Beirut evacuation orders were issued after Israel warned residents of several southern suburbs to leave immediately before expected strikes targeting Hezbollah positions and infrastructure.
The warning was delivered through a public message posted online by Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee.
Adraee stated that civilians living in multiple neighbourhoods should evacuate without delay to avoid the risk of being caught in planned military operations.
He said the evacuation warning specifically applies to residents in the densely populated southern suburbs of Beirut.
The areas listed in the notice include Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, Bourj el-Barajneh, Ghadir Perimeter and Shiyah.
According to Adraee, these neighbourhoods contain facilities and operational positions connected to Hezbollah.
He warned that Israeli forces would not hesitate to strike individuals located near Hezbollah fighters, weapons or logistical infrastructure.
“The defense army will not hesitate to target anyone present near Hezbollah elements, their facilities, or their combat means,” Adraee said.
“You are putting yourselves and your lives in danger – therefore, evacuate the area immediately,” he added in the statement.
The message was published on the social media platform X.
Israeli officials say such warnings are intended to reduce civilian casualties before planned airstrikes.
However, humanitarian organisations say repeated evacuation orders are creating chaos and displacement across Lebanon’s urban areas.
The southern suburbs of Beirut have long been considered strongholds for Hezbollah’s political and military presence.
The neighbourhoods mentioned in the evacuation notice are densely populated residential districts with large apartment complexes.
Many families living there have limited resources or transportation options to leave quickly.
Local residents reported panic after the warning spread through neighbourhood messaging groups and social media posts.
Some families began packing essential belongings while others searched for safe areas outside the threatened districts.
Traffic congestion was reported on several roads leading away from southern Beirut suburbs shortly after the warning circulated.
Many residents fear that evacuation may only provide temporary safety as strikes often expand to nearby districts.
Air raid sirens and the sound of military aircraft have also increased anxiety among civilians in the capital.
The warning comes amid escalating cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah forces.
The confrontation intensified following a broader regional conflict involving Israel and Iran-aligned groups.
Israeli officials accuse Hezbollah of launching rockets and drones toward Israeli territory from southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah leaders say their attacks are aimed at supporting Palestinian groups fighting Israel in Gaza.
The Lebanese government has repeatedly warned that the conflict risks dragging the country into a wider regional war.
Authorities say civilian infrastructure, including homes, hospitals and schools, has already been heavily affected by the strikes.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, at least 826 people have been killed across the country during Israeli attacks.
Among the dead are many children and civilians who were not directly involved in fighting.
The ministry also reported that at least 31 health workers have been killed during the ongoing hostilities.
Medical teams say hospitals in several regions are struggling with shortages of supplies and staff.
Ambulance crews continue to operate in dangerous conditions as airstrikes target urban neighbourhoods.
Humanitarian organisations warn that repeated bombardments have placed enormous strain on Lebanon’s already fragile healthcare system.
Many hospitals are treating casualties from both missile strikes and collapsing buildings.
Civil defence teams have also been deployed to rescue survivors trapped under rubble after attacks.
Emergency workers say operations are often slowed by damaged roads and continuing aerial threats.
International aid groups estimate that hundreds of thousands of people have now been displaced across Lebanon.
Entire families have fled their homes following Israeli evacuation orders issued for large urban areas.
Many displaced residents are seeking shelter with relatives or in overcrowded public buildings.
Some have moved toward rural regions that are perceived as safer than major cities.
However, humanitarian groups warn that infrastructure in those areas is not prepared to host such large numbers.
Temporary shelters often lack reliable electricity, clean water and sanitation facilities.
Schools and community centres are increasingly being used to house displaced families.
Local volunteers and charities are distributing food and blankets to those arriving from evacuated districts.
The Lebanese government says the scale of displacement is creating a serious humanitarian emergency.
Officials warn that the situation could worsen if military operations continue expanding across the country.
International organisations are urging all parties to protect civilians and allow humanitarian access.
Diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent the conflict from spreading further in the region.
Several governments have called for restraint and renewed negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah.
However, both sides continue to exchange fire along the border areas.
Military analysts say the situation remains highly volatile and unpredictable.
Israeli officials insist that operations will continue until Hezbollah’s military capabilities are significantly reduced.
Hezbollah leaders, meanwhile, say they will continue confronting Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
Civilians living in Beirut’s southern suburbs remain caught between the escalating military confrontation.
Many residents say evacuation warnings force them to choose between leaving their homes or risking their lives.
For families with elderly relatives, children or limited financial resources, moving quickly can be extremely difficult.
Some residents say they have already been displaced multiple times during the conflict.
Each new evacuation order adds further uncertainty and fear about where safety can be found.
Local community leaders say the psychological toll of repeated warnings and strikes is growing.
Children in particular are experiencing trauma from constant explosions and displacement.
Teachers and counsellors report increased anxiety among young people who have been forced to leave their schools.
Despite the risks, some residents choose to remain in their homes rather than abandon their communities.
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Others continue to leave the affected neighbourhoods as military aircraft circle overhead.
Observers say the Beirut evacuation orders illustrate the widening impact of the conflict on civilian populations.
As fighting intensifies, the humanitarian consequences are expected to grow across Lebanon.
International pressure is mounting for a ceasefire to prevent further civilian suffering.
Until then, residents of Beirut’s threatened neighbourhoods face uncertainty as they wait to see whether the warnings will be followed by new strikes.
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