In southern Lebanon, families rushed to escape escalating military actions as the Israeli military targeted positions linked to Hezbollah. Many residents responded to evacuation warnings conveyed through text messages and voice recordings from the military, urging them to vacate areas near Hezbollah locations.
Zahra Sawli, a student from Nabatieh, described the bombardment as relentless, stating, “I woke up at 6 am to the sound of bombing. By noon, the intensity increased significantly, and I witnessed numerous strikes nearby.” Despite the chaos, she chose to stay put, highlighting the plight of those trapped in traffic while trying to flee.
By midday, roads leading north to Beirut were heavily congested, with vehicles surging towards the capital. Disturbing imagery revealed residents walking along the southern Tyre beach while smoke billowed from strikes inland. One family of five reached Beirut on a single motorbike from their community in the south, visibly exhausted from their journey.
As of Monday evening, the Lebanese health ministry reported 492 fatalities and over 1,600 injuries due to the bombardment, including at least 35 children. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) disclosed they executed 1,100 strikes within 24 hours, including a targeted airstrike in southern Beirut aimed at a high-ranking Hezbollah commander.
An atmosphere of anxiety pervaded Beirut as displaced individuals ascended from the south with belongings packed atop their vehicles, while some locals began to leave. Israel’s warnings extended to diverse areas, including Hamra, home to government institutions and educational facilities, advising civilians to evacuate neighborhoods suspected of harboring Hezbollah armaments.
Parents hurried to retrieve their children from schools after receiving evacuation advisories. One father voiced his concerns, indicating, “We’re here because of the phone calls. The situation is not reassuring.”
Mohammed, a Palestinian man evacuating Beirut with his wife, voiced his uncertainty about remaining in the capital stating, “In Lebanon, nowhere is safe. They’re threatening bombings everywhere. So where do we go?”
The growing influx of people is straining resources, leading to schools being converted into emergency shelters. Government orders facilitated this transition in Beirut, Tripoli, and eastern Lebanon. Reportedly, a public school in Bir Hasan was being prepared to accommodate those fleeing the Bekaa Valley, another Hezbollah stronghold facing Israeli attacks.
As conditions worsen, hospitals are suspending non-essential surgeries to brace for incoming casualties.
Despite the pervasive tension, a sense of resilience manifested among some civilians. “If total war occurs, we should unite as Lebanese people, regardless of political differences, since our country faces destruction,” articulated one defiant resident. Others expressed a resigned acceptance of the violence.
In the southern Beirut suburb of Dahieyh, a man with years of experience from past conflicts reflected, “I survived all the wars since 1975. It’s normal for me. I will not leave; I will stay in my house.”
