Residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs began fleeing the area on Monday after Israeli leaders announced plans to carry out strikes against Hezbollah targets and reports emerged that evacuation warnings could soon be issued.

Footage published on social media showed heavy traffic congestion on roads leading out of Dahiyeh, the southern suburb of Beirut that serves as Hezbollah’s main stronghold, as residents rushed to leave the area amid fears of imminent Israeli attacks.

زحمة سير خانقة عند تقاطع كنيسة مار مخايل بسبب حركة النزوح pic.twitter.com/kdG5VJvF5Z

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) June 1, 2026

إزدحام كبير بسبب حركة النزوح من الضاحية عقب اتخاذ قرار باستهدافها pic.twitter.com/3TTGGvnBvq

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) June 1, 2026

Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that they had instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to carry out strikes in Dahiyeh, citing what they described as repeated Hezbollah violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Channel 14 later reported that Netanyahu’s decision to authorize strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs had been coordinated with the United States.

The channel also said the Israeli military was expected to issue evacuation warnings for residents of Dahiyeh shortly before any strikes were carried out.

In parallel, Israeli website Walla reported, citing a source, that Washington has shown openness to Israel’s request to expand military operations in Lebanon, adding that Tel Aviv has made clear to the United States that limiting activity to border areas is no longer sufficient.