Israel-Hamas war rages as crisis deepens in Gaza
 

Americans leave Israel on cruise ship bound for Cyprus                                                                                                                                                               A Royal Caribbean cruise ship carrying US nationals has departed the Israeli port of Haifa for Cypru                                                                                                                                                                        Israel orders evacuation of 28 villages near Lebanese border in northern Israel                                                                                                                       

The Israeli government on Monday ordered the evacuation of 28 villages in northern Israel within two kilometers of the country's border with Lebanon.

“The implementation of the plan was approved by Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant," a joint statement by Israel’s Ministry of Defense and the Israel Defense Forces says. "A short while ago, the Northern Command updated the heads of the local authorities on the decision. The plan will be implemented by the heads of the local municipalities, the Ministry of Interior and the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) of the Ministry of Defense."

The 28 communities included in the plan are: Ghajar, Dishon, Kfar Yuval, Margaliot, Metula, Avivim, Dovev, Ma’ayan Baruch, Bara’m, Manara, Yiftach, Malkia, Misgav Am, Yir’on, Dafna, Arab al-Aramshe, Shlomi, Netu’a, Ya’ara, Shtula, Matat, Zari’t, Shomera, Betzet, Adamit, Rosh HaNikram, Hanita and Kfar Giladi.

Some context: News of the evacuation comes amid an exchange of fire on the border between Israel and members of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. On Sunday, Israeli jets struck Hezbollah military targets in Lebanon, in response to nine rockets being fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory earlier in the day, the IDF said.