Netanyahu urges Lebanese citizens to evacuate amid bombardment, signaling war expansion
Smoke rises over southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon September 23, 2024. (Reuters Photo)
As the Israeli bombardment of Lebanon continues, Lebanese citizens are urged by Israel to leave their homes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Lebanese residents to evacuate their homes amid escalating airstrikes by the Israeli army, signaling the potential expansion of the war in the Middle East.
In a video message following the onset of heavy airstrikes this morning, Netanyahu advised the Lebanese people to leave their residences, claiming they would be able to “return safely” once the attacks cease.
‘Take this warning seriously’
He stated that the Israeli army has warned the Lebanese public to “stay away from danger,” adding, “I advise you to take this warning seriously.”
Netanyahu implied that Hezbollah uses the Lebanese population as “human shields,” asserting that the group’s rockets target Israel and its citizens.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed the Israeli military has “dismantled” infrastructure built by Hezbollah over the past 20 years through its airstrikes.
According to a report by Israeli media outlet The Times of Israel, Gallant stated, “In recent days, we have destroyed what Hezbollah has built,” noting that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is “left alone at the top” and that “all units of the Radwan Force have been rendered inactive.”
Yesterday’s Israeli attack on Beirut resulted in the deaths of 15 Hezbollah members, including senior military commander Ibrahim Akil and former Radwan Force commander Ahmed Mahmud Vehbi.
Clashes between the Israeli army and Lebanese Hezbollah along the border have intensified since October 8. Today, the Israeli military issued an order for civilians in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa region to evacuate if they live near Hezbollah positions, threatening to target those areas.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that at least 274 people have died in the airstrikes carried out by Israel since this morning.
State of emergency in Israel as it hits Beirut
Meanwhile, on Monday, the Israeli army launches an airstrike on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, reportedly targeting Ali Karaki, a Hezbollah leader known as the third highest in the organization.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah confirms that its top military commander Ali Karaki is alive, moved to safer place, following Israeli airstrikes on southern Beirut that targeted him.
In another development, Israel declares a state of emergency for a week, effective immediately, amid tensions with Hezbollah, while residents in southern Lebanon begin fleeing north on Monday due to heavy Israeli airstrikes.
