US, UK urge citizens to leave Lebanon on any available ticket amidst fears of war between Israel and Hezbollah

NEW DELHI: The US and UK have asked their citizens to leave Lebanon amid growing fears of war in West Asia. The two countries have directed to leave Lebanon as early as possible on any available ticket. The directive is in wake of the possibility that war between Israel and Hezbollah could break out at any time.

Although some airlines have suspended operations in the country, flights are still available and citizens should book any available flight to leave the West Asian country, the US Embassy in Lebanon said. The UK government has advised all British nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately. ‘Tensions are rising and the situation will quickly deteriorate," British Foreign Minister David Lammy said in a statement.

Apart from the US and the UK, many other countries have also directed their citizens to leave the West Asian country. India also asked its citizens to leave Lebanon after the conflict escalated. After the Israeli attack on Beirut, the Indian Embassy in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, asked all its citizens to leave the country.

Since October 7 last year, the conflict in the Middle East has erupted due to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Tensions have been escalating since the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and a senior leader of Lebanon-based Hezbollah. Iran and shadowy groups are active in planning a massive encirclement of Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the attack on Israel.

After the killing of Haniyeh, Israel confirmed that it had killed Hamas military chief Mohammad Deif, adding to the tension. On July 13, Deif was killed in an attack in Al Mawasi, west of Khan Yunis. There were reports that he was seriously injured. 71 Palestinians were also killed in the attack.

Meantime, Iranian officials held talks with representatives of Gaza's Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Lebanon's Hezbollah, Yemen's Houthis, and armed groups in Iraq and Syria. The US has also announced that it will help defend Israel.