IDF Says Entire South Lebanon 'Combat Zone,' Urges Residents to Evacuate
Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 12:11AM Earlier in the day, the IDF launched a wave of strikes on the Lebanese city of Tyre and its surroundings, two hours after telling the 200,000 residents of the city and neighboring refugee camps to evacuate
by Rwan Suleiman and Yaniv Kubovich 27 May 2026 Haaretz
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli strike near the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on Wednesday. Credit: Kawant Haju/AFP
The Israeli military on Wednesday declared the entirety of southern Lebanon a combat zone, telling residents it will "act with utmost force" against Hezbollah and urging locals to leave.
The IDF urged the residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate north of the Zahrani River, roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Lebanon's border with Israel. "All areas south of the river are considered combat zones," IDF Arabic-language Spokesman Avichay Adraee said.
Earlier on Wednesday, the IDF launched a wave of strikes on what it said are "Hezbollah command centers in the area of Tyre," two hours after issuing an evacuation order for the Lebanese coastal city's 200,000 residents.
"Evacuate your homes immediately and proceed north beyond the Zahrani River," Adraee said earlier in the day. "Be warned – any movement south of the Zahrani River may put your lives at risk."
The IDF's evacuation order for the entire coastal city of Tyre, southern Lebanon, Wednesday. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Earlier on Wednesday, the IDF said several attack drones had fallen inside Israeli territory near the border with Lebanon. The military added that the Air Force intercepted a drone identified in an area where Israeli troops were operating in southern Lebanon.
The last evacuation order issued to Tyre and its surroundings was issued on March 17, when Adraee called on residents to evacuate north of the Zahrani River. However, since the cease-fire with Hezbollah took effect, many have returned to their homes in the city.
The city of Tyre, on Wednesday. Credit: AFP/KAWNAT HAJU
On Tuesday, stricter restrictions on public gatherings imposed by the IDF came into effect in northern Israeli communities along the Lebanese border and in the Mount Meron area. The military later announced that it had struck Hezbollah infrastructure in the Bekaa Valley and other areas of southern Lebanon.
Shortly beforehand, the IDF issued an evacuation warning to residents of Nabatieh and several nearby villages, including Kfar Houneh and Aaramta.
Lebanese media reported that the IDF carried out strikes in several areas of southern Lebanon on Wednesday morning, and that two people were killed in attacks in Deir Qanoun an-Naher.
According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, 31 people, including four children and three women, were killed and 40 others wounded in Israeli airstrikes across the country overnight into Wednesday.
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