Israel renews Beirut evacuation orders amid global calls to halt attacks

Abdel Ra’ouf D. A. R. Arnaout

​​​​​​​The Israeli army issued fresh evacuation warnings on Thursday for residents of eight areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs, despite mounting international calls to halt its attacks on Lebanon.

Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an “urgent warning” in a post on the US social media platform X, calling on residents to leave their homes immediately.

“Evacuate your homes immediately, especially in areas such as Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, Hadath, Burj al-Barajneh, Tahwitat al-Ghadir, Chiyah and Jnah,” he said.

The areas mentioned cover much of Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Since the start of the US-Iran ceasefire on Wednesday, the Israeli army has issued numerous warnings to Lebanese residents to evacuate their homes across much of Beirut’s southern suburbs before planned attacks.

The Israeli army has since carried out multiple airstrikes on the area.

The escalation comes a day after the US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, as a step toward a final agreement to halt a war launched by Washington and Tel Aviv against Tehran on Feb. 28, which has left thousands killed and wounded.

While Islamabad and Tehran said the ceasefire includes Lebanon, Washington and Tel Aviv denied that, and the Israeli military launched a massive wave of airstrikes Wednesday, killing at least 254 people and wounding 1,165, according to Lebanon’s Civil Defense.

The expanded Israeli offensive on Lebanon since March 2 has killed 1,739 people and wounded 5,873 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

*Writing by Rasa Evrensel in Istanbul