Israel expands military targets along Lebanese coastline, warns residents amid intensified fighting

The Israeli military has issued a warning to those near the Lebanese coastline, from the Awali River southwards. This river is approximately 30km (19 miles) from Beirut along the country’s coastline. Intense fighting is ongoing in the town of Naqoura, in southwestern Lebanon, and this marks the first warning from the Israeli military for the coastline. As a result, a third of the Lebanese coastline is now off-limits to residents, although where they should relocate remains unclear. The Israeli military is expanding its operations, targeting Hezbollah interests along the coast, and has launched an air campaign against what it claims are Hezbollah targets across Lebanon. In addition, another division of Israeli forces has been deployed, signalling an increased military presence on the ground.

Al Jazeera’s Dorsa Jabbari reports from Beirut.

Elijah Magnier is a military and security analyst. He joins us here in the studio to discuss the latest developments.