Countries advise people to evacuate Lebanon as Mid-East conflict fears rise 2024 news
Several nations have advised their citizens to leave Lebanon, with the US telling its citizens to take “any ticket available” as worries mount of a larger crisis in the Middle East.
Iran has pledged “severe” revenge against Israel, blaming it for the assassination of Hamas political head Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday. Israel has not responded.
His killing happened just hours after Israel assassinated Hezbollah‘s top leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut.
Western authorities are concerned that Hezbollah, an Iran-backed military and political force based in Lebanon, may play a prominent role in any reprisal, perhaps prompting a strong Israeli reaction.
The United States and other Western countries continue to make diplomatic attempts to de-escalate tensions in the area.
However, in response to such fears, the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, Canada, and Jordan encouraged its nationals to leave Lebanon as soon as possible, as an increasing number of flights are cancelled or halted at the country’s only commercial airport, Beirut.
Some ticket prices have risen, but there have been no reports of panic or people rushing to leave.
Fears of an escalation of hostilities engulfing Lebanon have grown since Hezbollah began its assaults on Israel, a day after Hamas’ fatal attacks on southern Israel on October 7, in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
The majority of the violence has occurred at the border, with both sides claiming a lack of interest in a larger fight.
However, Hezbollah has threatened to react to Shukr’s death in Dahiyeh, the group’s stronghold in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Hezbollah launched dozens of missiles into the northern Israeli settlement of Beit Hillel about 00:25 local time on Sunday (21:25 GMT Saturday).
Social media footage shows Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system intercepting the missiles. There have been no reported casualties.
The Israeli air force retaliated by bombing sites in southern Lebanon.
In a separate incident on Sunday morning, two individuals were killed in a stabbing in the Israeli city of Holon. According to authorities, the attacker was later “neutralised”.
The US embassy in Beirut issued a statement on Saturday advising individuals who want to remain in Lebanon to “prepare contingency plans” and be prepared to “shelter in place for an extended period of time.”
The Pentagon has announced that it is sending more warships and fighter jets to the region to help defend Israel from potential attacks by Iran and its proxies, a strategy similar to that used in April, when Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel in retaliation for an attack on its diplomatic compound in Syria.
It accused Israel for the strike.
Many people fear that Iran’s reaction on this occasion will be similar.
The UK said it would send more military troops, diplomatic workers, and border force officers to assist with any evacuations.
It has recommended UK people to leave Lebanon while commercial aircraft are operating.
Two British Navy ships are already in the area, and the Royal Air Force has placed transport helicopters on standby.
According to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, the regional situation “could deteriorate rapidly”.
In a phone discussion with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell on Friday, Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri Kani said that Iran will “undoubtedly use its inherent and legitimate right” to “punish” Israel.
An announcer on Iran’s national television warned that “the world would witness extraordinary scenes” on Friday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that “challenging days” are ahead… We’ve heard threats from all sides. “We are prepared for any situation.”
Tensions between Israel and Iran rose when 12 children and teens were killed in a strike on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Israel blamed Hezbollah and pledged “severe” reprisal, although Hezbollah denied involvement.
Days later, Shukr, a key aide to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in a targeted Israeli air attack in Beirut. Four additional people were slain, including two children.
Hours later, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran, Hamas’ primary sponsor. He was there to witness the inauguration of Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s new president.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, has declared Israel will face “harsh punishment” for the assassination.
Haniyeh’s killing harmed negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release agreement in Gaza, which were the major hope for defusing tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border.
