyre and is generally accepted as the entrance to South Lebanon. 

There are more than 300 Irish soldiers based at various locations in the South on UNIFIL peacekeeping operations near the cities of At Tiri and Bint Jbeil. It is understood that there has not been any extra Israeli troops in the Irish Area of Operations but there are fears that might change in the coming days.

Israel has been blitzing alleged Hezbollah positions across the region in recent days and have also moved ground troops into locations in the eastern sector of  the UNIFIL area.

This is a breach of a ceasefire agreement following the withdrawal of Israel back over the Blue Line which is an agreed demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel.  

The statement which was released in arabic was accompanied by a video in which the spokesman said: “For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately. Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, facilities, or combat means is endangering their life.

“Any home used by Hezbollah for military purposes may be subject to targeting. To the residents of southern Lebanon, you must head immediately north of the Litani River. To ensure your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move north beyond the Litani River.

“Attention: Any movement southward may put your lives at risk.”

#عاجل ‼️تحذير عاجل إلى سكان جنوب لبنان
🔸إنّ أنشطة حزب الله الإرهابي تُجبر جيش الدفاع على العمل ضده بالقوة. جيش الدفاع لا ينوي إلحاق الأذى بكم.
🔸حرصًا على سلامتكم، عليكم إخلاء منازلكم فورًا. كل من يتواجد بالقرب من عناصر حزب الله أو منشآته أو وسائله القتالية يعرّض حياته للخطر.… pic.twitter.com/4yVqByIonw

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) March 4, 2026

Sources in South Lebanon said that many people had begun moving north towards Beirut in recent days but today’s warning had increased movement even further. 

The Journal has confirmed that Israel has been bombing targets in the coastal city of Sidon or Saida – it is near Tyre. A refugee camp near the city has been a launch site for rockets in the past. 

Targets have also been hit across the south, particularly near Nabatieh which is inland from Sidon and Tyre. The  IDF has this morning gone further into south Lebanon and headed towards the town of Khiam in the east of the UNIFIL area of responsibility. 

Sources have said that there has been largescale Hezbollah activity in that area and is known as a stronghold. 

The IDF also struck a hotel in Hazmieh, which is in a Christian suburb of Beirut. it also struck targets in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahiyeh.

Israel is justifying its activities by saying it is responding to Hezbollah activity. The militant group has carried out a series of strikes against Israel over the last 48 hours. They have said on social media that they struck targets at a naval base in the Israeli city of Haifa. They have also claimed they struck a defence company in central Israel.

Since Monday, Israeli strikes have killed at least 50 people and wounded 335 in Lebanon, the health ministry said before the overnight strikes, which killed at least 11 more people.

There have also been strikes across Beirut’s other suburbs and in the towns of Aramoun and Saadiyat located south of Beirut.

There was an air raid in the city of Baalbek, in Lebanon’s east. That is in the mountains visible from Beirut

Lebanese authorities on Monday recorded the displacement of more than 58,000 people from areas targeted by strikes.

The Israeli military has said it will continue to strike Hezbollah until the Lebanese group disarms.

Barry Andrews, MEP, has said that the Irish troops are now in “clear danger”.

“The IDF seems out of control, now demanding that all Lebanese residents leave the area or risk their lives. The Israeli government must ensure the safety of all UN troops in south Lebanon.

“The EU must hold Israel accountable for any threats to their safety. All sides must adhere to UN resolution 1701 and deescalate immediately,” he said.  

With reporting from AFP.