The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have issued a call for residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate as Israeli troops begin to make limited incursions into the south of the neighbouring country late on September 30.

The IDF's Arabic Spokesperson, Avichay Adraee—speaking Arabic—advised residents in the southern suburbs of Beirut to leave certain buildings and surrounding areas, citing the proximity to Hezbollah facilities as the reason.

“Urgent warning to the residents of the southern suburbs of Beirut. To all those present in the buildings specified in the specified maps and the buildings adjacent to them in the following neighbourhoods: Lilac, Haret Hreik, Burj Al-Barajneh,” he said

“You are located near interests and facilities belonging to the terrorist Hezbollah, and therefore the IDF will act against them forcefully,” Adraee said in the video on X.

Lebanese sources confirmed the Israeli military's artillery shelling on the southeast border cities of Khiam, Kfar Kila, Iran's Press TV reported late on September 30.

This Israeli evacuation call and the confirmation by the Iranians and Lebanese comes as Israeli ministers openly posted on social media prayers for the Israeli troops. 

According to Israel's Arutz Sheva, Israeli tanks crossed the border into Lebanon and have been observed near the village of Rmeish at around 10:00 p.m. CET. It comes after the ministers of Israel's political-security cabinet officially approved the next phase of the operation in Lebanon during their Monday night meeting, Israeli media reported.

 

The Lebanese army has withdrawn from a number of its southern positions, Reuters reported, citing the Lebanese government.

The IDF's strategic communication and ground manoeuvres said they were conducting a “limited ground incursion” earlier on September 30 as it continues to take out key Hezbollah positions on the northern side of its border with Lebanon.

Israeli i24 television channel reported that government was warning citizens not to spread the details of the incursion of Lebanon, a notice repeated by Daniel Hagari, the IDF English language spokesman.