Israeli military's recent commands in Beirut suburbs signal fragility of the cease-fire established post-October attacks, stirring panic among local citizens.
Israel Issues Evacuation Order for Beirut Suburbs Amid Rising Tensions
Israel Issues Evacuation Order for Beirut Suburbs Amid Rising Tensions
As preemptive measures escalate, residents near Hezbollah-controlled areas are urged to leave amid fears of renewed conflict.
In a notable escalation of hostilities, the Israeli military has directed residents in the southern suburbs of Beirut to evacuate for the first time since a U.S.-brokered cease-fire took effect several months ago. This order comes in response to recent rocket attacks on northern Israel, underpinning the precarious nature of the truce.
Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli military, announced the evacuation on social media, highlighting a specific building in the densely populated Dahiya neighborhood as a point of immediate concern. He urged anyone within 300 yards of the site to exit without delay, citing its affiliations with Hezbollah, the influential Lebanese political and militant group.
The hostilities reignited after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, prompting Hezbollah to launch its own offensive operations in a show of solidarity with Palestine. This aggression led to a full-scale war, including an Israeli ground invasion, before a cease-fire was instantiated in November.
Despite the cease-fire, Israeli forces have persistently targeted suspected militant positions in southern and eastern Lebanon. Until now, Dahiya, known for its strong support of Hezbollah, remained untouched since the cessation of hostilities was agreed upon.
On the morning of the evacuation order, air-raid sirens resonated across northern Israel, particularly in Kiryat Shmona, where one projectile was intercepted and another fell into Lebanese territory. Hezbollah repudiated any involvement in the recent attacks, reaffirming its commitment to the cease-fire.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning, threatening to retaliate against Beirut if northern communities continued to experience unrest. “If it’s not quiet in Kiryat Shmona and the communities in the Galilee — it shall not be quiet in Beirut,” he stated.
The atmosphere in Dahiya is charged, with reports of gunfire as residents tried to notify each other of the dangerous situation. Elie Hachem, director of St. Therese hospital located close to the evacuation zone, recounted the panic in the streets, with the sounds of honking cars amplifying the chaos. Despite the escalating threat, the hospital staff, whose facilities have endured significant damage during previous airstrikes, has yet to devise an evacuation plan, instead focusing efforts on maintaining calm.
Hwaida Saad and Dayana Iwaza contributed to this report from Beirut. Euan Ward is reporting from Beirut, while Aaron Boxerman covers events in Jerusalem.
