ISTANBUL

The Israeli army ordered residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs on Thursday to evacuate their homes immediately ahead of new airstrikes in the Lebanese capital.

“Residents of the southern suburbs of Beirut – save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately,” Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on the US social media company X.

Adraee specifically urged residents of the neighborhoods of Burj al-Barajneh and Hadath to head east toward Mount Lebanon via the Beirut–Damascus Road.

Residents of Haret Hreik and Shiyah were ordered to move north toward Tripoli along the Beirut-Tripoli highway or east toward Mount Lebanon via the Metn expressway.

The Israeli army warned residents not to head south, saying that moving south could put their lives at risk.

“We will notify you at the appropriate time when you can return to your homes,” the statement added.