Thousands of Lebanese civilians fled their homes early Monday after Israel issued evacuation orders covering more than 50 towns and villages across eastern and southern Lebanon, warning of imminent military strikes as regional tensions continue to escalate.
Heavy traffic congestion was reported across major routes leading into Beirut and the southern city of Sidon, where long lines of vehicles formed as families attempted to escape areas identified by the Israeli military as potential targets.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) instructed residents to immediately leave their homes and move at least 1,000 metres away from populated villages to open areas, warning that individuals near Hezbollah fighters or military infrastructure would be at risk.
“For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately,” the military said in its warning, adding that remaining near Hezbollah positions or assets could endanger civilian lives.
The evacuation directive, issued in the early hours of Monday morning, triggered widespread displacement across southern Lebanon, with residents scrambling to gather belongings and find safe routes out of affected communities.
Speaking to the BBC via voice messages while fleeing with his family, a 55-year-old shop owner from southern Lebanon described scenes of fear and confusion as people rushed to leave.
“It’s absolutely miserable,” said the father of three, who requested anonymity for security reasons.
“We were just sitting at home when suddenly everything changed. We were shocked. We quickly packed our things, woke up the children and got into the car.”
He said roads quickly became blocked as large numbers of residents attempted to leave simultaneously.
“Now we’re stuck in traffic because of the massive displacement from the south,” he said.
“We are driving without knowing where we are heading or where we will end up.”
The man added that his parents, who live in the Beirut suburb of Dahieh, were also attempting to flee but remained trapped amid growing congestion.
“We are worn out having to leave our homes and our land time and time again,” he said, reflecting exhaustion shared by many Lebanese families displaced during repeated rounds of regional conflict.
Images from Beirut and Sidon showed long queues of vehicles stretching along brightly lit highways as families evacuated overnight.
Cars packed with belongings moved slowly through crowded streets, while others remained stationary amid gridlock.
Local authorities reported increasing pressure on infrastructure as large numbers of displaced residents sought refuge in safer areas farther north.
The evacuation orders came as Israel warned of expanded military operations targeting Hezbollah positions following escalating cross-border exchanges of fire linked to the widening Iran-Israel conflict.
Israeli officials have accused Hezbollah of coordinating attacks alongside Iranian operations across the region, raising fears that Lebanon could become a broader front in the ongoing confrontation.
Residents of dozens of named villages including communities in Tyre, Bint Jbeil, West Bekaa and Baalbek districts were specifically instructed to evacuate immediately.
The warning signals a potential intensification of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanese territory, prompting concerns among humanitarian agencies about a new wave of internal displacement in a country already grappling with economic crisis and political instability.
As dawn approached in Lebanon, thousands remained on the move, uncertain when or whether they would be able to return home.
