Israeli-Hamas: Leave Lebanon now —US, UK, Germany tell citizens
By Matthew Atungwu
As border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah increased due to Israel’s war with Hamas, Washington, London, and Berlin on Thursday issued advisories to their residents regarding their departure from Lebanon.
“We recommend that United States citizens in Lebanon make appropriate arrangements to leave the country; commercial options currently remain available,” a statement from the US embassy in Beirut said, with a similar warning issued by the British.
“If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available,” the British embassy said, urging its nationals to “exercise caution.”
AFP reports that Germany’s foreign office also asked citizens to “leave Lebanon” in a statement warning that border clashes “can escalate further at any time” and advising its nationals to “use existing commercial travel options to leave the country safely.”
Read Also: Israel deploys drones over Gaza amid tensions
Following Hamas’s devastating October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people, the majority of whom were civilians, Hezbollah and other associated Palestinian organisations have been exchanging cross-border fire with Israel on a regular basis.
Since then, at least 3,700 people—mostly civilians—have died as a result of relentless Israeli bombardment on Gaza, according to the health ministry operated by Hamas. Additionally, travel to Lebanon has been advised against by France, Canada, Australia, and Spain.
An AFP count puts the number of people killed by cross-border fire in Lebanon at least 21. Most of the victims were combatants, but there were also three civilian deaths, including a Reuters journalist. On the Israeli side, at least three individuals have died.
The State Department on Thursday issued a rare “worldwide caution” advisory for US citizens everywhere, citing terrorism and the potential for anti-American demonstrations.
The alert said US citizens should be aware of “increased tensions in various locations around the world.”
This includes “potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against US citizens and interests.”
Israel has recalled its diplomats from Turkey as a security precaution, a source close to the dossier told AFP Thursday, having already advised citizens to leave.
