Israel orders evacuation of buildings in southern Beirut ahead of airstrikes

A military statement ordered residents to stay 500 meters away from several buildings in the neighborhoods of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, and Al-Leik in Beirut’s southern suburb.

It attached a map of the targeted buildings, saying it will “act forcefully” against what it called Hezbollah assets and interests in the area.

The Israeli army has repeatedly issued evacuation orders for civilians in several areas across Lebanon since the start of its air campaign on the country in late September.

Israel has escalated airstrikes in Lebanon against what it claims are targets of the Hezbollah group in an escalation from year-long cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023.

More than 3,200 people have been killed and over 14,000 injured in Israeli attacks since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict by launching an incursion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1 this year.