Amid heightened border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the US embassy in Beirut issued a warning on Thursday advising American citizens to leave Lebanon.
The advisory comes in the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip.
Both Israel and the United States had previously cautioned their citizens against travel to Lebanon due to the escalating situation.
A statement from the U.S. embassy urged American citizens in Lebanon to promptly make arrangements to depart the country, emphasizing that commercial flight options are currently available.
The intensifying conflict involves daily cross-border exchanges of fire between Hezbollah, allied Palestinian factions, and Israel.
The tensions escalated following a significant assault by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in over 1,400 casualties, primarily civilians.
In response to the situation, Israel has conducted relentless strikes on Gaza, leading to a reported 3,500 casualties, predominantly civilians, according to health officials in the Hamas-controlled territory.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, the U.S. State Department, on Tuesday, raised its travel advisory for Lebanon from level three to four—the highest level issued.
This move underscores the growing concerns over the safety and security of individuals in the region, prompting proactive measures to ensure the well-being of American citizens in Lebanon.
