Foreign Secretary David Lammy warns of deteriorating conditions in Lebanon as Israel launches operations against Hezbollah

In response to escalating violence in Lebanon, the UK government has arranged a charter flight for British nationals and their families to leave the country. The flight is scheduled to depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday. Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the situation as “volatile” and warned that it could “deteriorate quickly,” prompting immediate evacuation plans for UK citizens.

The flight will prioritize vulnerable individuals, including spouses, partners, and children under 18 of British nationals. The government estimates that approximately 5,000 British single and dual nationals are currently in Lebanon, including their immediate family members. Lammy emphasized the urgency of the situation, advising citizens to leave now, as further evacuation opportunities may not be guaranteed.

This UK evacuation effort comes as Israel has commenced a “limited, localized and targeted” ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, Israeli airstrikes on Monday resulted in at least 95 fatalities. Lammy chaired a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Monday to discuss the conflict and coordinate the UK’s response.

British military assets have been positioned in Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean as a precautionary measure, although officials are urging Britons to utilize commercial flights while they remain available. Cyprus is expected to serve as the primary hub for evacuations, having previously facilitated the exodus of around 60,000 individuals during the Hezbollah-Israel war in 2006. Neighboring Turkey has also offered to assist with evacuation efforts.

The United States has begun deploying troops to Cyprus to prepare for possible evacuation scenarios involving American citizens in Lebanon. Most evacuation planning focuses on maritime options due to the challenges of land routes, as Lebanon shares borders with Israel and Syria. Travel by sea to Cyprus takes about 10 hours, while a flight from Beirut takes roughly 40 minutes.

Germany has already evacuated non-essential embassy staff, families of embassy personnel, and medically vulnerable German nationals. Citizens in Lebanon can utilize commercial flights to exit, according to the German foreign ministry.

France has been urging its citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon and has established evacuation plans focusing on Cyprus and Beirut airports. The French military has a warship and helicopter carrier positioned in the region but will take days to mobilize for evacuation support.

Canada has secured 800 seats on commercial flights over the next three days for its citizens in Lebanon, with the next flight leaving on Wednesday. Approximately 45,000 Canadians are currently in the country. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly urged citizens to take available seats promptly.

Australia has also advised its estimated 15,000 nationals in Lebanon to leave while Beirut airport remains operational. Reports suggest that Canada and Australia are collaborating on a plan to use a commercial vessel for daily evacuations.

Bulgaria has successfully evacuated 89 nationals, with ongoing discussions about further evacuations. Meanwhile, the Greek foreign ministry is advising its citizens to leave Lebanon, and Italy has increased security at its embassy while reducing non-essential staff.

Lammy reiterated the importance of immediate action, stating, “We will do all that we can to assist people to get out… the situation on the ground is fast-moving.” He highlighted discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, agreeing that an immediate ceasefire is essential for stabilization.

As of now, spaces on commercial flights for British nationals are still available, with additional arrangements in place for ongoing evacuations.

INDEPENDENT

As tensions escalate in Lebanon amid Israeli attacks, the UK Foreign Office has urged British citizens to leave the country while commercial options remain available. The situation has deteriorated significantly, prompting the government to dispatch 700 troops to Cyprus in preparation for a potential evacuation of up to 10,000 Britons.

Currently, Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut remains operational, but most airlines have cancelled flights, leading to a severe shortage of available seats. Middle East Airlines (MEA) is providing some flights, but demand far exceeds supply, making it challenging for travellers to secure tickets. The UK government is actively working to arrange additional seats on these flights and has pledged to bolster embassy support for citizens wishing to leave.

The Foreign Office has cautioned against using land routes for exiting Lebanon. While the border with Israel is closed, the border with Syria is open, although travel to Syria is strongly discouraged due to ongoing conflict and safety concerns. Some travellers are reportedly risking the journey through Syria to reach Turkey, where they can find flights back to the UK. Alternatively, evacuations by sea to Cyprus are a possibility, but logistical challenges remain due to the distance from Lebanon’s key ports.

In summary, while Beirut Airport is operational, flight options are severely limited, and travellers are advised to leave via commercial flights while they can, as the situation remains volatile and could worsen with little warning.

SKY NEWS

In response to escalating violence in Lebanon, the UK government has arranged a charter flight for British nationals wishing to leave the country. This flight is scheduled to depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday, prioritizing vulnerable individuals, along with their spouses, partners, and children under 18.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the volatility of the situation, noting that safety remains the government’s top priority. He urged British citizens to take advantage of this flight, highlighting that further evacuation options may not be guaranteed as conditions worsen. While the UK government will cover the cost of chartering the flight, passengers will be required to pay a fee of £350 per seat.

The situation in Lebanon has intensified, particularly after the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in recent Israeli airstrikes. This development has raised fears of a full-scale regional conflict, especially with Hezbollah indicating its readiness to engage should Israel initiate a ground offensive.

In addition to the charter flight, the UK government is working to increase capacity on commercial flights and has deployed a rapid response unit to assist the estimated 5,000 British nationals currently in Lebanon. With 700 British troops stationed in Cyprus, the government is coordinating efforts to facilitate a safe return for its citizens.

Lammy reiterated the urgency of the situation, advising those who have not yet left to do so immediately. He indicated that as circumstances can change rapidly, the government’s ability to protect nationals may be compromised if the conflict escalates further.

BBC

The UK government has chartered a commercial flight to facilitate the departure of British nationals from Lebanon amid escalating violence in the region. This move comes as the situation is described as “volatile,” particularly following Israel’s announcement of a targeted ground operation against Hezbollah.

The flight is scheduled to depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday, with priority given to vulnerable individuals, British nationals, and their dependents, including spouses and children under 18. Passengers will be required to pay a fee of £350 per seat. Non-British dependents wishing to board will need to have a valid visa for the UK.

As tensions rise, including airstrikes in Beirut and military operations in southern Lebanon, the Foreign Office is advising British citizens to leave immediately, emphasizing that the situation could change rapidly. The UK has deployed nearly 700 troops to Cyprus in preparation for possible evacuations.

With the ongoing conflict resulting in significant casualties and displacement, the UK government, alongside international partners, is urging for de-escalation and highlighting the need for a ceasefire to seek a political resolution.