Israel strikes Beirut and orders south Lebanon evacuation as conflict mounts

Israel Strikes Beirut and Issues Evacuation Orders in Southern Lebanon

On Thursday, Israel expanded its military actions in Lebanon by bombing central Beirut and issuing a new evacuation directive for areas within 25 miles of the border. The order, announced by an Israeli military spokesperson, instructed residents to move north of the Zahrani River to avoid harm, setting the stage for intensified clashes with Hezbollah. This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, with the IDF targeting what it claims are Hezbollah positions.

The evacuation encompasses major Lebanese cities such as Nabatieh and scores of villages. A specific warning was issued for a Beirut neighborhood near a cluster of restaurants, where the Israeli military warned of imminent strikes on a building. Just days prior, Israel had already evacuated people south of the Litani River and in Beirut’s southern suburbs, resulting in over a million internally displaced individuals within ten days of hostilities.

Following the order, Israel launched strikes on two structures in central Beirut. One of the buildings, located in the Zouq Blat district, was adjacent to a shelter for displaced families, causing panic among those seeking refuge. The other target was near the prime minister’s office, UN missions, and foreign embassies. Residents expressed fear and uncertainty, with Hamza Zbeeb, a 48-year-old municipal worker from Nimiriya, questioning, “Where can I go?” as many had already fled to Beirut and returned due to lack of alternative shelter.

“Where can I go?” asked Hamza Zbeeb, a 48-year-old member of the municipality of Nimiriya, one of the villages included in the evacuation order. “Many people have gone to Beirut and returned because there’s nowhere to stay. I don’t want to be on the streets.”

The bombardment came after Hezbollah escalated its attacks on Israel, launching over 200 rockets, including projectiles aimed at military bases in Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Beersheba. This was the first time Hezbollah and Iran coordinated their strikes, as noted in a statement from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The operation, named “Operation Chewed Wheat” after a Quranic reference, signals Hezbollah’s determination despite nearly two years of relentless Israeli airstrikes.

Residents in border towns described a chaotic night. Daniel Dorfman, 43, from Metula, a town close to Lebanon, recounted, “Last night was a bit crazy. I don’t get anxious usually, but all the walls were shaking. It’s a little bit frightening. Here we get zero warning of any attack. You hear the explosions of the interception before you hear the sirens.” Meanwhile, Ali Hariri, a lawyer and first responder in Nabatieh, shared his experience: “It was a very difficult night; what can I say? Bombing all night.”

Israel’s aerial assaults left streets in southern Lebanon littered with debris and smoke, as videos captured the aftermath of collapsed buildings and burning neighborhoods. In central Beirut, a strike in the Ramlet al-Baida district killed at least two men and injured 28 others, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The violence underscores the escalating intensity of the 10-day conflict, with both sides demonstrating increased resolve.