The Lebanese army withdrew its troops from a military base in a village in southern Lebanon on Saturday after Israeli forces moved closer to the area, a military official said.
The withdrawal took place from army barracks in Kfar Tebnit. Around the same time, the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for nearly 20 locations, including the city of Nabatiyeh and several nearby villages.
Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported fresh Israeli airstrikes on villages near Nabatiyeh. One strike in Deir al-Zahrani killed two people. The agency also said Nabatiyeh came under artillery fire during the day.
A senior Lebanese military official said troops left the Kfar Tebnit base after Israeli forces entered the area. The official spoke on condition of anonymity and did not provide further details.
Military observers believe Israeli troops may be trying to take control of the strategic Ali Taher hill near Kfar Tebnit. The hill overlooks large parts of Nabatiyeh and key roads connecting the city with surrounding villages.
Israel controlled the Ali Taher hill for 18 years before withdrawing from southern Lebanon in May 2000.
In late May, Israeli forces captured another strategic position nearby, the Crusader-era Beaufort Castle. It marked Israel's deepest military advance into Lebanon since 2000.
The latest movement near Kfar Tebnit came a day after Pakistan's prime minister said the United States and Iran had agreed on the wording of a deal aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East. Mediators are now working to finalise the agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that efforts were underway to sign an initial agreement that would end the war on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Senior Hezbollah official Hussein Haj Hassan said Iranian officials had informed the group that Lebanon would be included in any future ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran.
Iran has long been Hezbollah's main supporter, providing the group with weapons and financial assistance over the past four decades. Despite a ceasefire that began on April 17 and has been extended several times, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have continued.
Israel still controls parts of southern Lebanon and continues military operations against Hezbollah. The fighting has caused civilian deaths and damage to infrastructure. Hezbollah, which is not part of the ceasefire agreement, has continued launching rockets and drones into Israel.
The current conflict began on March 2 when Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel, two days after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran.
According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, more than 3,700 people have been killed in the fighting. Israeli authorities say 30 soldiers, one defence contractor and two civilians have also lost their lives during the conflict.
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