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Israeli Airstrike Alerts Create Panic and Uncertainty for Lebanese Residents

Photo : AP

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has placed an increasing burden on Lebanese civilians, who find themselves caught in the crossfire. As the war escalates, particularly at night when the Israeli military issues warnings for people to evacuate certain areas to avoid airstrikes, the sense of fear and confusion grows.

Recently, Moein Shreif, a well-known Lebanese folk and pop singer, was jolted awake in the early hours by a frantic call from a neighbor. The warning indicated that Israel intended to strike a nearby building in his middle-class suburb, known for its significant Hezbollah presence. Acting swiftly, Shreif, along with his wife and three children, fled their multi-story apartment without taking anything. Within moments of their departure, explosions could be heard as the targeted buildings crumbled.

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The backdrop to this alarming reality is the escalating exchanges of strikes between Israel and Hezbollah since the onset of the war in Gaza. Hezbollah has vowed to launch rockets into Israel until a cease-fire is achieved, while Israel claims it is fighting back to protect its citizens from these attacks, which have already displaced tens of thousands in Israel.

It was only in late September that Israel expanded its aerial campaign against Hezbollah significantly, prompting regular warnings to Lebanese civilians about impending airstrikes. However, human rights organizations have criticized these warnings as inadequate and often misleading, as they do not precede many actual airstrikes.

On September 23, Israel reportedly made 80,000 phone calls to Lebanese residents, warning them of possible strikes. The result was widespread panic: schools were closed, people rushed home, and on that day alone, over 500 casualties were reported, making it one of the deadliest days of airstrikes in Lebanon in decades. This accounted for approximately 25% of all Lebanese deaths over the past year, with women and children constituting a significant portion of those killed.

Following these alarming developments, on October 1, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for 27 villages in southern Lebanon, advising residents to relocate north of the Awali River. The messages included stark instructions such as “Save your lives,” prompting immediate responses from those in affected areas.

Salam, a mother of two from the village of Ain Ebel, found herself fleeing her home in response to the warnings. Despite Ain Ebel not yet being targeted by airstrikes, the fear instilled by the military's orders left her and her children terrified of returning home, especially following Israel's recent ground invasion.

The evacuation notices issued in Lebanon have been notably limited compared to those seen in Gaza. In both contexts, however, the warnings share a common theme: Israel claims it targets militant groups, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, that it alleges operate within civilian populations.

Most warnings from the Israeli military are disseminated through the social media accounts of its Arabic spokesperson and subsequently reported by Lebanese media outlets. The alerts generally instruct people to leave their homes “immediately,” often followed by airstrikes that damage not only the targeted areas but also neighboring regions.

According to the Lebanese government, the conflict has displaced approximately 1.2 million people, with many shelters exceeding capacity. One-quarter of Lebanese territory is now under military orders from Israel, leading to widespread uncertainty and disruption.

Human rights advocates have voiced concerns over Israel's evacuation orders, suggesting that such calls could be seen as a way to justify mass displacements and may imply that civilians who choose not to evacuate could be treated as combatants. Ramzi Kaiss from Human Rights Watch highlighted that while Israel usually issues warnings 30 to 90 minutes prior to strikes, it is still obligated to protect civilians who cannot evacuate due to physical constraints or other reasons.

Amnesty International has similarly criticized the Israeli practice of issuing blanket evacuation orders for entire towns, raising doubts about whether this strategy is aimed at facilitating mass displacement.

As the conflict progresses, the landscape of Beirut and its surrounding areas, once considered safe, has become increasingly vulnerable to airstrikes, with warnings now extending to neighborhoods that previously felt insulated from the violence.

Shreif’s experience illustrates the precarious nature of life for many Lebanese citizens. He received a warning just five minutes before the attack on his building, which he considers a stroke of luck, suggesting that without his neighbor's alert, his family might have faced grave consequences.

In another part of the country, residents of the Bekaa Valley received warnings to maintain a safe distance from their homes if they housed any weapons associated with Hezbollah. The warnings have taken various forms, including animated videos suggesting that civilians might unknowingly harbor weapons in their homes.

However, the inconsistency of warnings adds to the terror experienced by civilians. In some instances, strikes occur without any prior notice, leaving families vulnerable. An example is the airstrike on a residential building in Ain el-Delb, which resulted in significant casualties and destruction.

As the international community grapples with the escalating violence, many Lebanese citizens like Achraf Ramadan express a deep sense of despair, feeling abandoned as their homes are destroyed and their communities face relentless bombardment.

Oct. 11, 2024 12:48 p.m. 421

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