Israel warns residents in Beirut’s southern suburb to evacuate buildings ahead of airstrikes

​​​​​​​By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Israeli army ordered residents of three neighborhoods in southern Beirut to leave the areas Thursday ahead of airstrikes.

A statement ordered residents to stay 300 meters (984.25 feet) from several buildings in the neighborhoods of Hadath, Haret Hreik and Borj al-Barajneh.​​​​​​​

It attached a map of the targeted buildings, saying it would act against Hezbollah assets in the area.

Israeli forces have conducted near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah’s activities despite a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that was reached last November. The truce ended months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into a full-scale conflict in September.

Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of at least 208 people and injuries to more than 500 since the agreement.​​​​​​​

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Tel Aviv refused to comply. Israel still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.