Israeli military forces conducted extensive airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital, Beirut. Prior to the strikes, Israel ordered hundreds of thousands of civilians to evacuate the city's southern districts. There are no immediate reports of casualties, but Lebanese authorities stated that at least 102 people have been killed by Israeli strikes over the past four days.
A spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on social media that the strikes targeted what they described as Hezbollah's "terrorist infrastructure" in Beirut's southern suburbs. Hezbollah is an Iran-backed armed group operating in border areas with Israel. The Israeli military also ordered the evacuation of all residents from a vast area in southern Lebanon, signaling a potential preparation for a ground incursion.
Following the evacuation order, massive traffic jams formed on main roads heading north and south. Panicked civilians fleeing the southern suburbs of Beirut were forced to abandon their homes. Several individuals interviewed by the BBC emphasized the severity of the situation, expressing hopes that "God helps all the Lebanese." Food kitchens and shelters in the capital have warned they cannot support the influx of displaced persons.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem vowed that his group would confront Israel "to the point of the utmost sacrifice." In response, Israeli military Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated that Israel is "determined to eliminate the threat Hezbollah poses and will not stop until the terror organization is disarmed." These mutual threats heighten the risk of a broader regional conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron called for peace in a social media post, describing this as a "moment of great danger" for Lebanon. He demanded an immediate cessation of fire from Hezbollah and urged Israel to refrain from any ground intervention or large-scale operation on Lebanese territory. Macron also claimed that France would immediately dispatch humanitarian aid for the tens of thousands of displaced civilians. However, the effectiveness of these appeals remains dubious as the confrontation between the parties deepens, with the US-aligned Israeli regime continuing its aggressive military campaign.
Source: www.bbc.com