US urges American citizens in Lebanon to leave due to Israel-Hezbollah escalation
Date
7/30/2024 9:21:53 AM
(MENAFN) On Monday, the US Embassy in Beirut issued an urgent advisory for American citizens in Lebanon, urging them to prepare crisis plans and consider departing the country due to escalating tensions and fears of a potential Israeli attack. The advisory comes amid rising hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel following a missile strike on the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday. The attack resulted in the deaths of 12 people and injuries to 40 others, with Israel attributing the incident to Hezbollah, although the Lebanese group has denied any involvement.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Rena Bitter, emphasized the importance of having a crisis action plan and advised Americans to leave Lebanon before any potential crisis escalates. In her video message, Bitter also suggested that if commercial flights become unavailable, individuals in Lebanon should be prepared to shelter in place for extended periods.
In response to the missile attack, Israel's military has reportedly developed scenarios for a possible retaliatory strike against Hezbollah and is currently reviewing these plans at a political level. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Hezbollah will face severe repercussions for the attack, heightening concerns about a potential full-scale conflict.
The situation is further complicated by the ongoing and deadly Israeli assault on Gaza, which has claimed over 39,300 lives since last October following an attack by a Palestinian resistance group. The escalating violence and cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel are contributing to fears of a broader regional conflict.
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