The U.S. Embassy in Beirut has issued an urgent call for its citizens to leave Lebanon on “any ticket available” due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
This advisory follows a similar caution from UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who warned that the regional situation “could deteriorate rapidly.”
The heightened alert comes after Iran vowed “severe” retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday.
This incident occurred shortly after the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut by Israel.
There are concerns that Hezbollah, backed by Iran and based in Lebanon, might engage heavily in any retaliatory actions, potentially triggering a severe Israeli response.
In a statement released on Saturday, the U.S. Embassy advised those remaining in Lebanon to “prepare contingency plans” and be ready to “shelter in place for an extended period of time.”
The Embassy noted that although some airlines have canceled flights or sold out tickets, “commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available.”
The Pentagon announced that it would deploy additional warships and fighter jets to the region to bolster Israel’s defence against potential attacks from Iran and its proxies.
The UK has also ramped up its precautions, sending extra military personnel, consular staff, and border force officials to assist with potential evacuations. British citizens were urged to leave Lebanon “while commercial flights are running.”
The Royal Air Force has transport helicopters on standby, and two British military ships are already in the region.
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David Lammy emphasized that spreading the conflict across the region benefits no one.
He referenced a previous instance in April when Iran launched a significant air attack on Israel following an Israeli bombing of an Iranian consulate in Damascus.
In a recent phone call with EU Foreign Policy Chief Joseph Borrell, Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri Kani declared that Iran would “undoubtedly use its inherent and legitimate right” to “punish” Israel. Iranian state TV also ominously warned that the world would soon witness “extraordinary scenes.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alerted Israelis to expect “challenging days ahead” and assured them that Israel is “prepared for any scenario.” Israeli ministers have been equipped with satellite phones to maintain communication in case of attacks on the country’s infrastructure.
The initial surge in tensions was sparked by the deaths of 12 children and teenagers in a strike on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which Israel attributed to Hezbollah.
Following that, Israel conducted a targeted airstrike in Beirut, killing senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr and four others, including two children. Hours later, Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran.
At a funeral ceremony for Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed severe retribution against Israel.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, 10 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school that was sheltering displaced persons. The Israeli military claimed the school was being used as a command centre by militants, a claim that Hamas has denied.
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