Israeli military warns displaced southern Lebanese not to return home

“To all residents of Lebanese villages who have been forced to evacuate their homes for their own safety, due to the presence of weapons or Hezbollah elements, the IDF’s attacks continue. For your safety, do not return to your homes until further notice,” IDF Arabic spokesman Avichay Adraee wrote on social media X.

Residents of villages in southern Lebanon began evacuating on September 23, after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warned residents to leave areas where Hezbollah operates.

Lebanon's foreign minister said an estimated half a million people had been displaced on September 24, a day after Israeli air strikes killed more than 500 people across the country.

“Even before the latest escalation, more than 100,000 people were displaced from southern Lebanon and UNHCR was already intervening to assist them. That was more than a month ago,” said Matthew Saltmarsh.

Last week, Israel’s security cabinet updated its official goals for the conflict with Hamas in Gaza, including the safe return of northern residents displaced by Hezbollah attacks by October 2023.