By Middle East correspondent Matthew Doran in JerusalemThu 28 May 2026 at 4:41amThu 28 May 2026 at 4:41amIsrael has been intensifying its strikes in southern Lebanon in recent days. (Reuters: Rami Shlush)In short:Israel has told all residents in southern Lebanon they should evacuate north because of fighting with Hezbollah.It is the first time Israel has taken such a step since a ceasefire came into effect in Lebanon.Israel has in recent days intensified strikes on Hezbollah targets within Lebanon.The Israeli military has told all residents of southern Lebanon to leave the area, declaring the entire region a "combat zone" as it targets militant group Hezbollah.It is the first time Israel has made such a sweeping demand since US President Donald Trump announced in April a ceasefire had been imposed in Lebanon.In a post on social media, the IDF's Arabic spokesman told Lebanese residents to evacuate north of the Zahrani River.The Lebanese community views those so-called 'evacuation warnings' as forced displacement orders, and there are hundreds of thousands of people who live in the area.In recent days, the Israeli military has intensified strikes on cities and towns in southern Lebanon, as Hezbollah launched explosive drone attacks against Israeli soldiers and communities in the north of the country.Some analysts have suggested Israel is also trying to pressure Donald Trump to carve Lebanon out of any deal with Iran to end the broader regional war, as Tehran demands the conflict to Israel's north be included in any formal end to fighting.Strikes were seen being conducted across parts of Lebanon on Wednesday. (Reuters)Israeli media has been reporting deep concerns within Benjamin Netanyahu's government and the country's military that the US may force it to stop launching strikes in Lebanon.The chief of the IDF reportedly urging the prime minister and the security cabinet to authorise strikes on Beirut to send Hezbollah a message.Lebanese health authorities say more than 3,200 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since early March, when the latest conflict escalated.Hundreds of those are women and children.Hezbollah opened fire on Israel in solidarity with Tehran, days after Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu authorised strikes on Iran.The Israeli and Lebanese governments have been engaged in peace talks since April, but those negotiations have not included Hezbollah.