2 Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut's southern suburb as escalation in Lebanon continues

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) — The Israeli army carried out two airstrikes in a southern suburb of the capital Beirut on Friday, according to an Anadolu correspondent on the ground.

The strike on the Ghobeiry area follows Israeli urging residents in Beirut’s southern districts to evacuate under claims that Hezbollah operates facilities within these densely populated zones.

In a statement, Avichay Adraee, Israeli army spokesperson, said “to all residents of the southern suburb, particularly in the designated buildings in Ghobeiry and neighboring areas, you are near Hezbollah-related facilities.“

He said residents should evacuate immediately, staying at least 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the targeted zones.

In the past 24 hours, the Israeli army has issued five evacuation orders including several buildings across Beirut’s southern suburbs, namely areas in Haret Hreik and Burj al-Barajneh.

Israel launched an air campaign in Lebanon against what it claims are targets of the Hezbollah group in late September, in an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare.

Nearly 3,400 people have been killed, over 14,400 injured and more than 1 million people displaced by Israeli attacks since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel on Oct. 1 launched an incursion into southern Lebanon.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi