Several countries around the world, including the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Sweden, and Jordan, advised their citizens to leave Lebanon amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
On Saturday (Aug 3), the embassies of the US and the UK in Lebanon urged their citizens to leave the Middle Eastern country immediately.
Sweden said that due to the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, its foreign ministry decided to temporarily close its embassy in Beirut and withdraw diplomatic personnel.
‘Leave Lebanon by whichever means possible’
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom urged all citizens in Lebanon to “leave the country by whichever means possible, while they still can.”
Meanwhile, Jordan issued a notice urging citizens not to travel to Lebanon temporarily and requesting Jordanian citizens in Lebanon to evacuate promptly. The notice indicated that this recommendation is a precautionary measure in anticipation of potential changes in the regional situation.
Canada and France were also among the countries to issue similar advisories.
Fears of an escalation of hostilities that could engulf Lebanon are at their highest since Hezbollah started attacking Israel, a day after the Gaza war began on October 7 last year.
Most of the fighting (between Israel and Hezbollah) was contained in border areas. However, the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh might escalate the conflict in West Asia.
Hezbollah vows to avenge Shukr’s assassination
Hezbollah vowed to respond to Shukr’s assassination. On Sunday, the Iran-backed group launched dozens of rockets at the town of Beit Hillel in northern Israel. A report by BBC said that no deaths were reported and Israel responded by striking targets in southern Lebanon.
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Iran’s UN mission said that Hezbollah and the Israeli military observed certain lines, including limiting strikes to border areas and military targets. The strike that killed Shukr crossed that line, the mission added.
(With inputs from agencies)