Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatens destruction of southern Beirut suburbs as evacuation orders affect 500,000 residents.
Israeli Minister Makes Threat Against Beirut Suburbs
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that the southern suburbs of Beirut, considered a Hezbollah stronghold, could be destroyed like Gaza.
“Beirut’s suburbs will resemble Gaza,” the right-wing politician stated in a video posted online, referencing Khan Younis in southern Gaza, which was destroyed during the Israel-Hamas war. “Hezbollah made a mistake and will pay a high price for it. We are striking at the head of the Iranian octopus, we will cut off Hezbollah’s arm,” he added.
Mass Evacuation Ordered in Southern Beirut
On Thursday, the Israeli army ordered all residents to evacuate southern Beirut suburbs. Previous evacuation orders in Beirut or its surroundings targeted specific buildings that later became Israeli military targets. The current order covers four districts affecting approximately half a million people, with residents mass-exiting the city.
Lebanon Reports Over 70 Deaths from Israeli Attacks
Lebanese authorities reported that since Israel and the US began attacks in Lebanon, at least 77 people have died. All victims were from Israeli shelling of alleged Hezbollah positions, which is an Iranian ally stationed in southern Lebanon.
Diplomatic Efforts Amid Escalating Conflict
On Thursday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with US Ambassador Michel Issa to discuss the current situation. Aoun reportedly requested US intervention to stop Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
Journalist Comments on Israel’s Military Actions
“There is every indication that Israel intends to deal with Hezbollah, which joined the war after the US-Israeli attack on Iran. The war in autumn 2024 weakened the Shiite organization, just as the war in June 2025 weakened Iran. Now the Israelis are aiming to deal with enemies in the manner of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israel has the right to self-defense, but the same right imposes limits that Israel does not observe. Destroying cities, displacing tens of thousands of people exceeds these limits,” journalist Jarosław Kociszewski commented.