In anticipation of an Israeli response to the Majdal Shams strike, international calls have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon.
On Monday, the United States advised its citizens to exit Lebanon before any potential crisis, while Germany urged its nationals to leave the Middle Eastern country “immediately” due to the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
According to a post on the U.S. Embassy’s account on the “X” platform, the American embassy in Beirut advised its citizens to “depart Lebanon before any crisis begins.”
In a message from Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Rena Bitter, published on “X,” Americans in Lebanon were reminded to register in the STEP program and follow other preparedness recommendations to ensure their safety and the safety of their loved ones.
Germany has similarly called on its citizens to leave Lebanon urgently to avoid potential harm, urging all parties to “prevent escalation.”
A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry stated on Monday, “We advise German nationals to leave Lebanon immediately.”
Italy also urged its nationals to leave Lebanon for their safety.
Earlier, a German Foreign Ministry spokesperson called on all parties involved in the Middle East conflict, particularly Iran, to prevent an escalation following the rocket attack on the Golan Heights, which resulted in 12 fatalities over the weekend.
Prior to this, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut had issued warnings and recommendations to its citizens considering travel to Lebanon amidst increasing regional tensions that have disrupted flight schedules.
In a statement posted on its official website, the embassy advised Americans traveling to Lebanon to verify their flight schedules and remain vigilant, as flight paths may change without prior notice.
The statement highlighted that the security environment in Lebanon remains “complex and can change rapidly,” adding, “The U.S. Embassy reminds American citizens to review the current travel advisory, which strongly urges them to reconsider travel to Lebanon.”
