War in the Middle East: Israeli army calls for immediate evacuation of southern suburbs of Beirut

The Israeli army called early this Saturday, October 5, 2024, for residents of the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Lebanese capital, to evacuate immediately.

The armed movement Hezbollah claimed early this Saturday, October 5, 2024, that it was engaged in clashes with Israeli troops on the Lebanese border, after previously claiming to have forced Israeli soldiers to "retreat" in this area.

“Israeli enemy soldiers tried again to advance towards the vicinity of the Adaysseh village municipality” and “the clashes continue”, the group said in a statement.

Explosion, smoke

Reuters witnesses said an explosion was heard shortly after Israeli alert and smoke rising over Beirut's southern suburbs.

Israel has issued several alerts asking people to evacuate buildings in the Bourj al Barajneh, Choueifat and Haret Hreik neighborhoods.

AFP footage shows smoke rising from the area near the airport.

Ongoing fighting

These strikes come as Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hezbollah.

The Lebanese Shiite movement reported in a statement issued early this Saturday, October 5, 2024 that the Israeli army was trying to infiltrate the village of Adaïsseh, in southern Lebanon, and that fighting was underway.