Germany, Saudi Arabia, Several Other Nations Warn Citizens To Leave Lebanon Amid Fears Of War With Israel
A devastating rocket attack on the Druze city of Majdan Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights over the weekend claimed the lives of 12 children, sparking a rapid escalation of tensions.
Several countries including the United States, have issued urgent travel warnings for Lebanon, advising citizens to depart the country immediately due to the heightened risk of a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah.
A devastating rocket attack on the Druze city of Majdan Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights over the weekend claimed the lives of 12 children, sparking a rapid escalation of tensions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attributed the attack to a Hezbollah-launched Iranian-made Falaq-1 rocket from southern Lebanon, a claim vehemently denied by Hezbollah.
This denial has further inflamed regional tensions. In response to the growing threat of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, seven countries have urged their citizens to depart Lebanon immediately, while five additional countries have advised against travelling to Lebanon at this time, according to Anadolu Agency.
The Saudi Embassy in Beirut urged Saturday its citizens currently in Lebanon “to depart the Lebanese territory immediately” and emphasised the necessity for them “to stay in touch with the embassy in case of any emergencies.”
Australia on Friday “strongly advised” its citizens against travelling to Lebanon, citing the extremely volatile security situation. Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Australians in Lebanon to leave immediately while commercial flights are still available.
The Dutch Foreign Ministry on X urged its citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon and those who live there to leave as commercial flights are still operating.
German Foreign Ministry also issued a travel warning and asked its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country, emphasising that “the situation at the border between Israel and Lebanon is very tense.”
The Canadian government also urged its nationals in Lebanon to leave the country amid an escalation of tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
“The safety and security of Canadians at home and abroad is Canada’s top priority,” Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a statement on Tuesday.
North Macedonia also asked its citizens on Sunday to leave Lebanon as soon as possible due to the worsening security situation there.
The warning came after Kuwait urged its citizens on June 22 to avoid travel to Lebanon and those inside the country to leave as soon as possible “in view of the security situation taking place in the region.”
On June 5, the US Embassy in Beirut advised American citizens in Lebanon to avoid travel to areas along the borders with Israel and Syria.
The UK strongly advised its citizens Wednesday against all travel to Lebanon.
“FCDO advises against all travel to Lebanon due to risks associated with the conflict between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories,” the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said in a statement.
Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rudakov urged Russians to wait until the situation in the country calms down, emphasising that right now “there are no reasons for serious panic,” adding that the diplomatic mission continues to operate normally and takes the necessary security measures for its employees.
The Irish Foreign Ministry also advised against all travel to certain areas of Lebanon and urged Irish citizens currently in the country to exercise extreme caution.
Jordan on Friday strongly advised its citizens not to travel to Lebanon, citing the ongoing developments in the region.
Tensions have risen along Lebanon’s border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israeli forces as Tel Aviv pressed ahead with its deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 37,800 people since October following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/7-countries-urge-citizens-to-leave-lebanon-amid-fears-of-war-with-israel/3261855