Israel issues warnings ahead of possible attacks in Beirut 

Israel military authorities have warned Lebanese residents of Hadath neighbourhood in Southern Beirut to leave their homes, ahead of the first attack since the November truce, reports Middle East Eye. 

Avichay Adrae, the military’s Arabic language spokesperson, issued “immediate” expulsion warning to  “those in the southern suburb of Beirut, especially in the Hadath neighbourhood”.

“To everyone present in the building marked in red as shown on the map and the buildings adjacent to it: You are present near facilities belonging to Hezbollah,” Adraee wrote on X (formerly twitter), along with a picture of the site in question.

“For your safety and the safety of your families, you are obliged to evacuate these buildings immediately and stay away from them at a distance of no less than 300 meters, as shown on the map.”

A “preliminary” air strike has hit Hadath today, according to Al-Jadeed News, in what could be the first shelling of Beirut since a ceasefire was reached in November. 

The Lebanese education ministry instructed all public and private schools to close ahead of the potential attack, reports the State-run National News Agency.

According to Reuters, the order created a state of confusion in the area, causing traffic jams, as residents brace for a potential escalation. 

This follows recent bombardments in Southern Lebanon causing eight deaths, after the Israeli military intercepted rockets on March 22nd, which were attributed to hezbollah. 

Hezbollah denied any involvement in the rocket incident that targeted northern Israel, claiming it was part of an Israeli stunt to resume the conflict. 

Under the ceasefire conditions agreed in November, Hezbollah was to dismantle its military installation in southern Lebanon in exchange for the withdrawal of all Israeli forces in the area, allowing national Lebanese forces to take control of the area. 

Despite the agreement Israel has repeatedly targeted the area, accusing Hezbollah of not having held its side of the bargain. 

Middle East Eye, Reuters