The United States, the United Kingdom and other countries are calling on their citizens to avoid traveling to Lebanon as tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah have intensified.
The embassy said regional tensions could worsen and “the Lebanese government cannot guarantee the protection of U.S. citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence and armed conflict.”
“We remind U.S. citizens to strongly reconsider travel to Lebanon,” the alert reads. “The security environment remains complex and can change quickly.”
The Canadian government has also urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave while commercial flights are available, adding that now is not the time to travel to the country.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the security situation in Lebanon has become “increasingly volatile” and could deteriorate without warning due to sustained violence between Israel and Hezbollah.
She said Canada does not assist its citizens in Lebanon with departures or evacuations, and there is no guarantee that such assistance will be available if the conflict escalates.
“Events in Lebanon are fast moving. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and with no warning,” the advisory reads.
The UK government warned that commercial routes out of Lebanon could be severely disrupted, and roads across the country could be closed in the event of an escalation.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong strongly advised Australian citizens to avoid Lebanon and warned that Beirut airport may close at short notice if escalation occurred.
Increase in Daily Military Action
The advisory, posted on the Australian government’s Smartraveller website, said daily military action involving rocket and missile fire, as well as airstrikes, has increased in southern Lebanon.According to the advisory, armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could “escalate quickly or spread to other areas in Lebanon, including Beirut, with little notice.”
“Terrorist attacks could occur anytime and anywhere, including in Beirut,” the alert reads.
Hezbollah, which proscribed as a terrorist group by the United States, and also organized as a political entity within the struggling Lebanese government, has intensified attacks at the Lebanese border with Israel since October 2023.
This escalation comes as much of Israel’s military forces are focused southward on their military campaign in the Gaza Strip against Hamas, which is also designated as a terrorist group by the United States and Israel.
“What we’re trying to do is prevent a second front from opening up. We’re trying to prevent an escalation of this conflict that certainly would put the people of Israel and of Lebanon at greater physical risk than the risk that is already being incurred by them, particularly those that live near the Blue Line,” he said.
Mr. Netanyahu said that Israel is willing to pursue a diplomatic solution with Hezbollah but that an Israeli demand would include the “physical removal of Hezbollah from the border” as a condition.
