The Foreign Office has issued an urgent alert for UK citizens in Lebanon, urging them to “get out now” and warning that the government cannot be relied upon for evacuation and assistance.
The current situation is increasingly unstable with escalating tensions in the region, leading to the potential for sudden and unpredictable developments.
Foreign Office Issues Urgent Evacuation Warning for UK Tourists
The Foreign Office explicitly “advises against all travel to Lebanon due to risks associated with the ongoing conflict between Israel, Lebanese Hezbollah and other non-state actors in Lebanon.”
Emphasizing the rapidly growing tensions, it also adds: “Tensions are high and events could escalate with little warning, which could affect or limit exit routes out of Lebanon. In the event of deterioration in the political or security situation, commercial routes out of Lebanon could be severely disrupted or cancelled at short notice, and roads across the country could be closed.”
The guidance stresses that the British embassy may not be able to provide much help during emergencies, stating: “The British embassy may be increasingly limited in the assistance that it can provide. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave.” As reported by Birmingham Live.
It also recommends: “Do not rely on FCDO being able to evacuate you in an emergency.”
The warning clearly encourages individuals to take full charge of their own safety plans: “You should have a personal emergency plan that does not rely on the UK government. This may include the ability to leave quickly or to shelter in place if you judge it necessary and safe to do so.”
Foreign Office Issues Warning After Targeted Strike on Hezbollah Leader
The note follows Israel's announcement of the killing of Hezbollah's senior military leader, Fuad Shukur, in a deliberate airstrike in the capital of Lebanon, Beirut.
This significant military operation was conducted in response to a rocket attack that resulted in the deaths of 12 children over the weekend.
During a late-night briefing, Israeli military spokesman R Adm Daniel Hagari revealed that Shukur, also referred to as Hajj Mohsin, who served as the right-hand man to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, was identified.
“The IDF will not tolerate terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians. We have been responding to these attacks with precise strikes on Hezbollah commanders, terror operatives and military infrastructure in Lebanon,” added Hagari today.