Government organizes flight to evacuate British citizens from Lebanon
Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed concerns about the volatile situation in Lebanon, emphasizing the potential for a rapid deterioration.
The British government has arranged for a commercial flight to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon following Israel’s announcement of “limited, localized, and targeted ground raids” against Hezbollah in the southern part of the country.
British nationals and their dependents can board the flight from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Additional flights will depend on demand and the security conditions on the ground, as stated by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) in a press release issued on Monday.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy reiterated the priority of ensuring the safety of British citizens in Lebanon and emphasized the importance of taking immediate action to leave the country.
Lammy stated, “The UK government is facilitating a flight for those wishing to depart. It is crucial to leave now, as further evacuation may not be guaranteed.”
In a video message shared on the social media platform X on Tuesday, Lammy reinforced the call for Britons to secure a seat on the chartered flight, urging them to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the UK government.
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The government confirmed that it has been working with partners to secure seats on commercial flights, with this chartered flight providing additional capacity to support the evacuation efforts.
Last week, approximately 700 British troops were deployed to Cyprus along with FCDO and Border Force officials as part of contingency plans to assist British citizens in the region.
The FCDO announced that a Rapid Deployment Team has arrived in Lebanon to provide support to British Embassy officials.
Israel Targets Hezbollah
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) disclosed that its ground forces crossed into southern Lebanon on Monday for “limited, localized, and targeted ground raids” against Hezbollah, focusing on terrorist targets and infrastructure near the border that pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.
The military action by Israel against Hezbollah commenced after the terrorist group launched rockets into northern Israel from southern Lebanon following a deadly terror attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.
Tensions escalated steadily over the past year between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israel aiming to push back Hezbollah from its border to enable the return of Israelis to their homes.
In recent weeks, Israeli forces eliminated several senior figures in Hezbollah, including the commander of Hezbollah’s Preventative Security Unit, Nabil Qaouk, and the leader of the terrorist group, Hassan Nasrallah.
The IDF targeted sites in Hodeida, including a seaport and power plants used by the Houthis for transferring oil, Iranian weapons, and military supplies to the area. This strike followed the interception of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis, targeting Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.
Calls for Ceasefire
Last week, the UK, alongside allies like the United States and France, called on the governments of Israel and Lebanon to agree to a 21-day ceasefire, as well as advocating for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Starmer addressed the U.N. Security Council, expressing concerns about the escalation in the region and emphasizing the need for all parties to de-escalate and work towards a diplomatic resolution through a ceasefire.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with Foreign Secretary David Lammy (centre left) attend the Security Council during the 79th United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, on Sept. 25, 2024. Leon Neal/PA Wire
Hezbollah, established in the 1980s during the Lebanese civil war, is a Shia Muslim political and paramilitary organization. It has been designated as a terrorist group by Israel, the UK, the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, the Gulf Co-operation Council, and Bahrain.
