Israel Warns Beirut’s Southern Suburbs May Face Khan Younis-Like Destruction, Orders Evacuations

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has warned that the southern suburbs of Beirut “will soon be like Khan Yunis,” asserting that Hezbollah has “made a mistake and will pay a heavy price.” The statements arrive amid escalating tensions and reported evacuation orders issued to residents of several Beirut neighborhoods.

Smotrich, in a recorded message posted on X, stated that the Israeli army has shifted from evacuating Israeli settlements to “evacuating the southern suburbs,” referencing evacuation orders issued to residents of Burj al-Barajneh, al-Hadath, Haret Hreik, and Shiyah in the southern suburbs of Beirut. The remarks were made during a field visit to settlements near the northern border.

The warning echoes the scale of destruction seen in Khan Yunis, where, over two years of the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip – which began in October 2023 – approximately 90% of the area was reportedly destroyed. Large areas were leveled, and most civilian infrastructure was completely eliminated, turning vast regions into mountains of rubble.

Smotrich added, “A year ago we evacuated residents of the north, today we are issuing evacuation notices to residents of south Lebanon and the suburbs… and soon the suburbs will look like Khan Yunis. Hezbollah made a mistake and will pay a heavy price.”

The minister also indicated that ongoing operations in Iran and Lebanon aim to “cut off the head of the octopus and its arm at the same time.”

The Israeli Channel 15 reported that security sources indicated the military operations in Lebanon are expanding, with the army reinforcing its forces at 10 strategic points in southern Lebanon.

Evacuation of the Southern Suburbs

The Israeli army issued evacuation orders to residents of the southern suburbs of Beirut earlier today.

The army stated: “Residents of the southern suburbs, specifically Burj al-Barajneh, al-Hadath, Haret Hreik, and Shiyah, must evacuate their homes.”

These evacuation orders led to widespread displacement from the southern suburbs, causing significant traffic congestion on roads leading out of Beirut.

Israel and the United States began a war on Iran last Saturday, which Tel Aviv termed “Lion’s Roar,” whereas Washington called it “Epic Rage,” resulting in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and prominent security and military officials, as well as civilians. Tehran responded with “Operation True Promise 4.”

Two days after the war began, Hezbollah announced that it targeted a military site in the northern Israeli city of Haifa by launching a barrage of rockets and drones, stating that the attack was “in response to the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei” and what it described as continued Israeli aggression against Lebanon.