Scene of devastation in Houfayr, near Baalbeck, after Israeli night strikes, Oct. 29, 2024. (Credit: Sam Skaineh/AFP)
Residents of several northern Bekaa Valley localities began evacuating their villages Wednesday following warnings from the Israeli army. Thousands of residents from Iaat, Makne, Douris, Nahle, Jamalieh, Baalbeck, Tell Abiad, Adouss, and Ain Bourdai took to the roads, leading to heavy traffic across the entire area.
Dr. Mohammad Khazaal, who had been living in Baalbeck, told L’Orient-Le Jour that the road northbound is packed with people fleeing the area.
The Baalbeck Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported receiving two calls and a voice message purportedly from the Israeli army, urging its director and staff to evacuate the building immediately as it was "in danger." The building was fully evacuated, and security forces were alerted to verify the authenticity of these messages.
Avoid the Baalbeck Temple
Baalbeck-Hermel Governor Bachir Khodr advised residents to move in two directions: either towards Ersal (near the Syrian border) or to northern Lebanon via the Ainata al-Arz road. "Please avoid going to the Baalbeck Temple as the area is not safe," he added. This statement raised further concerns, given that Israeli bombardments do not spare historic sites, including those on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, such as Baalbeck’s archaeological complex.
Baalbeck’s municipal council president, Moustapha al-Chall, echoed these fears in an interview with Sky News Arabia, saying, "We fear that the Baalbeck temples and other heritage sites in the city may be targeted" by Israeli strikes.
“Immediate” Evacuation Ordered
Around 11:15 a.m. local time, the Israeli army instructed residents of Baalbeck and the nearby villages of Ain Bourdai and Douris to “immediately” evacuate their homes, warning they should leave before the army “strikes Hezbollah targets.”
In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Israeli military spokesperson specified evacuation routes: the Zahle-Baalbeck highway, the Nahle-Baalbeck road, and the “Cedars” road heading north. The army’s map marked Iaat, north of Baalbeck, in red as part of the threatened area, which also includes Baalbeck’s archaeological site.
This evacuation order comes amid intense Israeli airstrikes on the Baalbeck area since Monday, which have killed dozens, including at least 70 people that day alone. These strikes were carried out without prior warning.
On Monday, the Israeli army had also instructed residents of Sour to evacuate several neighborhoods in the southern Lebanese city before carrying out at least seven strikes.
List of Shelters for Internally Displaced Persons
By Wednesday evening, Bekaa Governor Kamal Abou Jaoude announced that the region's Crisis and Disaster Risk Management Committee had released a list of shelters for displaced individuals. According to the list:
- The Agro-Food Industries Institute in Qob Elias can house 100 people.
- The Qob Elias Technical School can accommodate 65 people.
- The Jeb Jennine Institute has a capacity of 130.
- The Al-Manara Technical Institute can accommodate 110 people.
- The Rachaya Development Institute can house 100 people.
- Bekaa Official Intermediate School can accommodate 60 people.
The committee also provided two contact numbers for inquiries: 08/808211 and 81/479342.
