The widespread orders across southern Lebanon came amid what appeared to be intensifying efforts to reach a cease-fire.

Israel said headway was being made in US-mediated efforts to achieve a cease-fire in Lebanon, but that it still needed guarantees on resuming military operations if there are any infractions by Hezbollah.

Israel is increasingly operating in parts of Lebanon which are not widely populated by Shias, who are most likely to support Hizbullah. This is stoking fears that Israel hopes to inflame Lebanon’s long-standing sectarian divisions and thus foment political change.

Israel’s new foreign minister said Monday that there has been “certain progress” in efforts to end the fighting with Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for more than 20 towns and villages in southern Lebanon on Monday, the latest indication that its conflict with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is deepening,