Israeli reserve soldiers are seen at a tank staging area near northern Israeli border with Lebanon, on Oct. 7, 2024. Israel's military has declared four additional towns near the Lebanon border as a "closed military zone," signaling a potential escalation in its ground operations. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)
JERUSALEM, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military has declared four additional towns near the Lebanon border as a "closed military zone," signaling a potential escalation in its ground operations.
In a statement, the military said the move followed "a situational assessment" and applies to the areas of Rosh HaNikra, Shlomi, Hanita, and Arab al-Aramshe. Starting at 22:00 local time (1900 GMT) on Monday, entry to these areas will be prohibited.
The announcement came after military spokesman Avichai Adraee called on Lebanese civilians to evacuate the coastal region between the Awali River, north of Sidon, and Rosh HaNikra, warning of imminent military action in the area.
Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has conducted intensive attacks on Lebanon in a dangerous escalation with Hezbollah. ■
An Israeli reserve soldier is seen at a tank staging area near northern Israeli border with Lebanon, on Oct. 7, 2024. Israel's military has declared four additional towns near the Lebanon border as a "closed military zone," signaling a potential escalation in its ground operations. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)
Israeli reserve soldiers are seen at a tank staging area near northern Israeli border with Lebanon, on Oct. 7, 2024. Israel's military has declared four additional towns near the Lebanon border as a "closed military zone," signaling a potential escalation in its ground operations. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)
Israeli reserve soldiers are seen at a tank staging area near northern Israeli border with Lebanon, on Oct. 7, 2024. Israel's military has declared four additional towns near the Lebanon border as a "closed military zone," signaling a potential escalation in its ground operations. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)
Israeli reserve soldiers are seen at a tank staging area near northern Israeli border with Lebanon, on Oct. 7, 2024. Israel's military has declared four additional towns near the Lebanon border as a "closed military zone," signaling a potential escalation in its ground operations. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)
An Israeli reserve soldier is silhouetted against sunshine at a tank staging area near northern Israeli border with Lebanon, on Oct. 7, 2024. Israel's military has declared four additional towns near the Lebanon border as a "closed military zone," signaling a potential escalation in its ground operations. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)
