Israel Orders Evacuations in 16 Lebanon Towns
Israel's military told people to leave 16 towns in southern Lebanon on Monday. Israel said the group Hezbollah broke a ceasefire agreement.
People were told to move toward the Sidon area on the coast. The area south of the Litani River already had an evacuation warning before Monday.
Israeli strikes on Monday killed 4 people and wounded 51 others. Three of the wounded were children.
Both sides blame each other for breaking the ceasefire. Israel says Hezbollah used drones and rockets against its troops.
Hezbollah says it acted in response to Israeli violations. A ceasefire began on April 17.
Israeli and Hezbollah strikes have continued since then. At least 40 people in Lebanon have been killed since the ceasefire began.
President Trump said on April 23 that the ceasefire was extended by three weeks to mid-May. The broader conflict started after Hezbollah launched missiles at Israel on March 2.
That attack followed US and Israeli bombing of Iran in late February. Since March 2 Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,521 people in Lebanon.
Key Terms 4
- Hezbollah An armed Lebanese group that has fought against Israel for decades
- ceasefire An agreement to stop fighting between two sides
- Litani River A river in southern Lebanon used as a key military boundary
- evacuation An order for people to leave an area for their safety