Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), delivered a direct message to Lebanese civilians, particularly those in villages near the border, cautioning them about Hezbollah’s use of civilian homes to store weaponry. Hagari urged residents to evacuate areas where Hezbollah has hidden weapons, warning that the IDF is planning to strike these locations in the near future.
Key Points from Rear Adm. Hagari’s Statement:
- Warning to Civilians: Hagari emphasized the importance of civilians distancing themselves from Hezbollah-affiliated properties or homes used to store weapons. He made it clear that the IDF would strike these terror targets to neutralize Hezbollah’s military capabilities and urged civilians to protect themselves by staying away from such sites.
- Hezbollah’s Dangerous Tactics: Hagari accused Hezbollah of deliberately endangering Lebanese civilians by using their homes as storage for weapons and launching sites. He showed previously unreleased footage of Hezbollah operatives preparing to launch a cruise missile from within a civilian home in southern Lebanon. This particular building was subsequently destroyed in an Israeli airstrike.
- Call for Immediate Evacuation: He reiterated that Hezbollah’s actions put Lebanese civilians and their families at great risk, noting that Hezbollah was planning to launch attacks toward Israel from these civilian-populated areas.
- Ongoing Strikes: The ongoing strikes by the IDF in Lebanon are a direct response to Hezbollah’s preparations for launching rocket attacks against Israel. The Israeli military has conducted widespread operations aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure and “removing the threats.”
This message marks a significant escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and highlights the IDF’s efforts to avoid civilian casualties by issuing advance warnings. However, the growing intensity of the strikes suggests that the situation could continue to escalate in the coming days.