The IDF spokesperson announced that Thursday night, the Israel Air Force struck underground facilities used by Hezbollah for the production and storage of unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as a drone manufacturing workshop located in Dahieh and southern Lebanon.
Dahieh (literally “the southern suburb”) is a predominantly Shia Muslim area located in the southern part of Beirut, within Lebanon’s Baabda District. The area is a stronghold of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which maintains a significant presence and influence there.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Office reported that Hezbollah’s air unit has launched over 1,000 drones equipped with explosives and surveillance tools toward Israeli territory during the recent hostilities.
“Despite the understandings outlined in the agreement between Israel and Lebanon, Hezbollah’s aerial unit continues its terrorist activities and is actively expanding its capabilities,” the army spokesperson said.
The IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Col. Avichai Adraee, issued an urgent warning to the residents of Dahieh. “Anyone located in the building marked in red on the map, or in adjacent buildings in the neighborhoods of Al-Hadath, Haret Hreik, and Bourj al-Barajneh, should be aware that these are near Hezbollah facilities. For your safety and that of your families, you must evacuate these buildings immediately and maintain a distance of at least 300 meters,” the message read.
The attacks were carried out using fighter jets and precision-guided munitions, following extensive intelligence gathering and aerial surveillance, with the stated goal of minimizing harm to civilians. According to the IDF, the targeted infrastructure was deliberately concealed within densely populated civilian areas—a tactic the military described as a cynical exploitation of the local population as human shields.
The IDF stressed that it will continue to take action against any threat posed by Hezbollah and will work to prevent the group from reestablishing its military presence in southern Lebanon and Beirut.
Following the IDF’s evacuation warning, heavy traffic congestion was reported in Dahieh as residents attempted to flee the area. A similar evacuation alert was later issued to residents of the village of Ein Qana in southern Lebanon, which was also targeted by the IDF.
According to Lebanese media, by 11:00 PM Thursday, Dahieh had been hit by 15 drone strikes and six additional airstrikes carried out by fighter jets. About half an hour before midnight, another strike was reported, with explosions heard in a neighborhood known to be affiliated with Hezbollah. The attacks on Ein Qana continued throughout the night, and according to Lebanese reports, three people were injured in one of the strikes.
