Israeli raids in Lebanon: civilian evacuations in the southern suburbs of Beirut

Israeli forces (IDF) ask civilians to evacuate an area on the southern outskirts of Beirut, the scene of new raids against Hezbollah targets. Tensions rise after rockets are fired from Lebanon into Israel

The Israeli Military Forces (IDF) urged civilians to evacuate a building and the surrounding area in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut, designated as an area close to Hezbollah facilities. It is the first time since 27 November that the IDF has issued such warnings, signalling an escalation in tension between Israel and Lebanon.

IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee published a map on X marking the evacuation area, urging residents to move at least 300 metres for safety reasons. Israeli forces confirm new raids against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, in response to the firing of two rockets towards Israeli territory, one of which was intercepted, while the other fell inside Lebanon.

Hezbollah, through a source quoted by broadcaster al-Mayadeen, denied the involvement of its fighters in the rocket attack, describing the situation as a ‘suspicious attempt to create pretexts to continue the aggression in Lebanon’.

According to the Lebanese media, the areas hit by the Israeli raids include Nabatieh, Qaaqaait al-Jisr, and the town of Khiam, all located in southern Lebanon. Tensions between the two nations appear to be rekindled after four months of truce, with a raid attributed to Israel reportedly hitting the Hadath area on the southern outskirts of Beirut.

Israeli forces had already carried out flyovers with drones and military fighter jets in the area, local media reported, with a roar being heard in several areas of the Lebanese capital. Residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs report scenes of panic and chaos, fearing a possible extension of the clashes.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)