Over 200 Prisoners Evacuated from South and Dahieh Amid War Fears

Lebanese authorities have relocated prisoners from police stations in Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon to other areas of the country due to fears of a potential war with Israel, according to judicial and security officials.

Approximately 220 prisoners have been transferred as a precautionary measure. This decision comes amid escalating concerns that the ongoing cross-border exchanges between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militant group, could intensify following Israel’s recent killing of a senior Hezbollah official. In response, Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate.

There is widespread concern that if full-scale war erupts, Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon—areas where Hezbollah has a significant presence—could be heavily targeted by Israeli airstrikes. The relocated prisoners were being held on charges related to various crimes, including murder and theft, the officials added.