Israel has established an undeclared “red zone” deep inside southern Lebanon, significantly expanding the scope of its military activity beyond a previously announced boundary, according to security sources cited by Asharq Al-Awsat.

The newly imposed zone runs alongside what Israel had previously defined as a “yellow line” near the border but extends much farther inland. It encompasses a wide geographic area subjected to near-daily airstrikes, artillery shelling, and evacuation warnings, effectively creating a de facto no-go zone without formal announcement.

Security sources said the red zone stretches from southwestern Lebanon to the outskirts of Nabatiyeh over a radius exceeding 35 kilometers, reaching roughly 25 kilometers into Lebanese territory. Dozens of towns and villages have been drawn into the expanding zone of danger, forcing residents to flee amid sustained bombardment.

By comparison, the previously declared yellow line lies closer to the border, extending between 8 and 12 kilometers inside Lebanon. The red zone pushes an additional 12 kilometers beyond that line, bringing the total depth of high-risk areas to at least 20 kilometers from the frontier.

The zone is effectively divided into two areas. One includes 23 towns that have received direct evacuation warnings, located both north and south of the Litani River. The other, though not officially designated, lies at least 12 kilometers beyond the yellow line and is subjected to continuous strikes, rendering it unsafe for civilians. These areas span the districts of Tyre, Bint Jbeil, Marjayoun, and Nabatiyeh.

Evacuation orders have steadily expanded. On Sunday, Israeli forces warned residents in seven villages north of the Litani River, overlooking the river basin and the northern entrance to Wadi al-Hujair, to leave their homes. By Tuesday, the army issued further warnings to 16 towns across Bint Jbeil, Marjayoun, and Tyre, including areas overlooking the Hujair and Salouki valleys.

Military analysts say the selection of these locations is tied to their geography. The terrain includes elevated positions and valleys overlooking the border zone, making them strategically significant. These areas provide what experts describe as “operational depth” for Hezbollah fighters, allowing movement, deployment, and the launching of drones—particularly small attack drones that have become a central feature of the group’s tactics.

The geography of the targeted towns further underscores their importance. Villages such as Arnoun, Yahmar al-Shaqif, Zawtar, and Kfar Tebnit overlook areas including Taybeh, Deir Seryan, and Qantara. Others, including Khirbet Selm, Majdal Selm, Qabrikha, and Touline, face towns such as Adshit al-Qusayr, Tallousa, and Bani Hayyan. Meanwhile, Shaqra, Majdal Selm, and Braachit overlook Houla, Mays al-Jabal, and key routes through the Salouki Valley leading toward Bint Jbeil.

The scope of the red zone appears to extend even further than evacuation warnings suggest. According to field reports, Israeli strikes—whether by air, drone, or artillery—have hit more than 25 towns. On Tuesday, attacks reached Jibshit in the Nabatiyeh district, while earlier strikes hit Dabaal in Tyre and Bazouriyeh east of Tyre, all roughly 25 kilometers from the border.