Israel declares Lebanon combat zone, orders evacuation
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- Israeli military declared the area south of the Zahrani River in southern Lebanon a combat zone and posted an evacuation order on X urging residents to move north of the river.
- Israeli forces carried out more than 120 strikes on Tuesday, expanding attacks beyond the previously set “yellow line” despite the U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced on April 16.
- Benjamin Netanyahu said further action in Lebanon was needed to protect northern Israeli communities from Hezbollah.
- Lebanese security sources reported that civilians are fleeing north to the port city of Sidon, where thousands of displaced people are already sheltering.
- World Health Organization estimates at least 608 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the April 16 truce, while Lebanon's health ministry puts the death toll at over 3,200 since March 2.
- Israeli military said ten of its soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire, six of them by Hezbollah explosive drones.
- Three senior Israeli officials indicated that Israel wants to avoid jeopardizing a potential U.S. President Donald Trump's deal with Iran by expanding operations in Beirut.
Why it matters: The new combat‑zone order forces thousands of Lebanese civilians to flee, worsening the already massive displacement of 1.2 million people. It also shows Israel’s readiness to deepen the conflict despite the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, risking further civilian casualties and complicating Washington’s diplomatic push for an Iran deal.
