Countries Intensify Travel Warnings to Lebanon as Tension with Israel Escalates

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States, United Kingdom, and France, along with several other countries, issued urgent travel warnings or advisories on Sunday urging their citizens to avoid or leave Lebanon immediately. These warnings came as tensions between the Lebanese Hezbollah group and Israel escalated.

The US Embassy in Beirut advised its citizens traveling to or from Lebanon to "monitor their flight status closely" as changes could occur with little notice. It also emphasized the need for travelers to "make alternate plans" if necessary.

In addition, the embassy underscored Lebanon’s "complex and rapidly changing" security environment, urging its citizens to take note of the current travel advisory, which recommends reconsidering travel to the country.

US citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive updates and facilitate location tracking in emergencies.

Meanwhile, France condemned the attack on the town of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

"We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the victims, who included several children, and our solidarity to those injured," the French government said in a statement on Sunday, July 28, 2024.

It reiterated its advice for French nationals to avoid travel to Lebanon, Israel, or the Palestinian Territories.

The UK Foreign Office also updated its travel advisory, urging British nationals to exercise extreme caution and avoid "all travel to Lebanon."

Aside from the three countries, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, Noway, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, and Australia also advised their citizens to refrain from traveling to Lebanon or leave the country immediately, as situations remain volatile. 

The travel advisory on the Netherlands' government website remains valid, indicating that the situation is marked by high risk and the Dutch embassy may not be able to assist in an emergency.

Australia reiterated its travel warning and advised its citizens not to travel to Lebanon and to leave the country while commercial flights are still available.

The Australian government highlighted the instability of the security situation and warned that Beirut airport may close, potentially limiting options for leaving the country.

Tensions in the region further escalated after the Israeli army on Sunday presented the government with scenarios for a possible attack on Hezbollah following a missile strike that killed 12 people, according to Israeli media.

The escalation comes against the backdrop of a deadly Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which has killed more than 39,300 people since last October, following an attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

ANADOLU

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