Israeli army orders civilians in Lebanon’s Baalbek to leave ahead of airstrikes

By Anadolu staff

JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli army ordered civilians in Baalbek in eastern Lebanon to immediately leave their areas ahead of airstrikes.

Military spokesman Avichay Adraee said on X that residents of the city and the nearby towns of Ain Bourday and Douris must leave the area through routes defined by the Israeli army.

He warned that the army will “forcefully operate" in the targeted areas against what he calls Hezbollah assets there.

An important urban center in the Bekaa Valley, Baalbek is famed for its towering Roman ruins. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to over 100,000 people.

Previous Israeli airstrikes in Douris have destroyed some ancient sites in the area.

Israel last month launched a massive air campaign in Lebanon against what it claims are Hezbollah targets in an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and the group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on Gaza.

Over 2,700 people have been killed and nearly 12,500 injured in Israeli attacks since October last year, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict on Oct. 1 by launching an incursion into southern Lebanon.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar