The Israel Defense Forces carried out heavy airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on February 2, 2026, following a public evacuation warning issued to civilians by the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee. The warning instructed residents of the villages of Kfar Tebnit and Ain Qana to immediately leave buildings marked in red on distributed satellite maps and move at least 300 meters away, as Israeli forces prepared to strike Hezbollah military infrastructure embedded in the area.

Shortly after the warning, real-time footage from the region showed multiple explosions and thick smoke plumes rising from within and around residential neighborhoods, set against the hilly terrain of southern Lebanon. The strikes were described by the IDF as precise and intelligence-driven, aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s operational capabilities while minimizing civilian harm through advance notice and clear evacuation instructions.

According to official IDF statements, the targets included Hezbollah weapons depots and military assets deliberately positioned within civilian-populated areas, a tactic Israel has long accused the Iranian-backed group of using to shield its infrastructure. One of the strikes reportedly eliminated a senior Hezbollah aerial defense officer, marking a significant tactical blow amid ongoing cross-border hostilities.

The evacuation warning issued by Adraee followed standard IDF protocol during operations in densely populated zones, emphasizing Israel’s stated effort to distinguish between civilians and combatants. By publicly releasing maps and evacuation distances in Arabic, the IDF sought to provide residents with actionable information to reduce the risk of casualties before military action commenced.

The strikes represent a further escalation in the conflict along the Israel–Lebanon border, which has seen sustained exchanges since 2024. Israeli officials have repeatedly warned that Hezbollah’s continued attacks and buildup of weapons near civilian areas would trigger increasingly forceful responses. As tensions intensify, the latest operation underscores Israel’s message that it will act decisively against Hezbollah while placing responsibility on the group for operating from within civilian environments.