Israel is evacuating people from more than two dozen communities along the Lebanese border following hostilities with Iran-backed Hezbollah forces that erupted amid the growing war in the Gaza Strip.
On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces and the National Emergency Management Authority jointly issued a plan to send residents from 28 villages within one mile of the border with Lebanon to state-funded guest houses in the interior of Israel.
“The plan will be implemented by the heads of the local municipalities, the Ministry of Interior, and the National Emergency Management Authority of the Ministry of Defense,” Israeli authorities said Monday in a statement.
Lebanese Hezbollah fighters and IDF units in northern Israel have exchanged sporadic artillery and rocket fire over the past week amid fears that ongoing battles with Hamas terrorists in Gaza could escalate into a broader war.
On Sunday, U.N. peacekeepers observed what they called “intense exchanges of fire” in several areas along the Blue Line between Lebanese territory and Israel.
“Our headquarters in Naqoura was hit with a rocket and we are working to verify from where,” the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said in a statement. “Our peacekeepers were not in shelters at the time. Fortunately, no one was hurt.”
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UNIFIL said it is “actively engaging” with forces on both sides of the Blue Line to ease tensions along the border but “regrettably” military escalation continues.
“We urge all the parties involved to cease fire and allow us, as peacekeepers, to help find solutions. No one wants to see more people hurt or killed,” UNIFIL said.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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