Fearing escalating tensions, countries urge citizens to leave Lebanon

On July 31, the US State Department raised its travel advisory for Lebanon to level 4, "do not travel." The travel advisory said the attack on the Golan Heights "increases the risk of further escalation" between Israel and Hezbollah.

Switzerland also called on its citizens to leave Lebanon, noting the extremely unstable situation in the country.

In its updated Lebanon travel advisory, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said: "The Federal Foreign Office recommends that Swiss citizens leave the country by their own means if possible and safe."

The Swiss Embassy in Beirut remains open and will continue to provide regular services.

According to the ministry, nearly 1,000 Swiss citizens were living in Lebanon as of the end of 2022.

On the same day, Australia asked its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately, emphasizing the risk that tensions between Israel and the Hezbollah movement could escalate seriously.

Ms Wong said Beirut airport could close completely if the situation worsened, potentially leaving those wanting to leave stranded for “a long time.”

She urged Australians to use commercial flights while the airport is still operating.

According to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs website, there are around 15,000 Australians living in Lebanon, a number that increases by thousands during the country’s summer months of June to September.

Global Affairs Canada has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon or avoid travel there. The ministry said there are currently no evacuations underway for Canadians in Lebanon.

Israel has carried out an attack on the Lebanese capital Beirut, and it is reported that a senior Hezbollah commander was killed in the attack. Lebanon is said to be preparing to retaliate against Israel.

The Israel-Lebanon tensions come amid a conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip that has killed tens of thousands of people and sparked a humanitarian crisis, raising fears the conflict could spread across the region.