US Urges Americans to Leave Lebanon Amid Rising Conflict
BEIRUT — The US State Department issued a travel advisory on Saturday, urging Americans in Lebanon to leave while commercial flight options are still available.
The advisory highlights the unpredictable nature of the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, as well as recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including in Beirut.
“Due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available,” the advisory stated.
Currently, commercial flights are available but at reduced capacity. The advisory warned that if the security situation deteriorates, options for departure may become limited.
The US “strongly” recommended that Americans in southern Lebanon, particularly near the borders with Syria and in refugee settlements, leave those areas immediately.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated recently amid intensified cross-border warfare since the onset of Israel’s conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in nearly 41,400 casualties, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7 of last year. — Agencies
