As the situation continues to escalate in the aftermath of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel, the Israeli military has ordered an evacuation for residents in the Dahiya neighborhood of Beirut, highlighting the fragile status of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
Evacuation Order Issued as Tensions Escalate in Beirut's Dahiya Region
Evacuation Order Issued as Tensions Escalate in Beirut's Dahiya Region
Israeli military calls for mass evacuation in southern suburbs of Beirut amid renewed rocket fire threats.
The Israeli military has issued a rare evacuation order for residents of the Dahiya neighborhood near Beirut, the first since a cease-fire was established months ago. On Friday, military spokesperson Avichay Adraee urged residents within 300 yards of a specific building marked in red on a map to leave immediately, citing its proximity to Hezbollah-affiliated facilities. This warning comes after rockets were fired at northern Israel, prompting concerns of renewed conflict.
The hostilities erupted following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which led to heightened military actions, including Hezbollah launching rockets in solidarity with Hamas. While there has been a cease-fire since November, Israeli military operations in Lebanon have persisted, raising alarm in regions like Dahiya, known for its support of Hezbollah.
Air-raid sirens were activated in northern Israeli towns on Friday, indicating incoming fire. Although Hezbollah denied responsibility for the attacks, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that any continued unrest in Israeli towns would lead to retaliatory strikes in Beirut.
As residents responded to the order, chaos ensued; Elie Hachem, director of St. Therese hospital—located near the targeted site—reported heightened panic with citizens attempting to alert each other of the threats, even as the institution itself remains operational and focused on maintaining calm among the populace.
The developing situation underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing volatility in the region, reflecting the complex dynamics of military, political and humanitarian challenges that continue to unfold.
The hostilities erupted following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which led to heightened military actions, including Hezbollah launching rockets in solidarity with Hamas. While there has been a cease-fire since November, Israeli military operations in Lebanon have persisted, raising alarm in regions like Dahiya, known for its support of Hezbollah.
Air-raid sirens were activated in northern Israeli towns on Friday, indicating incoming fire. Although Hezbollah denied responsibility for the attacks, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that any continued unrest in Israeli towns would lead to retaliatory strikes in Beirut.
As residents responded to the order, chaos ensued; Elie Hachem, director of St. Therese hospital—located near the targeted site—reported heightened panic with citizens attempting to alert each other of the threats, even as the institution itself remains operational and focused on maintaining calm among the populace.
The developing situation underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing volatility in the region, reflecting the complex dynamics of military, political and humanitarian challenges that continue to unfold.
