Israel Strikes South Beirut Following Military Evacuation Order

Amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, displaced children draw at a school-turned shelter in Beirut on October 15, 2024. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Israeli Military Strikes Hit South Beirut

On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, strikes hit south Beirut, as witnessed by an AFP journalist, less than an hour after the Israeli military ordered residents to evacuate part of the Lebanese capital.

Black smoke billowed from between buildings in Haret Hreik after the initial strike, following a directive from Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee for people to evacuate the area.

Shortly after, a second strike was witnessed in south Beirut by the same AFP journalist.

Prior to the strikes, Adraee wrote in Arabic addressing Haret Hreik residents, “You are located near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah, which the IDF (Israeli military) will work against in the near future.”

Escalation of Israeli Bombing in Lebanon

The Israeli military has intensified its bombardment of south Beirut in recent weeks, conducting deadly strikes not only in the capital but across Lebanon.

According to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry figures, at least 1,356 individuals have lost their lives in Lebanon since the escalation of Israeli bombing last month, although the actual toll is expected to be higher.

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