Ottawa Warns Against Travel to Lebanon, Advises Canadians to Leave Country

Smoke rises from Dhayra village after Israeli shelling as pictured from the Lebanese town of Marwahin, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, on Oct. 11, 2023. Mohamed Azakir/Reuters

Ottawa is warning Canadians to avoid all travel to Lebanon, and advising those who can obtain a safe commercial flight out of the Middle Eastern country to do so, saying the Hamas attack on Israel is causing a “deteriorating security situation.”

The travel advisory was updated on Oct. 18, with officials saying the situation could deteriorate further “without warning” due to civil unrest, increased risk of terrorist attacks, and ongoing armed conflict with Israel.

“In the event that the armed conflict intensifies, commercial means to depart the country may be impacted. The Government of Canada’s ability to provide consular services during an active conflict, including evacuation of citizens, may be limited,” said the advisory.

It said the situation in Lebanon is “volatile and unpredictable” due to recent and ongoing events in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. There are violent clashes along the border with Israel, including daily rocket and missile fire as well as air strikes, Ottawa said.

Some of the advice being given to Canadians in Lebanon is to book a flight out, expect heightened security, carry identification at all times, and avoid areas near the border with Israel.

The government said that armed clashes between rival groups are occurring in Ein el-Hilweh, a Palestinian refugee camp, with several casualties already reported.

“The Lebanese military closed portions of Highway 51 due to stray bullets hitting vehicles and houses in the city of Sidon. There are also reports of mortar shelling reaching areas outside the camp,” said the statement.

It warns that the security situation in Lebanon is “precarious.” Large-scale protests in response to the attack on Israel and the situation in Gaza and the West Bank have caused civil unrest, especially in Beirut.

The government said protestors have targeted foreign embassies and international organizations, and a major economic crisis is causing “severe shortages of basic necessities including medicines and fuel.”

South of the Litani River, near the Israel border, Ottawa said the region “remains highly militarized and volatile.” Rocket launches and border incidents have caused casualties, and there are “forces other than Lebanese authorities” that have control over parts of the region.

Hamas, a terrorist group in Gaza, attacked Israel on Oct. 7 resulting in thousands of dead and injured on both sides.

The United States and France have also issued travel warnings for their citizens to avoid Lebanon.