The administrations of multiple Western nations, including the US, UK, and France, have demanded that their citizens evacuate Lebanon as soon as possible. It takes place as Middle Eastern hostilities increase in the wake of the killing of Hamas leader, which Iran accuses Tel Aviv and Washington as perpetrators.
Following Haniyeh’s death in Iranian capital, the so-called “axis of resistance” and Iran have promised retaliation. Fuad Shukr, the head of Hezbollah’s the armed forces, was also killed by Israelis in Lebanese capital few hours earlier.
After the Israeli attack on Gaza started last year, the Israeli military and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah—a major backer of Hamas—have been exchanging cross-border shelling. initially, the assault by Israel was a reaction to an unusual operation by Hamas within Israeli borders.
Israel’s almost ten-month-long assault on Gaza Strip has already attracted organizations backed by Tehran from various nations in the region including Yemen and Lebanon. However, the killings of Haniyeh and Shukr have increased concerns about a regional conflict.
The United States, which is a robust partner of Israel, stated yesterday that it would be deploying more fighter planes and cruisers to the Middle East. Washington requested that its nationals living in Lebanon depart on “any ticket available.” In the event that they decide to remain in Lebanon, the United States Embassy in Beirut advised its citizens to “make contingency plans” and be ready to take shelter there for a prolonged amount of time.
Also, the British Foreign Department advised British nationals living in Lebanon to evacuate right now while there are still viable business opportunities. There is a great deal of tension, and things might get worse quickly, according to British Foreign Secretary. “While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear – leave now,” David Lammy asserted in a statement.
Canada Warns
A travel advice was also released today by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Fearing a military escalated situation, Paris advised its residents living in Lebanon to evacuate “as soon as possible.” The ministry yet again reminded French people, especially those traveling across, that direct business aircraft along with those with stops in French soil are still accessible despite the extremely unstable security environment.
In the meantime, Canada instructed its citizens to stay away from Israel entirely. The Canadian administration issued a travel caution, saying that the security condition might worsen suddenly.
Major airlines have also been compelled to pause their flights to Israel, Iran, and Lebanon due to the increasing unrest. Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Swiss Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, and Air France are among the group of airlines suspending their flights to various destinations in the Middle East.
Over fifty rockets were launched earlier today into the northern regions of Israeli territory from Lebanese south. Over the northern Galilee region, blasts were observed while Israel used its missile countermeasures to shoot down the projectiles.
Official media in Lebanon said hours after the attack that Israel had attacked many locations in southern Lebanon throughout the previous night, before the rocket assaults. According to the Lebanese National News Agency, Israeli airplanes conducted two airstrikes: one east of Kafr Rumman and the other on the fringes of the Al Mahmudiyah neighborhood. Tehran declared a day earlier that it anticipates Hezbollah would no more be limited to military installations and will instead strike farther inside Israeli territories.
