Israel Drops Evacuation Leaflets Over Southern Lebanon Amid Fragile Ceasefire

BEIRUT — Israeli forces dropped evacuation leaflets over the southern Lebanese town of Mansouri, ordering residents to leave the area, in the first such warning issued since a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement came into effect earlier this week.

Lebanese state media reported that the leaflets were distributed on Friday over Mansouri, a town near the Israeli-controlled security zone in southern Lebanon. A senior Lebanese military official said Israel had recently incorporated the area into its occupation zone, although farmers had continued to access the town despite not residing there permanently.

The Israeli military later said it had killed seven Hezbollah militants who were allegedly transporting weapons near the security zone. In a statement, the military said it would continue operations to eliminate threats along the border.

The incident comes despite a ceasefire that has largely halted hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah as part of broader regional efforts to reduce tensions following months of conflict involving Iran and its allies. However, sporadic military actions have continued, underscoring the fragility of the truce.

At the same time, Israeli and Lebanese officials signed a U.S.-mediated framework agreement in Washington aimed at laying the groundwork for a longer-term settlement. The agreement envisions the gradual transfer of parts of southern Lebanon from Israeli military control to the Lebanese Armed Forces through designated “pilot zones,” while discussions continue over Hezbollah’s future role and the eventual withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, significant obstacles remain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, while Hezbollah has rejected calls to surrender its weapons, raising doubts about the prospects for a lasting peace.