Two Royal Navy ships and several Royal Air Force helicopters were put on standby in the eastern Mediterranean over the weekend as the UK government urged British nationals in Lebanon to “leave now.”
Britain’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Type 45 air-defence destroyer HMS Duncan and the RFA Cardigan Bay, a transport ship capable of deploying landing craft, are in the region.
Military personnel and consular experts have been deployed to the Middle East “to provide embassies with operational support to help British nationals.”
Lammy said: “Tensions are high and the situation could deteriorate rapidly. While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear—leave now.
“A widening of this conflict is in nobody’s interest—the consequences could be catastrophic. That’s [why] we continue to call for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution.”
The Government is preparing for “a range of possible conflict scenarios,” the Foreign Office said.
Monday has already seen claims of a Hezbollah drone attack on Israel that reportedly injured two Israeli troops in the north of the country.
Israel’s military said fire services were working to put out a blaze sparked by the attack in Ayelet HaShahar in the upper Galilee.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Our armed forces will always step up to support British citizens around the world and reinforce regional stability with their professionalism and bravery.
“As I told leaders in the Middle East this week, de-escalation must be the primary focus in the region and we are urging all to dial down tensions. There must be an end to the fighting, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and a diplomatic path to peace and security.”
The appeal follows visits by Healey and Lammy to Qatar and Lebanon earlier this week, with the two men urging a ceasefire, the release of hostages and an increase in aid to Palestine.
The ministers’ tour comes in the wake of the death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an air strike on the Iranian capital Tehran that has been attributed to Israel.
Tensions also increased on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon after 12 children and teenagers were killed by a Hezbollah rocket attack in the Golan Heights.
That was followed by an Israeli air strike on a suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut, which Tel Aviv said was targeting Fuad Shukr, the Hezbollah commander responsible.
Other Nations Issue Same Advice
A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are deeply concerned with the highly volatile security situation in Lebanon. The safety of British nationals is our top priority, which is why we have deployed additional consular officials, Border Force, and UK military personnel to the region.“We have also temporarily withdrawn the families of officials working at the British embassy in Beirut. The embassy continues to provide support to British nationals. The situation will continue to be monitored closely. All British nationals should leave Lebanon now, while commercial routes are still available.”
“We recommend that US citizens who choose not to depart Lebanon prepare contingency plans for emergency situations and be prepared to shelter in place for an extended period of time,” it said in a statement.
France, Sweden, and Canada have issued similar advice to their citizens, as various major airlines have suspended flights to Lebanon and Israel.
