The Israeli authorities announced this Monday a plan to evacuate civilians in towns located up to two kilometers from the border with Lebanon, following the latest clashes with the Lebanese Shiite militia party Hezbollah and concerns about the possibility that The group joins the open conflict between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).
The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), dependent on the Ministry of Defense, and the Israeli Army have indicated that the residents of this area will be moved to accommodation financed by the authorities, following the approval of the plan by the head of the portfolio, Yoav Gallant.
Thus, they have highlighted in a joint statement published through the social network Lebanon.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is deployed in that area, currently commanded by Spain, and is on alert in case the conflict also moves to this area.
Warning to Hezbollah
After the announcement, Daniel Hagari, one of the spokespersons for the Israeli Army, has warned Hezbollah that it will face a “deadly” response if it continues carrying out attacks on the border, as reported by the newspaper The Times of Israel.
“If Hezbollah dares to test us, the reaction will be deadly. The United States gives us all its support,” explained Hagari, who explained that the evacuations seek to prevent civilians from suffering harm.. “We have increased our forces on the northern border and we respond aggressively to any activity against us,” he said.
“Hezbollah carried out several attacks yesterday to try to divert our operational efforts (from the Gaza Strip), under the instructions and with the support of Iran, while endangering the State of Lebanon and its citizens,” he concluded.
In recent days, several incidents have been reported on the border between Israel and Lebanon, including new clashes during the day on Sunday.. In the context of these, a projectile hit the UNIFIL headquarters, without the mission having yet ruled on the origin of the shot.
The Lebanese group denounced last week “murders, crimes and horrible massacres” committed in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli Army and held the United States responsible for these events because it is “a partner” of Israel.. “Our nation and the resistance factions are prepared for confrontation until final victory and total liberation are achieved,” Hezbollah said.