Israeli forces strike southern Lebanon following evacuation order

Residents of Mansouri had been urged to evacuate after the military designated the area part of a self-declared buffer zone. While flyers were distributed in late June, many local farmers continued to access their homes and fields despite the proximity of Israeli forces. The escalation follows a June 26 agreement brokered by the United States, intended to stabilize the border region. Although both nations signaled a willingness to de-escalate, Israel maintains that a security zone is necessary to neutralize threats posed by Hezbollah. The latest military action occurs just one day after U.S.-facilitated talks concluded in Rome, highlighting the fragility of current security arrangements along the border.