Following urgent warnings for residents to evacuate, Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on several areas in Baalbek on Wednesday afternoon.

The airstrikes impacted several neighborhoods, including Al-Assirah, Eyaat, Sheikh Habib, Sharawneh, Tal Al-Abyad, Ain Bouday, and Douris, as reported by the National News Agency (NNA). 

Reports from NNA indicated that drones were seen flying over Baalbek and its vicinity during the attacks.

Baalbek-Hermel Governor Bachir Khodr urged residents to leave the city and surrounding areas immediately for their safety. In a message shared through the Lebanese newspaper Annahar, Khodr acknowledged the psychological strain on citizens amid heightened tensions, particularly following recent threats from Israel.

“We must act with great wisdom and not allow this pressure to defeat us,” he stated.

Khodr described the current situation as potentially dangerous, urging residents to evacuate toward safer locations such as Arsal, Zahle, the North Governorate, or Akkar. He reassured citizens that many centers in Akkar have adequate capacity to accommodate evacuees. He added that the Ainata-Al Arz road and the highway leading to Zahle are secure routes.

The governor specifically advised against heading to the ancient ruins of Baalbek, emphasizing that it is located within a red zone as identified earlier by the Israeli army's evacuation warning.

سلسلة غارات اسرائيلية تستهدف #بعلبك pic.twitter.com/Alpg5gp8Nk

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) October 30, 2024