Israel continues airstrikes; warns people in Lebanon to evacuate weapon storage areas
Israel’s military advised civilians to steer clear of Hezbollah locations in southern Lebanon as it carries out attacks, while there are reports of phone alerts being sent throughout the country.
On Monday, the Israeli military announced that over 100 airstrikes were carried out in southern and eastern Lebanon, with plans for additional attacks against the Iran-supported militia responsible for firing rockets into northern Israel.
Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, announced on Monday that the army had carried out significant attacks on Hezbollah positions due to their attempts to launch missiles. The Israeli government has announced a change in focus towards battling Hezbollah in order to facilitate the return of approximately 60,000 evacuated Israelis from the border regions.
Also read: Israel-Hezbollah exchange heavy fire as conflict escalates
Israeli Defence Minister urges people to stay composed
Yoav Gallant, the Defence Minister of Israel, urged the people to stay composed as the military expanded its attack.
“We are escalating our assaults in Lebanon until we succeed in bringing the northern residents back to their homes unharmed. It’s a time for the Israeli public to demonstrate calmness,” Gallant said in a video published by his office.
Also read: ‘If they have not understood the message…’: Netanyahu’s warning to Hezbollah
Residents in Beirut and other areas receiving telephone alerts from Israeli forces
According to the National News Agency of Lebanon, residents in Beirut and various regions are receiving telephone alerts from Israeli forces, instructing them to evacuate promptly.
The Information Minister’s office in Beirut was told through a landline call with a recorded message to evacuate the building to prevent an air strike, as reported by Ziad Makary’s office.
Also read: Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil dies in Israeli air attack: Report
John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House, stated that the US continues to support finding a diplomatic resolution and cautioned Israel to consider alternative methods for allowing residents to go back to their homes in the north.
Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem told mourners at the funeral of one of the group’s commanders killed last week in Beirut: “We have entered a new phase, the title of which is the open-ended battle of reckoning.”
