Evacuation in Southern Beirut as Israel Targets Hezbollah Facilities
Israeli military strikes prompt mass exodus from southern Beirut suburbs amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah.
Residents of southern Beirut suburbs began fleeing on Thursday following an evacuation warning issued by the Israeli military.
The warning, relayed through the army’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, indicated imminent strikes on underground drone manufacturing facilities associated with Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group.
The evacuation message urged residents to distance themselves from the targeted sites by at least 300 meters for their safety.
Eyewitness reports from the area indicated heavy traffic congestion as individuals and families attempted to leave, aligning with local media reports of warning strikes conducted by the Israeli air force.
The Israeli army articulated its intent to strike underground infrastructure used for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production, asserting that these facilities had been established in close proximity to civilian populations in Beirut.
This recent move follows over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated with the onset of the Gaza conflict and led to intensified military actions, including extensive Israeli bombardments and ground incursions into southern Lebanon.
A ceasefire established in November aimed to halt the violence, which had significantly diminished Hezbollah’s capabilities; however, Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have persisted.
While attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs have been infrequent, the focus on areas considered Hezbollah strongholds marks a notable shift in Israeli strategy.
The Israeli army's recent statements emphasized that Hezbollah’s use of UAVs in its offensive operations necessitated increased production capabilities, underscoring the ongoing concerns regarding the militant group's military advancements and the perceived threats to Israeli security.
The truce between Israel and Hezbollah stipulated that Hezbollah fighters were to withdraw north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the border, and dismantle military infrastructure south of that line.
In contrast, Israel has maintained its military presence at five strategically significant positions along the frontier.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese army has been engaged in operations to dismantle Hezbollah's structures in the south, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reporting the removal of over 500 military positions and arms depots to enhance security in the area.
The warning, relayed through the army’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, indicated imminent strikes on underground drone manufacturing facilities associated with Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group.
The evacuation message urged residents to distance themselves from the targeted sites by at least 300 meters for their safety.
Eyewitness reports from the area indicated heavy traffic congestion as individuals and families attempted to leave, aligning with local media reports of warning strikes conducted by the Israeli air force.
The Israeli army articulated its intent to strike underground infrastructure used for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production, asserting that these facilities had been established in close proximity to civilian populations in Beirut.
This recent move follows over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated with the onset of the Gaza conflict and led to intensified military actions, including extensive Israeli bombardments and ground incursions into southern Lebanon.
A ceasefire established in November aimed to halt the violence, which had significantly diminished Hezbollah’s capabilities; however, Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have persisted.
While attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs have been infrequent, the focus on areas considered Hezbollah strongholds marks a notable shift in Israeli strategy.
The Israeli army's recent statements emphasized that Hezbollah’s use of UAVs in its offensive operations necessitated increased production capabilities, underscoring the ongoing concerns regarding the militant group's military advancements and the perceived threats to Israeli security.
The truce between Israel and Hezbollah stipulated that Hezbollah fighters were to withdraw north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the border, and dismantle military infrastructure south of that line.
In contrast, Israel has maintained its military presence at five strategically significant positions along the frontier.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese army has been engaged in operations to dismantle Hezbollah's structures in the south, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reporting the removal of over 500 military positions and arms depots to enhance security in the area.