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Israel Issues First City-Wide Evacuation in Eastern Lebanon's Baalbek; Strikes Begin on Hezbollah Targets

Oct 30, 2024, 11:23 AM

The Israeli military has issued an evacuation warning to residents of Baalbek, a historic city in eastern Lebanon with a population of approximately 80,000, ahead of expected airstrikes on Hezbollah targets. The evacuation order also includes the nearby villages of Ain Bourday and Douris. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Arabic spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, shared a map and urged civilians to leave the area immediately via designated evacuation routes, emphasizing the intent to avoid civilian harm. This marks the first time an evacuation order has been issued for an entire Lebanese city. Following the warning, reports emerged of residents fleeing Baalbek and surrounding areas in panic. Subsequent reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes have begun targeting Hezbollah sites in Baalbek.