France, the UK and the US have issued urgent advisories for their citizens to leave Lebanon as fears of regional conflict intensify. This advice follows Israel’s assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut, exacerbating existing tensions in the region.
The US Embassy in Beirut has reported difficulties in securing flights out of Lebanon due to many being cancelled and sold out, and urged American citizens to book any available flight and to prepare to shelter for an extended period of time. It also noted that US government-assisted evacuations are uncommon and costly.
Meanwhile, the US is set to enhance its military capabilities in the Middle East “to bolster force protection for US troops in the region and to defend Israel”, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh on Friday.
In the midst of these tensions, Israel’s Iron Dome defence system was activated early on Sunday after Hezbollah launched a rocket barrage from Lebanon targeting northern Israel. US President Joe Biden expressed hope that Iran will back down from further conflict to prevent a wider regional war.
The recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut have significantly heightened the risk of further violence.
