By Asaye Bankole

Israel’s military carried out strikes on what it said were Hezbollah and Hamas targets in Lebanon after issuing evacuation orders for four villages in the country’s eastern and southern regions.

Earlier, an Israeli army spokesperson said air strikes were being planned against Hezbollah and Hamas “military infrastructure” in the villages of Hammara and Ain el-Tineh in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, as well as Kfar Hatta and Aanan in southern Lebanon.

An AFP photographer in Kfar Hatta witnessed dozens of families fleeing the village after an Israeli warning, amid drone activity in the area. Ambulances and fire engines were placed on standby.

Israel and Lebanon agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire in 2024, ending more than a year of intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. However, Israel has repeatedly violated the truce through bombardments and continues to occupy five areas in Lebanon.

Lebanon has come under increasing pressure from the United States and Israel to disarm Hezbollah, with its leaders fearing that Israel could escalate its strikes.

The Lebanese army was expected to complete the disarmament south of the Litani River about 30km (12 miles) from the Israeli border by the end of 2025. On Sunday, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, described the disarmament efforts as “far from sufficient.”

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