IDF orders evacuation of south Lebanese villages
Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee -- the Israel Defense Forces' spokesperson for Arab media -- ordered residents of nearly two dozen villages to "immediately" evacuate their homes amid Israel's claimed ground campaign into southern Lebanon.
"The IDF does not want to harm you, and for your own safety you must evacuate your homes immediately," Adraee said in a statement posted to social media.
"Anyone who is near Hezbollah members, installations and combat equipment is putting his life in danger. Any home used by Hezbollah for its military needs is expected to be targeted."
Adraee ordered civilians to move north of the Awali River. "Be careful, you are not allowed to go south," he said. "Going south could put your life in danger. We will let you know when it is safe to return home."
-ABC News' Ghazi Balkiz