When Aline Naser, a 26-year-old from Beirut, received the evacuation warnings from Israel, her thoughts immediately turned to Gaza. For the past year, she had watched in horror as Palestinians in Gaza were forced to move from one place to another, fleeing to “safe zones” only to be bombed again.
This week, Israel began sending similar evacuation messages to Lebanese residents through phone alerts, calls, and leaflets, signaling a widening air campaign. “It’s definitely on my mind, and we don’t really know where is safe,” Naser said. Nearly a year after launching its war in Gaza, Israel has shifted focus to Lebanon, ramping up its operations against Hezbollah.
Many in Lebanon fear that Israel’s approach will mirror the Gaza strategy: mass displacement, evacuation orders, and intense airstrikes. While Israel claims its strikes target Hezbollah’s weapons and militants, the fear of widespread destruction lingers.
Israel’s military campaign aims to push Hezbollah away from its border, allowing tens of thousands of Israelis displaced by Hezbollah’s rockets to return home. So far, no ground invasion has occurred, though preparations are reportedly underway. Despite differences between Gaza and Lebanon, such as Hezbollah’s stronger position and Lebanon’s larger, less encircled territory, the specter of Gaza-like carnage looms large.
On Monday, Israeli airstrikes killed 492 people and injured 1,645 across Lebanon, marking the deadliest day since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Thousands of civilians fled south Lebanon, with many seeking refuge in Syria or departing via the airport. Israel has repeatedly warned civilians to evacuate areas near Hezbollah strongholds, but uncertainty remains about where is truly safe.
The conflict, which escalated following Hezbollah’s rocket fire in support of Gaza, has left both sides of the border in turmoil, displacing tens of thousands. Lebanon, already grappling with an economic crisis since 2019, can ill afford another war.
Hostilities intensified last week when explosions from devices used by Hezbollah killed dozens, injuring thousands more. Israel is widely suspected to be behind the attack, which caused severe injuries to civilians. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s continued rocket fire has wounded several Israelis.
Many Lebanese, like 25-year-old Jana Bsat from Beirut, have packed evacuation bags in preparation for further escalation. “It feels surreal,” Bsat said. “We’ve heard about Gaza, and now we’re experiencing it ourselves.” The fear and uncertainty are overwhelming, yet for many, it has become part of daily life.
While Israel’s campaign in Lebanon shares similarities with its Gaza operations, the conflicts differ. In Gaza, Israel seeks to destroy Hamas entirely, whereas in Lebanon, the goal is to push Hezbollah back from the border. Unlike Gaza, Lebanon is not completely encircled and is home to various political and religious groups, with significant opposition to Hezbollah in some areas.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that Lebanon must not become another Gaza. Whether the current hostilities will lead to full-scale war remains to be seen, but the fear and tension are undeniable.
