Israel issues evacuation order for swathes of southern Lebanon
Israel's military issued a sweeping evacuation order for swathes of southern Lebanon, declaring areas south of the Zahrani River as 'combat zones' and warning of 'fresh strikes' against Hezbollah infrastructure. Lebanese officials called the move 'disproportionate'. UNIFIL coordination talks are continuing.
Reporting from Beirut for BBC Middle East, correspondent Hugo Bachega said the IDF spokesperson, Avichai Adraee, declared an area covering Nabatieh, Tyre, Bint Jbeil and roughly 40 villages of southern Lebanon as 'an active combat zone'. The statement asked civilians in the area 'to move north beyond the Zahrani River'. The IDF also said 'fresh strikes were planned' against what it described as Hezbollah weapons depots, launch platforms and tunnel entrances.
Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said 14 civilians, including three children, had been killed in air strikes in the past 24 hours; the figures remain open to independent verification. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called the order 'disproportionate' and sent a request for an urgent UN Security Council meeting. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said UN observers were keeping coordination channels open with Israel for evacuation corridors.
At the international level, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas wrote that 'the ceasefire must remain protected'; US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce called for 'all parties to act in proportion'. BBC presented those statements with equal weight to the parties. Over the next 48 hours, compliance with the evacuation order and the outcome of an Israeli Security Cabinet meeting are likely to be decisive.
More from Middle East
US returns UN Palestinian rights expert Francesca Albanese to sanctions list
The US Treasury has added UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian Human Rights Francesca Albanese back to its sanctions list. The Trump administration said the decision is intended to 'support accountability in international institutions'. The UN and the EU pushed back. Al Jazeera presented the parties' positions with equal weight.
Palestinian President Abbas casts vote in decisive Fatah elections
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cast his vote in internal Fatah elections that will reshape the movement's leadership structure. The ballot will set the agenda for governance priorities and succession planning in the post-Gaza war period.
Saudi Arabia gives Yemen $150 million in emergency fuel support
Saudi Arabia has decided to provide Yemen's government with $150 million in 'emergency fuel support' to keep power plants running, according to Anadolu Agency. The step aims to ease strains on the country's energy and public-service infrastructure.