Hezbollah Orders Kiryat Shmona Residents to Evacuate — Signals Imminent Strike

Hezbollah issued an evacuation order to residents of Kiryat Shmona, a northern Israeli city located close to the Lebanese border, instructing them to evacuate their homes immediately and head south. The group did not specify what military action it planned to take following the warning. Kiryat Shmona has a population of approximately 25,000 and sits approximately 3km from the Lebanese border — within range of Hezbollah's short to medium-range rocket arsenal. Hezbollah issuing a civilian evacuation warning — rather than simply firing — is an unusual move that mirrors Israeli practice and is designed to demonstrate the group operates within the laws of armed conflict while also maximising psychological impact. Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz responded by warning Lebanon that Israel would not allow attacks on its troops or communities from Lebanese territory. In a message directed at Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Katz said: If the choice becomes protecting our civilians and the safety of our soldiers or Lebanon, we will choose to defend our civilians and our soldiers, and the government of Lebanon and Lebanon will pay a very heavy price. IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee simultaneously renewed calls for all residents south of the Litani river to evacuate immediately, saying IDF is operating with great force in the area.