Israeli military forces unleashed a series of intensive nighttime bombardments against Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut after instructing civilians to evacuate the area, while the militant organization issued counter-warnings for Israelis living near the Lebanese border.
The night sky above Beirut’s southern districts was illuminated by explosions and bright flashes, according to video evidence. Israeli defense officials reported conducting 26 separate bombing campaigns throughout the night, focusing on what they described as Hezbollah command centers and ammunition depots.
Israeli military representatives had instructed southern suburb residents on Thursday to relocate toward the east and north, releasing a detailed map that highlighted four major sections of the capital that needed immediate evacuation, including zones near Beirut’s airport.
In response, Hezbollah published a Hebrew-language warning on its Telegram platform early Friday morning, urging Israeli citizens to abandon communities located within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of the Lebanese frontier.
“Your military’s aggression against Lebanese sovereignty and safe citizens, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the expulsion campaign it is carrying out will not go unchallenged,” Hezbollah said.
Throughout the 2024 conflict between the two forces, tens of thousands of Israeli residents were relocated from border communities, though many have subsequently returned home. Israeli government representatives have stated there are currently no immediate plans for additional evacuations.
Lebanon became entangled in the broader Middle Eastern conflict this past Monday when Hezbollah initiated attacks, sparking a fresh Israeli military campaign concentrated on Beirut’s southern neighborhoods and Lebanon’s southern and eastern regions.
Israeli authorities have also directed Lebanese civilians to abandon extensive areas throughout southern and eastern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s health ministry reports that this week’s Israeli military operations have resulted in 123 deaths and 683 injuries. These statistics do not separate civilian casualties from military personnel.
No Israeli deaths have been documented from Hezbollah’s retaliatory strikes.
The Shiite Muslim organization, which Iran’s Revolutionary Guards founded in 1982, suffered significant losses during Israel’s 2024 military campaign.
