Israel Warns Beirut Residents to Flee as Iran Conflict Spreads

The escalating war involving Iran, Israel, and regional allies has widened, with Israel ordering residents to evacuate parts of southern Beirut while Azerbaijan reported drone strikes on its territory.

The Israeli military on Thursday issued an urgent warning to residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, commonly known as Dahiyeh, to leave the area immediately ahead of anticipated airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions. The neighbourhood is considered a stronghold of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

The evacuation order affects several densely populated districts, including Burj al-Barajneh, Hadath, Haret Hreik, and Chiyah. Israeli military officials urged civilians to move north or east of the Lebanese capital for their safety as operations intensify.

The warning triggered panic across the city, with thousands of residents fleeing their homes, causing heavy traffic and chaos on major roads as families attempted to escape the area before possible bombardment.

The development comes as the conflict between Iran and Israel entered another intense phase, with both sides exchanging missile and drone attacks across the region. Hezbollah, which backs Iran, has also launched rockets and drones into northern Israel, prompting Israeli retaliatory strikes across southern Lebanon and Beirut’s suburbs.

Lebanese authorities say the violence has already killed dozens of people and displaced tens of thousands since fighting intensified earlier in the week.

Meanwhile, the conflict has begun spilling into neighbouring countries. Azerbaijan said two drones struck its western exclave of Nakhchivan, with one hitting the airport terminal and another landing near a school in a nearby village. Azerbaijani officials accused Iran of launching the drones from its territory, although Tehran denied responsibility.

Global concerns are growing that the conflict could spread further across the Middle East and beyond, drawing in more regional and international actors and threatening global energy supplies and security.