Several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, are urging their citizens to leave Lebanon due to escalating tensions that threaten to expand the Middle East conflict.
“Leave now,” Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy stressed, as the US Embassy in Lebanon advised citizens to secure “any ticket available to them.”
This alert follows Iran’s vow to retaliate against Israel for the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week. The assassination occurred just hours after an Israeli airstrike in Beirut killed Hezbollah’s senior military commander, Fu’ad Shukr.
These incidents have intensified fears that Israel’s ongoing nine-month conflict in Gaza could escalate into a broader regional war. Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, is expected to play a significant role in any retaliation.
In response to these developments, many countries have updated their travel advisories. France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs urged its citizens to leave Lebanon “as soon as possible,” while Jordan issued a similar warning.
Airlines such as Air France, Lufthansa, and Kuwaiti Airlines have canceled or rerouted flights to and from Lebanon.
Reflecting concerns over potential Iranian retaliation, the US dispatched a carrier strike group, a fighter squadron, and additional warships to the Middle East on Saturday, marking one of the largest US force movements since the early days of the Gaza war.
Israel, preparing for potential scenarios following Haniyeh’s assassination, has advised its citizens to stock up on supplies and prepare bomb shelters. Residents of Jerusalem have been instructed to ensure they can reach shelters within 90 seconds.
