Israel evacuation Baalbek/ Baalbek conflict/ Israel Lebanon conflict/ UNRWA ban Israel/ Lebanon casualties/ Newslooks/ LEBANON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel has issued an evacuation alert for Baalbek, an ancient city in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, as hostilities with Hezbollah intensify. This first-of-its-kind warning comes as Israel’s ground operations expand. Meanwhile, Norway is calling for international clarity on Israel’s obligations toward Palestinians under humanitarian law.
Israel Evacuation Warning for Baalbek: Quick Looks
- Evacuation warning: Israel urges residents to leave Baalbek and surrounding areas in Lebanon.
- Conflict escalation: Hostilities with Hezbollah have intensified since October, following Israel’s invasion.
- UNRWA ban reaction: Norway seeks international response to Israel’s ban on the U.N. refugee agency for Palestinians.
- Civilian casualties: The conflict’s toll is rising, with thousands reported dead and wounded in Lebanon and Gaza.
Israel Orders Evacuation of Lebanon’s Baalbek Amid Escalating Conflict
Deep Look
In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israel issued an evacuation warning on Wednesday for residents of Baalbek, a major city in eastern Lebanon, along with surrounding regions and key travel routes in the Bekaa Valley. The evacuation zone includes the ancient Roman temple complex in Baalbek, a UNESCO World Heritage site, adding cultural concerns to an already complex situation. Israel’s warning follows a drone strike that targeted a van on the Aaraya highway near Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, and another strike on a vehicle in Bchamoun, approximately six miles southeast of Beirut.
The conflict, which began last year with Hezbollah launching rockets into Israel in support of Hamas, has since escalated into one of the region’s most intense military engagements. Israel responded with a series of airstrikes and a ground invasion into southern Lebanon in early October, leading to significant casualties. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, more than 2,790 Lebanese have died, with over 12,700 wounded since the conflict began on October 8, 2023.
Civilian Impact and Escalating Measures
The current conflict has left towns and cities in the Bekaa Valley increasingly vulnerable. Baalbek, historically rich with ancient Roman architecture, is particularly at risk as the Israeli military expands its ground operations. Lebanese media reported that the recent drone strikes on the Aaraya highway and in Bchamoun ignited flames but did not immediately disclose the intended targets or potential casualties.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, in a statement on Wednesday, offered condolences to the Lebanese people, describing the escalating violence as “a tragedy for all of humanity.” The death toll in Gaza from the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 43,000, according to Palestinian officials, with thousands more wounded as Israeli airstrikes continue.
International Response and the UNRWA Ban
International voices have increasingly called for clarity on Israel’s actions in the region. The Norwegian government has called for a definitive interpretation of Israel’s responsibilities under international law regarding humanitarian aid to Palestinian territories. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that any interference with U.N. and humanitarian organizations’ ability to operate in Palestine “undermines the Palestinians’ right to vital aid.”
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides essential services to Palestinians across the Middle East, faces a legislative ban from operating within Israel. The Israeli parliament recently passed this ban, accusing UNRWA of harboring Hamas militants who allegedly misuse the agency’s resources. However, UNRWA has denied these allegations, maintaining that it operates with full neutrality. The UNRWA ban has spurred reactions from international leaders, with Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide highlighting that humanitarian law should prevent any country from disregarding its obligations to civilians in conflict zones.
Norway’s proposal to bring the issue to the United Nations General Assembly includes seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on Israel’s duties as an occupying power to ensure humanitarian aid reaches the Palestinian population. Norwegian officials have garnered support for this initiative, underlining the importance of maintaining humanitarian rights and aid access amid ongoing conflicts.
Casualties and Damage Across the Region
The situation has resulted in continued casualties on both sides, with residents on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border sustaining injuries. In Metula, an Israeli town near Lebanon, a rocket from Lebanon wounded two men on Wednesday, with one seriously injured by shrapnel, according to officials at Rambam Hospital in Haifa. The incident underscores the ongoing threats along the northern Israeli border as Hezbollah continues its attacks in support of Hamas.
With tensions expected to rise, Lebanese civilians in Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley now face evacuation as both sides brace for further confrontations. Israel’s expanded operations and evacuation warnings mark a pivotal shift in a conflict that has already affected tens of thousands across Lebanon, Gaza, and Israel, leaving communities under threat and sparking urgent calls for international intervention.
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