Israel to Evacuate Thousands as Cross-Border Clashes Continue
JERUSALEM, October 20: – Israel has announced plans to evacuate over 20,000 residents from Kiryat Shmona, a major town on its northern border with Lebanon, following a recent exchange of fire in the area. This move comes in the wake of ongoing clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border, triggered in part by the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza over the past two weeks.
The Israeli military had already designated some areas along the border as closed military zones, requiring residents to leave. However, the evacuation of Kiryat Shmona marks the largest displacement of people from the eastern Galilee region’s lush hills.
Tensions escalated when a journalist was reportedly killed by Israeli gunfire in an area near Kiryat Shmona during an intense exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group. In response, Hezbollah issued a statement vowing not to let such incidents go unanswered.
Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), stated that evacuations, which have occurred in other towns on the northern border, are intended to enhance the IDF’s operational flexibility in dealing with Hezbollah.
The ongoing violence along the Israel-Lebanon border has raised concerns that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could expand into a broader regional conflict. The Israeli military reported that one of its drones struck a target in Lebanese territory and targeted Hezbollah assets in response to rocket fire from Lebanon.
The evacuees from Kiryat Shmona will be accommodated in state-subsidized guesthouses, according to Israel’s Defense Ministry, joining the tens of thousands of Israelis who have already left their homes near the southern Gaza border due to the conflict.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has expressed concern about the safety of journalists, reporting over 20 journalists killed since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict. It is also investigating reports of other journalists being killed, injured, or missing. A recent incident on the Israel-Lebanon border resulted in the death of Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, with Lebanon’s army blaming Israel, and Israel’s military pledging to review the case. Reuters has called on Israel to conduct a “thorough, swift, and transparent investigation” into the matter.
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