UPDATE - Israeli army orders evacuation of Beirut’s southern suburb, 30 towns in southern Lebanon

CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, ADDS DETAILS

By Tarek Chouiref

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Israeli army warned residents of the Haret Hreik area in Beirut’s southern suburbs late Monday to evacuate immediately ahead of what it described as renewed targeting of the area, according to a statement by its spokesperson for Arabic media, Avichay Adraee.

Earlier Monday, the army warned residents of 30 towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of planned strikes.

In a post on the US social media company X’s platform, Adraee called on residents to leave immediately and head north beyond the designated line of villages shown on a map attached to the statement.

He claimed that Hezbollah’s activities were forcing the army to act “without any intention of harming” civilians.

The towns listed in the warning include Naqoura, Bint Jbeil, Maroun al-Ras, Aita al-Shaab, Mays al-Jabal and several others across southern Lebanon.