June 26, 2026 l By Kimberly White
JERUSALEM/BEIRUT — Israeli forces dropped evacuation leaflets over the southern Lebanese town of Mansouri on Friday, ordering residents to leave the area in the first such warning since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect, underscoring the fragility of efforts to end months of cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
The evacuation order came just hours after Israel, Lebanon, and the United States signed a framework agreement in Washington aimed at laying the foundation for a broader peace process and gradually restoring stability along the volatile border. Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, military activity on the ground continued, highlighting the significant challenges facing implementation of the accord.
According to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency, Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets over Mansouri, a town located near territory currently occupied by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. The leaflets instructed civilians to evacuate immediately, although Israeli authorities did not publicly explain the reason for the warning or announce any imminent military operation.
The incident marked the first evacuation order issued by Israel since the ceasefire came into effect, raising concerns among residents that hostilities could resume despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. Local officials reported heightened anxiety among civilians, many of whom had only recently begun returning to their homes following weeks of conflict.
Earlier on Friday, representatives of Israel and Lebanon signed a U.S.-mediated framework agreement in Washington designed to establish a pathway toward ending hostilities and addressing longstanding security disputes along the border. The agreement was signed by Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, Lebanese Ambassador Nada Moawad, and senior U.S. officials during talks led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Under the agreement, Israel has agreed to begin withdrawing from designated "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese Armed Forces to gradually assume security responsibilities in those areas. The arrangement also establishes a Military Coordination Group, supported by the United States, to oversee implementation of the ceasefire and prevent renewed clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. The United States additionally announced $100 million in humanitarian assistance to support Lebanon's recovery efforts.
Despite the diplomatic progress, major obstacles remain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israeli troops will continue operating in parts of southern Lebanon until Hezbollah fully disarms and no longer poses a threat to northern Israeli communities. Hezbollah, however, has rejected calls to surrender its weapons and has signaled it will not cooperate with any arrangement requiring its disarmament.
The ceasefire has largely reduced the intensity of fighting, but isolated Israeli strikes targeting suspected Hezbollah operatives have continued in recent days. Lebanese officials have accused Israel of violating the truce, while Israeli authorities insist their operations are necessary to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities near the border.
Humanitarian organizations remain concerned about the situation facing civilians across southern Lebanon. Thousands of families remain displaced after months of conflict, while widespread destruction of homes, infrastructure, and farmland has complicated efforts to return safely. Many communities located near the border continue to experience restricted movement because of ongoing military deployments and security concerns.
International observers have welcomed the signing of the framework agreement as an important first step toward lasting peace but cautioned that its success will depend on sustained political commitment from all parties. With tensions still running high and Hezbollah refusing to disarm, analysts warn that even isolated incidents—such as Friday's evacuation warning in Mansouri—could threaten the fragile diplomatic progress achieved through U.S.-mediated negotiations.