The British government has announced on its official website that the UK Foreign Office has withdrawn some of its embassy staff from Lebanon due to the security situation.
The statement reads, “Due to the security situation, some of the staff at the British embassy and all of their family members have been temporarily withdrawn.”
The statement also noted that the embassy continues to carry out important tasks, including providing services to British citizens.
Since the start of the conflict between Israel and Gaza on October 7th last year, the Lebanese-Israeli border has witnessed sporadic exchanges of fire between the Israeli army on one side and Hezbollah and Palestinian factions on the other. This has resulted in casualties on both sides.
Israel has stated that its war on Gaza was in response to the “Aqsa Tempest” operation launched by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas on October 7th, targeting settlements near Gaza. This operation resulted in the deaths of more than 1,400 Israelis and the capture of over 200 others.
The Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have resulted in the deaths of 9,770 people and injuries to around 25,000 others. Additionally, the clashes in the West Bank have led to the deaths of more than 153 Palestinians and injuries to around 2,200 others.
Hezbollah’s Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, addressed the public on Friday, refuting any association with the recent Hamas attack on Israel.
This marked his first speech since the outbreak of the conflict. Nasrallah categorically stated that his formidable armed group, a key ally of Hamas, was entirely unaware of the October 7 attack that resulted in the death of 1,400 Israelis.
Nasrallah asserted that the operation was “100% Palestinian in terms of decision and execution,” vehemently rejecting allegations that the Iran-backed group played a role in the assault.
