By Khaled Yousef
BEIRUT (AA) - The Israeli army on Sunday ordered the evacuation of residents from buildings in Hadath and Borj al-Barajneh areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs, citing alleged links to Hezbollah.
In a statement, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned residents: “You must evacuate these buildings and those adjacent to them immediately and move at least 500 meters away.”
“To all residents in the southern suburb area, specifically in the buildings marked on the attached maps and nearby buildings in the Hadath and Borj al-Barajneh areas,” Adraee added.
He claimed the targeted areas housed "facilities and interests belonging to Hezbollah," signaling further Israeli strikes in the region.
Israel has escalated its airstrikes in Lebanon against what it claims are Hezbollah targets, an escalation of year-long warfare with the Lebanese group since the start of the Gaza war last year.
More than 3,600 victims have been killed by Israeli attacks in Lebanon, with more than 15,300 injured and over 1 million displaced since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.
Tel Aviv expanded the conflict by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.
*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala