Israel’s armed forces have announced new evacuation directives for residents of several towns and villages in southern Lebanon, including locations outside the areas currently held by Israeli troops, despite an existing truce intended to pause hostilities with Hezbollah.

In a statement posted Sunday on social media, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, urged civilians to leave immediately. “For your safety, you must evacuate your homes at once and move at least 1,000 metres [0.6 miles] away from the villages and towns into open areas,” the message read.

Recommended Stories

The directive applies to more than 10 communities, including several in the Nabatieh district located north of the Litani River. Israeli forces remain deployed south of the river.

Lebanon’s official National News Agency subsequently reported multiple Israeli air raids across southern parts of the country, including strikes on towns that were not listed in the evacuation notice.

A ceasefire mediated by the United States has technically been in effect since April 17, aiming to curb the confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah.

Earlier in the week, Israel’s Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, warned that military action could extend “beyond the Yellow Line,” a boundary marking the zone under Israeli control.

“Any threat, anywhere, directed at our communities or our forces – including beyond the Yellow Line and north of the Litani – will be dealt with,” Zamir said while visiting troops stationed in the area.

Over the past week, two Israeli soldiers and a civilian contractor working with the army were killed in drone strikes, and dozens of other soldiers sustained injuries.

The United States has encouraged Lebanon and Israel to move toward direct peace negotiations. However, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated on Wednesday that Israel must first fully adhere to the ceasefire terms before any talks can proceed.

Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands described the truce, initially set to last until mid-May, as largely ineffective.

“In the south, Israel continues to keep five divisions of its forces deployed, carrying out extensive air strikes and demolitions,” he said.

He added that the latest evacuation orders are notable because three of the targeted towns received such warnings for the first time, and some lie north of the Litani River. While similar measures have occurred before, he said the pattern suggests that Israel’s operational reach is broadening.

According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, at least 10 people were killed in Israeli strikes across the country on Saturday. Since the escalation of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2, the ministry reports that 2,659 people have been killed and 8,183 wounded.