JERUSALEM — Israel's military has warned Lebanese civilians against returning to dozens of villages in southern Lebanon as fighting with Hezbollah continues despite partial ceasefire efforts, officials said on Thursday.
The Israel Defense Forces issued the warning amid reports of ongoing clashes in the border region, according to statements from both sides. Israeli officials have linked the restrictions to security needs in areas where troops remain deployed.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said operations would continue until Hezbollah no longer posed a threat to northern Israeli communities, and ruled out the return of displaced Lebanese residents to their homes in the south until that condition was met.
"Such operations would continue until Hezbollah no longer posed a threat," Katz was reported as saying.
The warnings cover areas south of the Litani River and specific villages where Israeli forces maintain positions, the military said. Residents were urged to stay north of certain lines for their safety.
The developments come more than three months after the escalation of hostilities in early March 2026, triggered by exchanges following regional events involving Iran. Israeli ground operations began in mid-March in parts of southern Lebanon.
Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah have reported continued Israeli activity, including strikes and violations of ceasefire understandings. Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for some attacks on Israeli positions in response.
Casualty figures remain disputed. Lebanese health authorities have reported thousands killed in Lebanon since March, while Israeli officials have cited military losses and civilian impacts from rocket fire.
Efforts to de-escalate, including U.S.-brokered talks and temporary cessations of hostilities, have faced challenges. Recent announcements of partial agreements have not fully halted exchanges along the border.
The conflict has displaced more than one million people in Lebanon, according to United Nations and Lebanese government figures from earlier updates. Many displaced residents have sought to return to southern areas as fighting appeared to ease at times, prompting repeated Israeli warnings.
The Lebanese government and Hezbollah have called for Israeli withdrawal from occupied positions in the south. Israel has stated that its presence is necessary to prevent threats and has published maps indicating zones under its operational control.
As of Thursday, details on the latest ceasefire negotiations remained unclear, with both sides accusing the other of violations. The Israeli military did not provide immediate further comment on specific incidents reported in the past 24 hours.
The situation along the Israel-Lebanon border continues to be monitored closely by international actors, with calls for restraint from multiple parties.
