Lebanon latest: mass evacuations as Israel expands attacks

Al Jazeera correspondent Obaida Hitto, reporting from southern Lebanon, said Israel has expanded the area of attacks in recent hours and that mass evacuations are taking place. Hitto described families evacuated from villages around Saida, Tyre and Nabatieh moving to shelter points on the coastal road, with operations intensifying during the holiday period significantly increasing civilian needs.

Lebanon's Health Minister Firass Abiad said the documented death toll over the past 48 hours stands at 28, including women and children. The spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated the official position that operations are targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and rocket-launch points; however, independent verification of ground testimonies and footage is being hampered by access constraints.

International reaction has grown: EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said she will raise the matter at Sunday's extraordinary council, and UN OCHA called for rapid coordination on a humanitarian-corridor mechanism. Turkey's Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks in Lebanon and called for an emergency session at the UN Security Council to apply diplomatic pressure. This article relays Al Jazeera field reporting and publicly available data; it does not constitute political advice.