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The United States has advised its nationals to leave Lebanon amid fears of a full-scale regional war in the Middle East read more
 "US asks citizens to leave Lebanon amid fears of Israel-Hezbollah War")
As airlines have started suspending operations in Lebanon, the United States has asked nationals to leave the country on any flight available (Representative Photo, Credit: AFP)
The United States has asked citizens to leave Lebanon to any ticket or prepare contingency plans if they wish to remain in the country.
The advisory comes amid fears of an all-out war between Israel and Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah.
Following the last week’s rocket attack in Israel-controlled Golan Heights in which 12 children were killed, Isarel assassinated Faud Shukr, the military chief of Hezbollah, in an airstrike in Beirut on Tuesday. The exchanged has raised fears of a full-scale war between Hezbollah and Israel.
In a message on its website, the US Embassy in Lebanon said that even though some airlines have suspended operations in Lebanon, flights are still available and citizens should book any flight available.
“The U.S. Embassy notes several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights, and many flights have sold out; however, commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available. Please see available flight options at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport . We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket available to them, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first-choice route. US citizens who lack funds to return to the United States may contact the embassy for financial assistance via repatriation loans,” said the embassy.
U.S. Embassy Beirut notes several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights, and many flights have sold out; however, commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available. We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket available to them, even…
— U.S. Embassy Beirut (@usembassybeirut) August 3, 2024Within hours of Shukr’s killing, Iran and Hamas confirmed that Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination in Tehran. He was visiting Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Masoud Pezeshkian and was killed in the Iranian regime’s guesthouse. The brazen assassination, which marked a catastrophic failure of Iranian intelligence and security apparatus and a colossal embarrassment, led to Iran vowing to punish Israel.
As Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly ordered direct attacks on Israel, the Middle East remains on the edge as chances of an all-out are high.
‘Either leave or prepare contingency plans’
Amid fears of an all-out war between Israel and Iran, which is almost surely bound to involve Lebanon-based Hezbollah, the United States has asked its citizens in the country to either leave on any flight they can book or prepare for contingency plans for extended periods if they stay.
“We recommend that U.S. 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,” said the embassy.
The US mission in Beirut further said that the nationals should not rely on military evacuations as such actions are rare. It further said that they will be expected to reimburse the US government for transportation costs if they are evacuated by the government.
Moreover, the embassy listed the following actions that US citizens in Beirut should take:
Make plans to depart that do not rely on the US government.
Ensure you and your family have your travel documents (passport) in order and are prepared to travel
Review your personal security plans
Keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency
Exercise caution, monitor the news closely for breaking developments that could affect internal security, and factor updated information into your travel plans and activities
If you are in Lebanon, be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate
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English (US) ·