Foreign nationals urged to leave Lebanon amid rising war concerns

As concerns mount that Israel's war on Gaza could lead to a broader regional conflict, several countries have advised their citizens to evacuate Lebanon.

Tensions escalated after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' political leader, in Tehran last Wednesday. This followed an Israeli strike in Beirut that resulted in the death of Fuad Shukr, a high-ranking military commander of Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group.

The events triggered strong retaliatory threats from Iran, with the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promising "severe retribution" for the killings.

For nearly nine months, Hezbollah and the Israeli military have engaged in a series of retaliatory attacks, heightening the possibility of an Israeli incursion into its neighboring Lebanon. Recent escalations now pose the threat of a full-blown conflict in the Middle East.

On Saturday, the United States announced the deployment of additional warships and fighter jets to the region, encouraging its citizens in Lebanon to depart on "any ticket available".

The US Embassy in Beirut advised Americans to make contingency plans if they opt to stay in Lebanon, emphasizing the need to be prepared for extended periods of sheltering in place.

While many countries already had travel advisories in place, recent developments have prompted updated alerts.

Saudi Arabia has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon and is closely monitoring the situation, as communicated by the Saudi Embassy in Lebanon through Twitter.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cautioned Turkish nationals in Lebanon to be vigilant, especially in Nebatiyeh, South Lebanon, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel regions, recommending travel only if absolutely necessary.

Japan, France, and Italy have also issued travel advisories, advising their citizens to depart Lebanon as soon as possible.

The escalating tensions have resulted in a growing number of canceled or suspended flights at Beirut's Rafic Al Hariri International Airport. Passengers were seen waiting in line with their luggage on Monday.

Major airlines, including KLM, Lufthansa, Emirates, Air France, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Swiss Airlines, have grounded their flights to Israel, Iran, and Lebanon due to the rising threat levels.

Fears are at their peak since the war began last October, with concerns that Lebanon could be engulfed in hostilities. While most of the violence has been contained to border regions, both sides have indicated a reluctance to escalate into a wider conflict.