Israel declares new swathe of Lebanon 'a combat zone,' warns residents to leave

Israel's military on Wednesday declared a new swathe of southern Lebanon as a combat zone and said residents in the area should move north, warning it would act "with great force" against Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in the zone.



The military's statement, posted on X, appeared to signal further escalation after more than 120 strikes on Tuesday hit Lebanon's south and east, despite a ceasefire announced on April 16.



"We advise residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate to the north of the Zahrani River, as all areas south of the river are considered a combat zone," an Israeli military spokesperson posted on X.



The Zahrani River runs east to west about 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Israel's border with Lebanon, and the Lebanese territory south of it covers about 2,000 square kilometres.