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On Friday, 28 March 2025, Colonel Avihai Edrai, head of the IDF Arabic Spokesperson’s Office, issued an urgent warning to residents of Dahiya, a southern suburb of Beirut. According to him, the Israeli Defence Forces are preparing to strike at facilities belonging to the Lebanese group Hezbollah in the area.
“If you are in the Hadath area, particularly in the building marked in red on the map provided, or in the neighbouring buildings, you are in the vicinity of Hizbullah facilities,” Edrai said in a statement. “For your safety and the safety of your family, you must leave these buildings immediately and move at least 300 metres away.”
The IDF also released a map clearly showing the area of potential danger. The warning was part of the standard practice of the Israeli army, which often calls on civilians to evacuate before strikes to minimise civilian casualties.
Known as one of Hezbollah’s strongholds, Dahiya district has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli operations due to the presence of the group’s military infrastructure. Residents of this densely populated suburb are used to tension, but the new warning has caused a wave of anxiety. Many rushed to leave their homes, fearing an imminent attack.
“Hezbollah has not yet responded to the IDF’s statement, but the organisation has previously accused Israel of “provocations” and “aggression against Lebanon”. Experts note that this incident could be another impetus for the aggravation of the already tense relations between the parties.
Will civilian casualties be avoided? As the people of Dakhiya prepare for the worst, the world is watching to see how events unfold in this troubled region.
