Israel launches attack on Lebanese city of Nabatieh

Here is a rewritten version of the article in a neutral newsroom style:

Israeli Military Orders Forced Displacement of Nabatieh Population

On Tuesday, the Israeli military ordered the forced displacement of the population of Lebanon’s southern city of Nabatieh. The decision comes amid an escalation of Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

According to reports, Israel launched artillery shelling on towns near Nabatieh on Wednesday, and direct air strikes were also carried out on a cemetery within the city limits. Additionally, surrounding villages, including Yohmor al-Shaqif, were hit multiple times.

Hezbollah responded by announcing artillery and drone strikes on Israeli forces advancing towards the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiya in the Nabatieh district.

Nabatieh is a city located above the Litani River, approximately 11km from Lebanon’s southern border. The area has been a focal point of past ceasefire agreements, with Hezbollah’s presence often restricted to the north of the river.

The recent focus on Nabatieh appears to be part of Israel’s efforts to establish a buffer zone, with the city situated near the northern periphery of this zone. According to Jad Dilati, a political analyst from Nabatieh, the goal is to “transform it into one of the villages or cities included below the yellow line.”

Nabatieh has historical significance as a symbol of resistance in Lebanon, dating back to the 1983 Ashura Uprising, when Israeli soldiers clashed with civilians during a religious ceremony. The incident is said to have contributed to the radicalization of the Shia Muslim community.

The city’s inhabitants are predominantly Shia Muslim and play a crucial role in south Lebanon’s economy. Israel’s war on Lebanon has targeted not only Hezbollah fighters but also the Shia community, which provides the majority of Hezbollah’s support.

Mohamad Bazzi, a DAWN fellow, notes that Nabatieh is an “administrative, economic, and symbolic heart of the south,” making it a key target in Israel’s efforts to cripple the Shia community.

Source: Al Jazeera