US urges swift evacuation from Lebanon as tensions surge

The US State Department issued a stark travel advisory on Saturday, urging American citizens to leave the country while commercial flights are still operating. The warning comes as tensions escalate between Hezbollah and Israel, compounded by recent explosions, including in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

“Due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available,” the advisory emphasized, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

Though flights are still running, capacity has been reduced, raising concerns that departures could become increasingly difficult if the security situation further deteriorates. The advisory strongly recommended that Americans in high-risk areas, particularly near the southern border with Syria and in refugee settlements, evacuate immediately.

This call for action comes as tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have spiked, driven by intensified cross-border warfare linked to Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza. The violence has led to nearly 41,400 casualties, with women and children among the hardest hit, following a Hamas-led cross-border attack in October last year.

With the potential for further conflict on the horizon, the US is pressing its citizens to act swiftly, warning that exit options may narrow in the face of escalating violence.