On Thursday night, Israeli forces issued an evacuation order for southern Beirut, leading to chaotic scenes as residents, fearing airstrikes, attempted to flee. Many were seen escaping barefoot amidst heavy traffic and difficulties evacuating vulnerable family members. Explosions rocked the area throughout the night.
CNN’s Matthew Chance reported on the urgency of the situation amidst a mass exodus. The evacuation order affected over 500,000 people in the area, marking a significant escalation in Israel’s military warnings, which had previously targeted specific buildings. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich suggested that the destruction in the southern suburbs could mirror the devastation seen in Khan Younis, Gaza.
Despite a 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes have continued. Tensions escalated further when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint Israeli-U.S. attack. This prompted backlash against Hezbollah within Lebanese society and an official ban on its military activities announced by the Lebanese president.
In response to the unfolding crisis, the Lebanese government also moved to restrict visa-free travel for Iranian visitors.
Source link
