An Israeli soldier hugs a woman near the border with Lebanon on October 15, 2023 in Ramot Naftali, Israel. Photo by Getty Images

This article originally appeared on Haaretz, and was reprinted here with permission. Sign up here to get Haaretz’s free Daily Brief newsletter delivered to your inbox.

The Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli defense ministry announced Monday that it will evacuate residents from 28 communities along the border with Lebanon.

According to the statement released by both parties, the 28 communities are located within 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of the border with Lebanon. The residents will be taken to hotels and guest houses that will be paid for by the Israeli government.

The 28 communities are: Adamit, Arab al-Aramshe, Avivim, Bar’am, Betzet, Dafna, Dishon, Dovev, Ghajar, Hanita, Kfar Giladi, Ma’ayan Baruch, Malkia, Manara, Margaliot, Mattat, Metula, Misgav Am, Netu’a, Rosh Hanikra, Shlomi, Shomera, Shtula, Ya’ara, Yiftah, Yir’on, Yuval, and Zar’it.

Israel’s war against Hamas entered the tenth day on Monday after the merciless assault by Hamas that left over 1,300 Israelis slain and at least 3,300 wounded. In the Gaza Strip, where at least 2,450 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the war began, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are holding hostage more than 150 soldiers and civilians, including foreign nationals.

On Israel’s northern front, tensions have escalated precipitously. Hezbollah began firing anti-tank missiles at Israeli military targets, as well as an Israeli community near the Lebanon border early on Sunday, killing one man and wounding several others. The IDF returned fire at Hezbollah targets and created a 4 kilometer buffer zone along the border.

Exchanges of fire continued into the evening, when the IDF said it was striking military infrastructure in Lebanon after eight people were wounded from Hezbollah fire. In addition, Hamas forces in Lebanon claimed they fired 20 rockets at Israel.

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