Israeli military issues evacuation warnings for 21 more villages in southern Lebanon

 The Israeli military has expanded its evacuation warnings to residents of 21 more villages in southern Lebanon, urging them to move further north into the country.

People living in the villages close to the Israeli border have been warned to relocate north of the Awali River — about 31 miles (50 kilometers) north.

“Anyone found near elements of Hezbollah and its facilities and combat means exposes his life to danger,” said Avichay Adraee, the Israel Defense Forces’ Arabic spokesperson, reiterating the advice of previous IDF messages. “You must go immediately north of the Awali River to save your life and evacuate your homes immediately.”

The series of Israeli evacuation directives this week now affect at least 157 villages.

Overall, more than a quarter of Lebanon’s territory has been placed under evacuation orders by Israel.