Israel strikes southern Lebanon after ordering evacuations of nine villages Israel has ordered the forced evacuation of nine villages in southern Lebanon, carrying out airstrikes that killed six people. This action follows Hezbollah’s rejection of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement. Thousands of families have fled their homes, seeking shelter in larger cities as Israeli troops advance further into Lebanese territory.

• Israel issued forced evacuation orders for nine villages in southern Lebanon before carrying out airstrikes.
• Thousands of residents fled their homes, with roads to Sidon choked with fleeing families.
• Hezbollah rejected a US-brokered ceasefire agreement, calling it tantamount to surrender.
• The Israeli military conducted airstrikes and artillery bombardments in various areas of south Lebanon.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered troops to deepen their invasion after capturing Beaufort Castle.
• Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated Lebanon cannot be a battleground for others.
• Hezbollah has not been a direct party to negotiations, with positions conveyed through Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
• Berri stated Hezbollah would withdraw from south of the Litani River only if Israeli troops withdrew and a ceasefire was unconditional.
• Israel currently occupies over 608 sq km of Lebanese territory.
• Israeli forces withdrew from the town of Dibbin, with Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers entering the town afterward.
• US President Donald Trump is invested in the negotiations, as Iran has linked Lebanon’s ceasefire success to its own talks with Washington.
• Netanyahu stated he would not seek government approval for the ceasefire proposal unless Hezbollah agreed to its terms.
• Fighting began on March 2nd after Hezbollah rockets targeted Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader.