Israel Keeps Troops in South Lebanon Amid Renewed Ceasefire and Evacuation Orders

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued evacuation warnings for three villages in southern Lebanon—Arnoun, Anqoun and Kfar Fila—after Hezbollah violated a U.S.-mediated ceasefire and killed a young Israeli officer, Captain Eitan Shmuel Lamberg. Residents were told to stay at least one kilometre away from the targeted zones while Israeli air and artillery strikes hit Hezbollah infrastructure.

Despite the renewed fire‑pause, Israel’s defence minister announced that its troops will remain in the occupied buffer zone in south Lebanon. The army warned displaced residents not to return, stating that any movement into the area could be life‑threatening. The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, calls for Hezbollah fighters to pull back south of the Litani River, but the group has not publicly responded. Israeli officials say they reserve the right, with U.S. support, to act in Beirut if attacks on Israeli territory continue.