The US and UK Urge Their Citizens to Leave Lebanon Immediately

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the United States and the United Kingdom on Saturday, August 4, urged their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately. The US Embassy in Beirut issued a statement noting the cancellation of many international flights to and from Lebanon, advising American citizens wishing to exit Lebanon to purchase any available ticket, "even if that flight does not depart immediately or is not their preferred route." The US Embassy also expressed readiness to assist American citizens needing financial help for their departure. For those who do not intend to leave Lebanon, the US Embassy recommended preparing for emergencies and seeking shelter for an extended period. According to the statement, American citizens may not be able to leave Lebanon with all family members or take pets with them. The US Embassy in Jerusalem also warned American citizens in Israel on Friday, August 3, that the security situation in the region is complex and can change rapidly. The embassy urged US citizens to plan their exit from Israel as soon as possible, given the potential for increased regional tensions and flight cancellations to and from Israel. In this context, the UK government on Saturday issued a statement urging British citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately, citing the possibility of a "rapid deterioration of the situation" in the Middle East. The statement noted that additional staff have been sent to Lebanon to support British Embassy employees in Beirut. The UK government emphasized that the escalation of conflicts in the region benefits no one and called for de-escalation and finding a diplomatic solution. Concurrently, as tensions rise in the Middle East, airlines such as "Air Europa" and "Iberia" from Spain, as well as French airlines, announced the cancellation of their flights on Saturday, August 4. On Friday, KLM also canceled its flights to and from Tel Aviv for about three months. Poland also advised its citizens on Friday to avoid traveling to Iran, Israel, and Lebanon, with the Polish airline canceling eight flights to Lebanon and Israel due to the "security situation in the region." Senior officials of the Islamic Republic, including Ali Khamenei, the leader, and Hezbollah in Lebanon, have warned that they will not leave the killings of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas's political bureau, and Fawad Shukr, the highest military commander of Hezbollah and a close aide to Hassan Nasrallah, unanswered. Meanwhile, Axios reported, citing three American officials, that the Biden administration believes the Islamic Republic intends to retaliate against Israel in response to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The report mentioned that the Pentagon has not dispatched additional troops following the escalation of tensions in the Middle East due to the deaths of senior Hamas and Hezbollah officials, but the United States has stationed at least 12 warships in the surrounding areas. Israel has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on Fawad Shukr, identifying him as the perpetrator of the deadly attack in northern Israel that killed 12 Israeli children, but has not claimed responsibility for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh. Meanwhile, an Israeli government spokesperson stated on Thursday, August 2, that Israel is prepared for any eventuality in response to threats from the Islamic Republic and its allies regarding "retaliation" for the killings of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, and will respond "severely" to any attack. The Islamic Republic's representation stated that Hezbollah may target Israeli civilians and soldiers in response to the killing of Fawad Shukr. Forty-eight Republican senators criticized the Biden administration for the "delay" in sending weapons to Israel, urging an end to "accommodating" the Islamic Republic. Yoav Gallant stated that cooperation between the US and Israel against the Islamic Republic and its proxies is "vital" for regional security. Biden noted that the killing of Haniyeh was not beneficial for achieving a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza war. The New York Times reported that the US is preparing to send more warplanes to the Middle East. Poland warned its citizens to avoid traveling to "Iran, Israel, and Lebanon." Regional media reported that Hezbollah is evacuating its positions in Beirut and that the Islamic Republic's proxies are on alert. The largest airline in India has canceled its flights to Israel for a week. France has warned its citizens to leave Iran "immediately" amid unprecedented tensions in the Middle East. Biden and Netanyahu discussed the US commitment to Israel's security against threats from the Islamic Republic. The killing of Fawad Shukr is considered the heaviest blow to Hezbollah in Lebanon in 16 years.