Israeli evacuation order for Beirut's southern suburbs sparks panic

Israeli evacuation order for Beirut's southern suburbs sparks panic 1 hour ago Share Save Alice Cuddy , Senior international reporter, Beirut and David Gritten Share Save The Israeli military has ordered hundreds of thousands of people to leave Beirut's southern suburbs, a stronghold of Hezbollah, as it steps up strikes targeting the Iran-backed armed group across Lebanon. "Save your lives, evacuate your homes immediately," the military's Arabic spokesperson wrote on X, apparently signalling plans for intense bombardment. Huge traffic jams formed on main roads heading north and south as panicked residents complied with the unprecedented blanket order covering the area. On Wednesday, the military told all residents of a huge swathe of southern Lebanon near the Israeli border to leave ahead of a much-anticipated ground incursion. Follow live updates Israel tells people in large parts of southern Lebanon to leave ahead of attacks Battered and isolated, Hezbollah drags Lebanon into another war Mohammed al-Khaouzam was among those stuck in traffic trying to flee Beirut's southern suburbs on Thursday afternoon. "We're coming from Bir Hassan. They [the Israeli military] issued a warning so that's why we're leaving," he told the BBC. Khaouzam, who is originally from Syria, is heading north with his wife and children. He described Lebanon as his "second country". "May God help everyone. May God help all of the Lebanese," he said out of his car window. A woman driving north said her children were in Beirut and had called her telling her about the warning to leave the suburbs of Chiyah, Burj al-Barajneh, Haret Hreik and Hadath. She said she was going to stay with them, hoping it would be safe. "Is there any place to go? What should I do?" she asked. Lebanese authorities have said at least 102 people have been killed in Israeli strikes over the past four days. There have been no reports of fatalities by Israeli authorities. Israeli aircraft have carried out waves of strikes tar...