British citizens in Lebanon have been urged to leave the country immediately amid growing fears of a major war breaking out between Hezbollah and Israel.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has repeated the FCDO‘s warning that the situation could « deteriorate rapidly » as he called on Brits to evacuate now.
The warning comes after nearly 40 people were killed and more than 3,000 injured when apparent remote controlled explosions rocked Lebanon this week.
Two waves of blasts occurred as explosives hidden inside pagers and walkie talkies allegedly used by Hezbollah members were set off, in an attack suspected to have been carried out by Israel, which is yet to comment.
Hezbollah, a paramilitary group and political party that controls the most powerful armed force in Lebanon, is backed by Iran and proscribed as a terrorist organisation by various nations including the UK, and the US.
Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah has vowed that the group will retaliate, admitting the covert attack was a « severe blow ». On Thursday, Israel‘s Defence Forces (IDF) launched a fresh wave of airstrikes above southern Lebanon which it said struck 30 Hezbollah strongholds.
The country claimed 150 launcher barrels were targeted that were « ready to fire projectiles toward Israeli territory ».
In a tweet on X today, Mr Lammy wrote: “My message to British nationals in Lebanon is leave while commercial options remain. Tensions are high and the situation could deteriorate rapidly.”
Britain’s top diplomat also said he had spoken to Lebanese PM Najib Mikati, expressing « my deep concern over rising tensions and civilian casualties in Lebanon« .
The Foreign Office warning against travel to the country have been in effect since October last year when the war between Israel and Hamas – an ally of Hezbollah – broke out in Gaza. You can find the latest travel guidance here.
The latest escalation follows clashes between Hezbollah and Israel on an almost daily basis for more than 11 months.
Hundreds have been killed in Lebanon and dozens in Israel, while tens of thousands have been displaced on either side of the border.
On Wednesday, Israel‘s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant visited an Israeli airbase and said the country was « opening a new phase in the war », adding that the « centre of gravity is shifting to the north through the diversion of resources and forces ».
He did not address the wave of explosions that struck across Beirut on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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