Israeli Military Evacuations Impact 32% of Lebanon's Area
Recent analysis by Al Jazeera has revealed that evacuation warnings issued by the Israeli military have significantly affected 32% of Lebanon's total area. The Israeli army, through spokesman Avichay Adraee, called for the evacuation of 129 villages across southern Lebanon, particularly in the Nabatieh governorate, which constitutes 8% of the country's land. This directive also extended to regions like the Bekaa Valley and the southern suburbs of Beirut, citing potential threats from Hezbollah.
The maps provided by the Sanad News Monitoring and Verification Agency illustrate that the evacuation calls have led to mass displacement towards northern Lebanon and the Syrian border. As of October 23, 2023, residents were urged to evacuate areas near buildings allegedly used by Hezbollah, with specific instructions becoming increasingly detailed over time.
Among the affected areas, the Tyre district saw the highest impact, with 75% of its villages receiving evacuation warnings, while the Jezzine district was the least affected at 5%. The evacuation rates varied across districts, with 56% of Marjeyoun and 70% of Bint Jbeil being evacuated. Notably, the Israeli military did not provide clear safe routes for evacuees, raising concerns about the safety of those who remain in their homes.
Amnesty International's Secretary General, Agnes Callamard, criticized these evacuation warnings, labeling them as misleading and emphasizing that civilians unable to evacuate due to various constraints should still be protected under international humanitarian law.
