In the latest escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah, the Israeli military has confirmed that it carried out significant airstrikes on what it described as “terrorist targets belonging to Hezbollah’s Air Force Unit 127” in the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahiyeh. The operation, which marks one of the most intense aerial assaults in recent years, has sparked fear, mass evacuations, and international condemnation.
According to Lebanese media and eyewitnesses, the bombardment began shortly after Israeli authorities issued urgent evacuation orders for residents in four different areas within Dahiyeh. These warnings instructed civilians to evacuate their homes and maintain a distance of at least 800 meters from eight designated buildings believed to be Hezbollah-affiliated. However, in practice, the strikes targeted a wider area, putting the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians at risk.
Thick black smoke was seen rising into the sky above the densely populated neighborhoods, and loud explosions were heard throughout the night. Panic quickly set in as traffic congestion hindered evacuation efforts, leaving many residents scrambling for safety in the dark, some even abandoning their vehicles in desperation.
Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut, is home to a large portion of Lebanon’s Shia Muslim population and is considered a stronghold of Hezbollah. While Israeli air raids in this area are not new, this latest strike is being described by local residents and observers as the largest in scope and impact. The timing of the operation, occurring late at night and on the eve of a major religious holiday, has further fueled accusations of collective punishment and intentional terrorizing of civilians.
Lebanese officials have strongly condemned the attacks, calling them a flagrant violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a breach of the fragile truce that has been in place. “This is not self-defense. This is aggression,” a Lebanese government spokesperson stated. “Targeting civilian areas and forcing families out of their homes in the middle of the night is a crime under international law.”
Human rights organizations have also expressed deep concern over the humanitarian implications of the strikes. With thousands displaced and infrastructure damaged, the long-term consequences for Dahiyeh’s population could be devastating if the situation escalates further.
For many residents, the Israeli warnings to evacuate provided little real protection. “They tell us to leave, but where can we go in the middle of the night, with our children, with no transportation?” asked one woman, who had fled her home carrying only a small bag and her sleeping child. Others described the attacks as “psychological warfare” meant to break the will of the population.
As the international community watches closely, there are growing calls for restraint on both sides. Diplomats fear that continued escalation could lead to a broader regional conflict, especially given the volatile nature of the Lebanon-Israel border and the ongoing tensions across the region.
The full extent of the damage and casualties remains unclear as emergency services work to assess the situation. For now, the people of Dahiyeh face yet another night of uncertainty, bracing for what may come next.
This report is based on information from Al Jazeera and local Lebanese media.