The United States, Italy and Germany warned their citizens on Monday against staying in Lebanon amid heightened tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.
The Saudi government reaffirmed its decision to ban travel to Lebanon for its citizens, emphasizing the importance of abiding by this directive due to current security concerns.
The US Embassy in Beirut has issued a strong advisory for American nationals in Lebanon, urging those who do not wish to leave to be prepared to stay in place for an extended period.
In a video message, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter emphasized the need for US citizens to “register on the Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP) for free at travel.state.gov or on the US Embassy website to receive direct alerts from the embassy.”
She also advised US citizens “to prepare a crisis action plan and to consider leaving before any crisis begins.”
“If commercial flights are no longer available, those in Lebanon should prepare to shelter in place for extended periods,” she added.
For their part, the German and Italian Foreign Ministries have advised their nationals to leave Lebanon immediately due to a possible risk of escalation.
These warnings come against a backdrop of heightened tensions and constant threats of a possible Israeli strike on Lebanon, following the attack on Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, which resulted in the deaths of 12 young people.
