Leaflets dropped over a Lebanese border village urging residents to evacuate have stirred confusion and concern. The Israeli military has confirmed that these leaflets, distributed on Sunday, were not authorized and do not reflect any official evacuation orders. The leaflets, written in Arabic, instructed residents and refugees in Wazzani to leave immediately, citing Hezbollah’s firing from the area and setting a deadline of 4 p.m. local time (13:00 GMT) for departure. The message also warned that anyone remaining after the deadline would be considered a terrorist.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the leaflets were distributed by a brigade without proper authorization, emphasizing that no formal evacuation procedures are currently in place. This clarification came amid heightened tensions from ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which have been exacerbated by the recent conflict in Gaza.

In Wazzani, an agricultural village where Syrian refugees are employed, the leaflets have caused significant distress. Mayor Ahmed al-Mohammed noted that while some Syrian workers have begun to leave, many locals, including farmers with livestock, are unable to abandon their homes and land. “We cannot leave our land,” he said, highlighting the challenges faced by residents trying to navigate the conflicting information.

The unauthorized leaflets add to the already high tensions in the region, where misinformation and fear are widespread. The incident underscores the impact of such actions on civilians caught in the crossfire, amplifying concerns about the accuracy and legitimacy of information during the conflict