On Saturday, the UK government advised its citizens in Lebanon to depart the country without delay due to concerns over escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, and the potential for a wider regional conflict.
"The situation is volatile and may worsen quickly," stated Foreign Minister David Lammy. "We are enhancing our consular support in Lebanon, but I urge British nationals to exit immediately." The US embassy in Lebanon also encouraged citizens to leave using any available means, despite flight disruptions.
Hezbollah's leader declared that the group would retaliate for Israel's assassination of its chief commander. This follows Israel's announcement that it had eliminated Fuad Shukr, whom it identified as Hezbollah's highest-ranking commander and held responsible for a recent attack that resulted in the deaths of several young people in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Since October 7, Hezbollah has engaged in frequent cross-border exchanges with Israeli forces, following Israel's initiation of a military operation in the Gaza Strip. The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of at least 518 individuals in Lebanon, including 104 civilians, according to an AFP count.
