Washington has called on Americans in Lebanon to leave the country while there are commercial flights, amid an intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, AFP reported.
“Due to the unpredictable nature of the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and the recent explosions in Lebanon, including in Beirut, the U.S. Embassy urges American citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial opportunities remain,” the State Department said.
“Commercial flights are currently available but at reduced capacity. If the security situation deteriorates, commercial flights may become unavailable,” he added.
In late July, the United States raised its travel advisory in Lebanon to the highest “do not travel” level after a top Hezbollah commander was killed in a strike in southern Beirut.
Israel struck southern Beirut again, this time saying it had killed the head of Hezbollah’s elite forces, Radwan, and several other commanders.
Lebanon’s health ministry said 37 people were killed in the strike, which followed sabotage attacks earlier in the week on pagers and two-way radios used by Hezbollah that killed dozens and injured thousands.
Iran-backed Hezbollah blamed Israel, which has not commented on the incident.
In recent weeks, the exchange of remarks and blows has intensified as Israel has turned its attention to its northern border after significantly weakening Hamas.
The US State Department reiterated that Americans should “immediately” leave southern Lebanon, as well as areas near the Syrian border and refugee settlements.
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