Amid escalating regional tensions, urgent calls have been made for foreign nationals to leave Lebanon. This comes as Iran and its allies prepare to respond to recent high-profile killings attributed to Israel.
Diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict are underway, with French President Emmanuel Macron and Jordan’s King Abdullah II emphasizing the need to avoid a regional military escalation. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that any attack on Israel would result in severe repercussions.
The nearly 10-month-long war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has already caused significant regional violence. On Sunday, an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City schools sheltering displaced people killed at least 30 individuals, marking the 11th school hit in Gaza since July 6.
In Lebanon, cross-border hostilities have intensified, with Hezbollah announcing the deaths of two fighters and Israeli strikes killing two people in the southern village of Hula. The Lebanese health ministry reported ongoing Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah continued to launch rockets at northern Israel.
Saudi Arabia and France have joined other nations in advising their citizens to leave Lebanon. France also recommended that its nationals in Iran temporarily depart due to the volatile security situation. Several Western airlines have suspended flights to Lebanon and other regional airports, with Qatar Airways limiting its Doha-Beirut route to daylight operations.
The recent assassinations of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah’s military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut have heightened tensions. These killings, attributed to Israel, have prompted vows of retaliation from Iran and its allied groups. Efforts to broker a ceasefire and hostage-release deal by Qatari, Egyptian, and US mediators continue.
Analysts anticipate measured but coordinated responses from Iran and its allies. The United States has increased its military presence in the region to prevent the situation from escalating further. The G7 group of democracies has expressed strong concern over the potential for greater conflict, stressing the urgency of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza to reduce regional tensions.
