IDF orders mass evacuation of south Lebanon — entire 25-mile zone from border to river as airstrikes intensify

The IDF issued a mass evacuation order to residents across south Lebanon on Tuesday, covering a zone from the Israeli-Lebanese border stretching approximately 25 miles north to a river — consistent with the Litani River. The IDF stated it was conducting airstrikes against Hezbollah in the area. The scale of the evacuation order — covering the entire southern Lebanese population zone below the Litani — indicates a major expansion of IDF operations beyond the existing buffer zone established in the opening days of the conflict. Netanyahu had announced a 'widening of the buffer zone' on March 30 and IDF Chief Zamir had visited south Lebanon on March 27 announcing 'additional significant plans.' The same morning, the IDF confirmed four soldiers killed in south Lebanon combat (same battalion) — indicating heavy ground contact. The evacuation order mirrors the pre-ground-assault pattern used in Gaza in 2023. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported 1,230+ Lebanese killed since the Israel-Lebanon fighting began March 2, with 3,543 wounded.