The IDF on Tuesday afternoon started a third round of air strikes on Hezbollah, in both the Bekaa Valley in southern Lebanon, noting that cumulatively it has struck 200 additional targets since the morning, adding up to 1,500 targets since Monday morning.
Further, the IDF said that it has dropped over 2,000 munitions on these "targets" with sometimes one target representing multiple terror assets, rockets, or rocket launchers.
Moreover, the IDF issued two rounds of public evacuation warnings to Lebanese civilians to leave village areas where Hezbollah has hidden weapons or continues to operate.
The second warning said that civilians should not return even if there is a pause in attacks, until the IDF gives notice that there will be no additional attacks.
This second warning effectively will likely lead to a complete evacuation of the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon areas under attack by anyone who had not already left on Monday.
Panicked Lebanese citizens are fleeing towards Beirut from the South.I'm sorry, but Beirut may not be much safer if this keeps escalating.pic.twitter.com/dEqzNP27Ox
— ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) September 23, 2024
In addition, this second warning could also lay the groundwork for a ground invasion by the IDF, with calls in Israel increasing for such action.
Secondary explosions were visible during IDF attacks, indicating many weapons caches inside the buildings.
Many Lebanese citizens were recorded fleeing in their vehicles from the Israel border towards the center of the country. According to reports, many vehicles were stuck in traffic jams for over five hours, with some people sleeping in their vehicles as they ran out of food and gas.
Responses to evacuations
The fleeing of people in vehicles drew criticism from journalists. Michael Young, a senior editor from the Carnegie Middle East Center, wrote: "The fact that Hezbollah members asked people to flee, showing that the party cannot protect them, after claiming to be able to do so, will have repercussions to watch out for."
Randa Slim, a Lebanese-American expert in conflict resolution and dialogue, wrote on X/Twitter: "The anger against Hezbollah is mounting. If you are not up to fighting Israel & defending us, why drag us into this war? Lebanon?"
Nervana Mahmoud, PhD in Islamic and Middle Eastern affairs, wrote: "Hezbollah has lost its invincible image inside Lebanon and the outer Arab world."
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, the number of deaths since large scale bombings started in recent days has reached over 550.
It was reported that the number of people fleeing the south of the country reached 16,500. It was also noted that the number of shelter centers in schools amounted to 150.
On the Israeli home front, there were hits earlier from Hezbollah rockets in Kiryat Shmona, in Tamra, in Nof Hagalil, in Elyakim, and likely in an IDF base at Netafim near Tabieras.
The IDF has not provided an updated count of rockets for the full day, but the numbers seemed to be approaching 100 rockets after over 50 were fired in the morning.
However, there have been no Israeli deaths so far Tuesday from rockets, while there have been a small number of individuals wounded.
Israel Fire and Rescue said several fires broke out across the North, causing direct damage to housing and infrastructure.
Maariv and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.