The United States and the UK on Saturday issued advisories to its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately as the possibility of a full-blown war looms large between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel.
The Middle East, simmering due to Israel’s military action in Gaza, seems to have plunged deeper into the crisis after Hamas’s chief assassination in Iran on Wednesday.
In light of the uncertain circumstances which could pose a threat to civilian lives, the US embassy urged Americans to leave Lebanon on “any ticket available”, which highlights the graveness of the situation.
“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”, a statement issued by the US embassy said.
The United States, which is also in Iran’s cross hairs, for what Tehran said “supporting Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh’s killing, urged its citizens to avail commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon.
UK says ‘leave now‘
UK foreign ministry said British nationals should depart the Middle Eastern country “now while commercial options remain available”.
“Tensions are high, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly,” said Foreign Minister David Lammy, reported news agency AFP.
“While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear –- leave now.”
“This is alongside Landing ship RFA Cardigan Bay and HMS Duncan already being in the eastern Mediterranean to support allies with humanitarian requirements, with the Royal Air Force also putting transport helicopters on standby,” the statement added.
“With the potential for exit routes out of Lebanon — including roads — being affected, limited, or closed, due to events escalating with little warning, teams will continue to urge British nationals to leave while commercial options remain available.”
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Iran.
Hamas claimed that Haniyeh was assassinated in “a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran” while he was in the Iranian capital to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.
The Middle East, simmering due to Israel’s military action in Gaza, seems to have plunged deeper into the crisis after Hamas’s chief assassination in Iran on Wednesday.
In light of the uncertain circumstances which could pose a threat to civilian lives, the US embassy urged Americans to leave Lebanon on “any ticket available”, which highlights the graveness of the situation.
“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”, a statement issued by the US embassy said.
The United States, which is also in Iran’s cross hairs, for what Tehran said “supporting Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh’s killing, urged its citizens to avail commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon.
UK says ‘leave now‘
UK foreign ministry said British nationals should depart the Middle Eastern country “now while commercial options remain available”.
“Tensions are high, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly,” said Foreign Minister David Lammy, reported news agency AFP.
“While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear –- leave now.”
“This is alongside Landing ship RFA Cardigan Bay and HMS Duncan already being in the eastern Mediterranean to support allies with humanitarian requirements, with the Royal Air Force also putting transport helicopters on standby,” the statement added.
“With the potential for exit routes out of Lebanon — including roads — being affected, limited, or closed, due to events escalating with little warning, teams will continue to urge British nationals to leave while commercial options remain available.”
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Iran.
Hamas claimed that Haniyeh was assassinated in “a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran” while he was in the Iranian capital to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.
