The Israeli military issued urgent warnings after reporting renewed rocket fire and militant activity near the border. Shortly afterward, airstrikes and artillery fire were reported across several areas in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks targeting Israeli military positions.
The evacuation warning marked another major escalation in months of cross-border violence that has already displaced thousands of civilians on both sides of the frontier.
Witnesses in Lebanon described families rushing to leave neighborhoods following the Israeli warning, while emergency crews monitored areas hit during the latest exchange of fire.
Israeli officials said the operation was aimed at preventing further attacks on northern Israeli communities. Hezbollah, meanwhile, accused Israel of expanding military aggression and vowed continued retaliation.
The latest confrontation comes amid broader instability across the Middle East, including ongoing tensions involving Gaza, Iran and regional armed groups backed by Tehran.
International officials have repeatedly warned that a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah could trigger a humanitarian crisis and destabilize the wider region.
Global markets are also closely watching the situation because of concerns that escalating conflict could affect regional shipping routes, energy infrastructure and oil prices.
Military analysts say the situation remains highly volatile, with fears growing that further retaliation from either side could rapidly push the region toward a broader conflict.