US urges citizens to leave Lebanon on 'any available ticket'
The US embassy in Beirut has advised American citizens to leave Lebanon immediately due to escalating regional tensions. This warning follows a similar advisory from the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, who cautioned that the situation could quickly worsen.
The recent escalation involves the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh by Israel, and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr by Israel in Beirut. The fear is that Hezbollah, supported by Iran, might retaliate, potentially leading to a severe Israeli response.
Hezbollah launched dozens of rockets at Beit Hillel in northern Israel around 00:25 local time on Sunday (22:25 BST Saturday). Social media footage showed air defense systems intercepting the missiles, and there have been no reported casualties.
In response to the escalating conflict, Jordan's Foreign Ministry has advised its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately and cautioned others against traveling there. Canada has similarly warned its nationals to avoid travel to Israel, in addition to its existing advice against visiting Lebanon, due to the potential for the situation to rapidly worsen.
On Saturday, the US embassy advised Americans remaining in Lebanon to prepare contingency plans and be ready to shelter in place for an extended period. It noted that while several airlines have suspended or canceled flights and many are sold out, commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon are still available.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon announced the deployment of additional warships and fighter jets to the region to bolster defense for Israel against potential attacks from Iran and its proxies.
The UK announced that it is sending additional military personnel, consular staff, and border force officials to assist with evacuations from Lebanon, urging British citizens to leave while commercial flights are still available. Two British military ships are already in the region, and the Royal Air Force has transport helicopters on standby. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the need to prevent the conflict from spreading further.
In Gaza, an Israeli strike hit a school sheltering displaced persons, killing at least 17 people, according to Hamas-run authorities. The Israeli military contends that the Hamama school in Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan neighborhood was being used as a militant command center, a claim Hamas denies.
Israeli ministers have been provided with satellite phones in case of attacks on the country's communication infrastructure.
In April, Iran conducted a major air assault on Israel, deploying 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and at least 110 ballistic missiles in response to an Israeli bombing of an Iranian consulate in Damascus. There are concerns that Iran might retaliate in a similar fashion this time.
In a recent call with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell, Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri Kani emphasized Iran's intention to "punish" Israel. On Friday, Iran's state TV warned of "extraordinary scenes" to come.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cautioned that "challenging days lie ahead," noting threats from multiple fronts and stating that Israel is prepared for any scenario. Tensions heightened after an Israeli strike on the Golan Heights killed 12 children and teenagers, which Israel attributed to Hezbollah.
Hezbollah denied involvement, and soon after, Israeli airstrikes killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "harsh punishment" for Israel at Haniyeh's funeral in Tehran.
