IDF Calls on Lebanese Civilians to Leave Areas Where Hezbollah Is Active

Latest Developments

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) called on Lebanese civilians to leave areas where Hezbollah is hiding weapons, the IDF announced in several statements on September 23. “Residents who are near or inside buildings and houses in which missiles and weapons are stored — move away from them immediately,” Israel’s spokesperson for Arabic media, Avichay Adraee, posted on social media. He added, “Hezbollah is lying to you and putting you in danger.” The IDF posted a map of an area in the Bekaa Valley where it was calling on civilians to leave. However, Hezbollah is reportedly paying civilians to stay in areas where the terrorist group is present. Meanwhile, the IDF’s Home Front Command continued restrictions on northern Israel, keeping half a million students at home due to the Hezbollah threats.

Expert Analysis

“The Israel Defense Forces are methodically increasing attacks on Hezbollah’s massive terrorist infrastructure in Lebanon. This comes after 11 months of Hezbollah attacks on Israel during which the Iranian-backed terrorist organization launched 8,000 rockets. The IDF is encouraging Lebanese civilians to evacuate those areas where Hezbollah has sought to hide weapons. This is an important step in ending the Hezbollah threat to Israel and the region.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“For years, Israel has raised concerns that Hezbollah is hiding weapons inside the homes of Lebanese civilians. This cynical tactic reflects Hezbollah’s deliberate strategy to conceal some of its advanced weaponry from Israeli detection. Such actions warrant strong condemnation from the international community.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

IDF Strikes 300 Hezbollah Terror Targets

The IDF struck 300 Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon on September 23. “The Israel Defense Forces on Monday morning said it launched ‘widespread’ waves of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, as it warned civilians to swiftly move away from homes used by the Iran-backed terror group to store weapons,” The Times of Israel reported. The strikes are part of an intensifying week-long campaign by Israel after the IDF eliminated key Hezbollah commanders in a strike on September 20. In a video address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the IDF’s goal was to “change the balance of power in the north” by taking out Hezbollah missiles. “This is exactly what we are doing. We are destroying thousands of missiles and rockets aimed at Israeli cities and Israeli citizens,” the prime minister said. Hezbollah launched several barrages of rockets at Israel on September 23, wounding one Israeli at the Golani junction east of the Sea of Galilee. Late in the afternoon, the IDF announced that some 80 rockets were launched against targets in Israel and the West Bank in the course of a single hour, many of which were “shot down by air defenses, while others impacted.”

Related Analysis

“Hezbollah Launches Fresh Barrage of Rocket Attacks Deep Into Northern Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“Top Hezbollah Commander and Radwan Force Leaders Eliminated in Israeli Air Strike on Beirut,” FDD Flash Brief

“15 Hezbollah Terrorists Killed with Aqil, Devastating Chain of Command,” FDD Flash Brief