ISRAEL is pursuing a "scorched-earth policy" in Lebanon and is forcing scores of people into exile, the country's PM has said - amid the ongoing ground invasion.
Benjamin Netanyahu's troops continue to advance in southern Israel, and recently reached the city of Nabatieh, capturing Beaufort castle.
The push came despite a nominal ceasefire which has been in place since April 17 which has has failed to halt the violence.
In a televised address, Lebanon's PM, Nawaf Salam accused Israel of "pursuing a scorched-earth policy and collective punishment" by "destroying towns and villages, and forcing their inhabitants into exile".
The capture of Beaufort castle near the city of Nabatiyeh came after days of intense fighting and airstrikes in nearby villages, where Israeli troops fought Hezbollah members. It marks a major gain for Israel since the latest war began in early March.
This development has prompted Hezbollah to scale-up its attacks on northern Israel.
According to Al Jazeera, Israels' defence minister, Israel Katz, commenting on the capture, said: "The Israeli flag is once again flying over the peaks overlooking the Galilee communities.
“Our heroic soldiers have captured Beaufort once again, and will remain there as part of the security zone in Lebanon.”
Earlier this week, Katz was accused of committing to the ethnic cleansing of Gaza and said this week he would implement a plan for large numbers of Palestinians to leave the area, "at the right time and in the right manner," according to The Guardian.
The recent developments have prompted condemnation from Spain and now Egypt, whose foreign minister has called for Israel to fully withdrawal from the country.
But the violence doesn't look set to reduce, and as of Sunday morning, the IDF are continuing to issue warnings threatening residents south of the Zahrani River in southern Lebanon.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced from their homes, as around 100 additional Lebanese towns and villages, have been added to IDF orders, according to a Reuters review of Israeli statements.
