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televisionThe U.S. Embassy in Beirut has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon on “any available tickets” amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The move follows a similar warning from British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who said the situation in the region “could deteriorate rapidly”.
Iran has vowed “harsh” revenge against Israel, blaming it for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday, hours after Israel killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.
There are concerns that Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah could play a major role in any such retaliation, which in turn could trigger severe retaliation from Israel.
The U.S. Embassy said Saturday that those who choose to stay in Lebanon should “make contingency plans” and prepare for “long-term shelter-in-place.”
The report said several airlines had suspended or canceled flights and many tickets were sold out, but “commercial transport options out of Lebanon remain available.”
The Pentagon said it was deploying more warships and fighter jets to the region to help Israel defend against possible attacks by Iran and its proxies.
Britain said it was sending extra military, consular staff and Border Force officers to assist with the evacuations but urged British citizens to leave the country “while commercial flights are operating”.
Two British warships have arrived in the area and the Royal Air Force has also sent a transport helicopter on standby.
Lamy said it would be “in no one’s interest to allow the conflict to spread across the region”.
In April, Iran launched air strikes on Israel using 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and at least 110 ballistic missiles.
This was in retaliation for Israel’s bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria.
Many people worry that Iran may take a similar form of retaliation this time.
Iran’s acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani said in a phone conversation with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday that Iran “will undoubtedly use its inherent legal rights” to “punish” Israel.
On Friday, an Iranian state television announcer warned that “the world will witness extraordinary scenes.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israelis that “the days ahead are challenging… We hear threats from all sides. We are ready for any scenario.”
Israeli ministers were flown home this weekend with satellite phones in case the country’s communications infrastructure comes under attack.
Tensions between Israel and Iran initially escalated over an attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that left 12 children and teenagers dead.
Israel blamed Hezbollah and vowed “harsh” retaliation, although Hezbollah denied involvement.
A few days later, a senior Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, was killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Four other people, including two children, were also killed.
Hours later, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, a key Hamas supporter, was assassinated in Iran, where Hamas was attending the inauguration of new president Massoud Pezeshkian.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led prayers at Haniyeh’s funeral in Tehran on Thursday, after previously vowing that Israel would be “severely punished” for Haniyeh’s killing.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, an Israeli attack killed 10 people at a school housing displaced people, Hamas said on Saturday.
The Israeli military said the school in Gaza City was being used as a command centre for militants. Hamas denies it operates inside civilian facilities.
Source: BBC
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