x
Middle East World

Lebanon: Middle of Night Warnings Become New Reality as Airstrikes Escalate

Lebanon: Middle of Night Warnings Become New Reality as Airstrikes Escalate
Source: AP Photo
  • PublishedOctober 12, 2024

The escalating war between Israel and Hezbollah is casting a long shadow over Lebanon, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. A disturbing new reality has emerged – warnings from the Israeli military, typically delivered in the dead of night, advising Lebanese residents to evacuate buildings and neighborhoods moments before airstrikes, The Associated Press reports.

Moein Shreif, a resident of a middle-class suburb south of Beirut, recounts his harrowing experience. At 3 am, a neighbor’s urgent call woke him, alerting him to an imminent Israeli strike on a nearby building. He, his wife, and their three children fled their apartment in the pre-dawn hours, only to witness the devastating aftermath minutes later. The building and the one next door were reduced to smoldering ruins.

While Israel and Hezbollah have been engaged in a daily exchange of strikes since the Gaza conflict began, it was only last month that Israel dramatically expanded its aerial campaign against Hezbollah, triggering a surge in warnings to the Lebanese population.

These warnings, delivered via phone calls and social media, have caused widespread panic. Schools have been shut down, and people rush home from work early, fearing the next strike. On September 23rd, Israel placed 80,000 calls to Lebanon, triggering widespread anxiety and resulting in the deadliest day of airstrikes in decades. Over 500 people were killed, nearly a quarter of the total casualties in Lebanon over the past year. The victims include women and children, who make up a significant portion of the death toll.

While Israel insists it is targeting Hezbollah militants and assets, human rights groups criticize the warnings as inadequate and misleading. Evacuation orders often come too late, leaving many with insufficient time to escape, and the strikes frequently impact areas beyond those specifically warned.

The consequences are dire. Over 1.2 million Lebanese citizens have been displaced, most since the escalation last month. Shelters are overflowing, with over 800 of the 1,000 facilities exceeding capacity. One quarter of Lebanese territory is now under Israeli military displacement orders, according to the UN.

Written By
Michelle Larsen