Israel to Evacuate Residents Living Close to Lebanese Border

Jerusalem, 16 October, 2023 (TPS) -- Israeli authorities announced on Monday plans to evacuate residents of 28 northern Israel communities within two kilometers of the Lebanese border.

The National Emergency Authority (EIA) in the Ministry of Defense and the Israel Defense Forces said residents will be evacuated to state-subsidized guest houses.

The 28 localities included in the plan are: Reger, Dishon, Kfar Yuval, Margaliot, Metula, Avivim, Dobb, Ma’ayan Baruch, Baram, Manara, Yiftah, Malkiah, Meshgav Am, Yaraon, Dafna, Arab al Aramsha, Shlomi, Natua, Ya’ara , Shtula, Matat, Zerait, Shumera, Batzat, Adamit, Rosh Hanikra, Kfar Giladi and Hanita.

On Sunday, one person was killed and three wounded on Sunday by an anti-tank missile strike on the northern Israeli town of Shtula that was claimed by the Hezbollah terror group.

There were several instances of anti-tank fire from Lebanon at IDF troops near the border.

According to unconfirmed Israeli media reports, the US, fearing a wider escalation of the war in Gaza, asked Israel not pre-emptively attack Hezbollah. In return, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reportedly told Israeli leaders that in the event Hezbollah attacks, American aircraft would strike Hezbollah

The US aircraft carrier Gerald Ford has already arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean and a second carrier, the Dwight Eisenhower is on its way.