Exodus from Southern Lebanon

Israeli bombardment causes hundreds of casualties and forces Lebanon's population to flee to the borders with neighboring Syria

Following a hail of Israeli bombs and missiles in areas of southern and eastern Lebanon that killed more than 500 people, tens of thousands of Lebanese began fleeing their homes for safer places along the border with Syria. TV channels broadcast footage showing six-lane highways toward the capital Beirut completely jammed with cars.

Israeli raids cost the life of another senior leader of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, Hussein al-Nader, who was killed in an attack by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Lebanon. The Palestinian group itself said in a statement calling for “continuing the path of resistance until liberation and an end to the occupation.”

Several airlines, including Qatar Airways and Egypt Air, have announced the suspension of flights to and from Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport following the escalation of border clashes between Israel and the pro-Iranian Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah. Dozens of countries around the world, from the USA to Russia, from Brazil to Switzerland, have advised their compatriots in Lebanon to leave the country as soon as possible, while flights are still available, and advised their citizens to avoid traveling to Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on Lebanese civilians to leave conflict zones and return to their homes after the end of fighting with Hezbollah. “Israel’s war is not directed against you,” Netanyahu said in the video, addressing Lebanon’s civilian population. “For too long Hezbollah has used you as a human shield, placing missiles in your living rooms and shells in your garages. These rockets and missiles are aimed directly at our cities, at our citizens,” emphasized the Israeli prime minister, according to whom “in order to protect our people from Hezbollah attacks, we must eliminate these threats.” Netanyahu urged the Lebanese to “take seriously” the warning. “Don’t let Hezbollah jeopardize your life and the lives of your loved ones. Don’t let Hezbollah jeopardize Lebanon,” the Jewish prime minister concluded.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Ministry of Education ordered the closure of some public and private schools in the capital, as well as in Tripoli, and cities in the east, while the Ministry of Interior decided to use some of them as shelters for displaced persons. As of Tuesday, September 24, schools will be closed. The government also ordered several hospitals to cancel all non-urgent surgeries and prepare to receive and treat the large flow of wounded.