UK And US Urge Citizens To Leave Lebanon ‘Now', ‘Book Any Available Ticket’ Amid Fears Of Israel-Hezbollah War

The British government and US embassy in Beirut advised their citizens residing in Lebanon to leave the country amid rising tensions of war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Buildings that were damaged in an Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon on July 31.

Source : PTI

Amid rising fears of an all-out regional war between Israel and Hezbollah, following the killing of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, earlier this week, the British government and United States, urged their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.

Urging UK nationals to leave Lebanon, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "Tensions are high, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly. While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear — leave now."

Meanwhile, the US embassy in Beirut also issued a travel advisory along with a security alert, asking American citizens to "book any ticket available to them, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first-choice route" to leave Lebanon. It also asked Americans to prepare contingency plans if they wish to remain in the country, and to avoid traveling to southern Lebanon, including all part sof the Saida city, and the Lebanon-Syria border.

"U.S. Embassy Beirut notes several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights, and many flights have sold out; however, commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available.  We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket available to them, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first-choice route," US Embassy in Beirut posted on X.

U.S. Embassy Beirut notes several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights, and many flights have sold out; however, commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available.  We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket available to them, even…

— U.S. Embassy Beirut (@usembassybeirut) August 3, 2024

"The U.S. Embassy strongly encourages U.S. citizens who are already in Southern Lebanon, near the borders with Syria, and/or in refugee settlements to depart," the US embassy's statement read.

"U.S. citizens already in Lebanon should be aware of the risks of remaining in the country and review their personal security plans. U.S. citizens in Lebanon should be aware that consular officers from the U.S. Embassy are not always able to travel to assist them. The Department of State considers the threat to U.S. government personnel in Beirut serious enough to require them to live and work under strict security," the statement noted.

The tensions between the two nations escalated after Israel, in a retaliatory attack, launched an airstrike on Beirut on Tuesday, killing Hezbollah's top commander, Fuad Shukr.

Within hours of Shukr's killing, Iran and Hamas confirmed the killing of Hamas's chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, for which Israel is being blamed. Israel has however not accepted its involvement in the attack. Iran had also accused of US's involvement in Haniyeh's killing, while US has maintained that it was neither involved or aware of his killing.

Since then, the tensions in the middle east has been simmering, with fears of a war with Israel.

Sweden was the first one to shut down its embassy in Beirut, relocating to Cyprus temporarily.

"The foreign ministry has instructed its staff to leave Beirut and travel to Cyprus, and the foreign ministry is planning a temporary relocation of its embassy," Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom told Swedish Radio.

Indian embassy in Lebanon had also warned Indians in the country to limit non-essential travel to Lebanon amid the tensions. It advised Indian nationals residing in Lebanon to restrict their movement and maintain regular contact through the designated emergency phone number and email.