Israeli Army Warns Beirut Suburbs Residents to Evacuate Amid Rising Tensions

On Sunday, November 17, 2024, the Israeli army issued evacuation orders to residents in three neighborhoods in the southern suburbs of Beirut: Hadath Beirut, Burj al-Barajneh, and Chiyah. These areas, which the army claims host Hezbollah facilities, are expected to be targeted by airstrikes in the near future.

In a statement directed at the residents, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) declared, “You are near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah, which the IDF will target soon.” Such warnings are customary ahead of military strikes.

Widening Conflict Across Multiple Fronts

The Lebanese national news agency, NNA, reported that Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling targeted Al-Khiyam in southeastern Lebanon, adding to the intensifying conflict in the region.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, at least 24 people were killed on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes, according to the local Civil Defense. On Sunday, the IDF reported the death of a 21-year-old Israeli soldier in the northern Gaza Strip.

In Israel, two flares landed near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence in Caesarea on Saturday, which security officials labeled a “dangerous escalation.”

The Hezbollah Front and Regional Implications

The powerful armed group Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has long been accused of acting as a "state within a state" in Lebanon. The organization opened a new front against Israel in October 2023, following Hamas's surprise attack on Israeli territory, marking the start of the ongoing war in Gaza.

As tensions with Hezbollah escalate, Israel has shifted significant military focus to Lebanon. Since September 23, 2024, the IDF has carried out a sustained bombing campaign targeting Hezbollah strongholds, including in Beirut’s southern suburbs and near Lebanon’s southern border with Israel.

On Saturday, Hezbollah claimed to have struck an Israeli tank with a missile and launched new rocket attacks on northern Israel, including Haifa, where a synagogue was hit, leaving two civilians injured. The IDF reported 80 projectiles fired from Lebanon that day.

Humanitarian and Security Impact

The escalating violence has displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the Lebanon-Israel border. In southern Lebanon, cities such as Tyre have come under intense bombardment, with Israeli strikes reportedly targeting Hezbollah’s weapons depots and command centers. Two emergency responders were killed in the attacks, according to Lebanese authorities.

Israel asserts that its military operations aim to neutralize Hezbollah and Hamas, both of which are supported by its adversary Iran. In Lebanon, Israel's stated objective is to push Hezbollah away from the border and halt the group’s rocket attacks.

Ongoing Struggle and Regional Stakes

Despite suffering significant losses, including the deaths of senior commanders, Hezbollah has maintained its capability to retaliate. The group’s actions and Israel’s military response highlight the complexity of the conflict, underscoring its broader regional implications.