The Bqosta Municipality - Sidon District explained, in a statement, that “an incoming message is being circulated to a citizen, who is outside Lebanese territory, from a foreign (Venezuelan) phone number today, Sunday 4/12/2026 at 14:13, containing a threat to evacuate one of the buildings within the town’s jurisdiction. After immediate follow-up with the competent security authorities, it became clear that the content of this message is completely false, and that it falls within misleading messages sent to a number of citizens in different regions, with the aim of creating confusion and sowing fear and panic.” The municipality called on citizens "not to be drawn into rumors or circulate them. To verify the accuracy of information through official channels only and to report any suspicious messages or communications to the competent authorities," stressing its "permanent keenness to follow up on any developments in coordination with the security forces, in order to preserve public safety."