Israel warns people to leave South Beirut

On Wednesday, November 6, the Israeli army issued an urgent evacuation notice to residents in two neighborhoods of Beirut’s southern suburbs, warning of imminent strikes targeting Hezbollah facilities. 

The message, delivered by Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee via a post on X (formerly Twitter), cautioned residents living near Hezbollah-affiliated sites to leave the area immediately.

“You are located near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah, against which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will act in the near future,” Adraee said, alongside a map marking the affected zones.

The warning coincided with a speech by Hezbollah’s newly appointed leader, Naim Qassem, who declared that the group has tens of thousands of fighters prepared for confrontation with Israel. Speaking to mark 40 days since the death of his predecessor, Qassem emphasized Hezbollah’s readiness, stating, “We have tens of thousands of trained resistance combatants,” and warned that no location in Israel was “off-limits” to their forces.

This development adds to heightened regional tensions as Israel prepares for potential escalation with Hezbollah, a powerful militant group that has consistently opposed Israeli influence in Lebanon and the wider region.