Traffic in Lebanon's capital was gridlocked on Thursday as panicked residents attempted to flee following an Israeli military order for all of Beirut's southern suburbs to evacuate, signalling a potential major bombardment of the area. The notice, covering the Dahiyeh district, urged residents to 'save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately' and specified escape routes for different areas.
Since hostilities resumed between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel had struck sites in Beirut's suburbs and issued a blanket warning for residents south of the Litani River, but this is the first blanket evacuation order for areas outside the capital. The conflict escalated after attacks by the US and Israel on Iran triggered a new Middle East war, with Hezbollah launching missiles and drones into Israel on Monday for the first time in over a year, prompting Israeli retaliation.
The conflict has claimed 102 lives and displaced over 83,000 people in Lebanon before Thursday's order. Fleeing resident Hadi Kaakour expressed uncertainty about safety, stating, 'We don't put anything past them (Israel), they will strike us no matter where we go.' Another resident, Yousef Nabulsi, voiced frustration, saying, 'We got sucked into a mess that we have nothing to do with. People have been displaced and are now staying on the streets, and this is wrong.'
UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon confirmed ground combat for the first time, with UNIFIL spokesperson Tilak Pokharel reporting 'ground combat was observed west of Kfar Kila' overnight, including 'firing of shots.' In Khiyam, peacekeepers witnessed 'air attacks and flares and heard explosions.' Israel said it sent additional troops into southern Lebanon on Tuesday, while the Lebanese army has pulled back from the border. Hezbollah has announced attacks on Israeli troops, publishing a video of a tank being struck by a missile; the Israeli army reported two soldiers wounded by anti-tank fire on Wednesday.
