Leave Lebanon now, US government tells citizens

The U.S. State Department has issued an urgent call for Americans in Lebanon to leave the country while commercial flights are still available, as hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah escalate.

The State Department said in an updated travel advisory, “Due to the unpredictable nature of the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available.”

Late Saturday, the Israeli military reported that dozens of warplanes were striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, as cross-border clashes intensify amid growing concerns of a broader conflict.

Israel also implemented additional security measures in the country’s northern region.

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“In the last hour, we are attacking widely in southern Lebanon following the identification of Hezbollah’s preparations to fire into Israeli territory,” said military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari in a televised statement shortly after 8:00 pm (1700 GMT).

“Dozens of air force aircraft are currently attacking terror targets and launchers to eliminate threats against the citizens of Israel.”

Earlier, the military said it had struck thousands of rocket launcher barrels and other Hezbollah targets.

The Middle East has witnessed increased tension in recent days following pager explosions that rocked Lebanon.

Beirut and Hezbollah blame Israel for the attacks, alleging Israel placed explosive charges in imported pager devices and remotely detonated them.

Israel has remained silent, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office distancing itself from an incriminating social media post by his advisor, Topaz Luk.

The international community has condemned the attacks, with human rights groups warning they endanger civilian lives and violate laws of war.

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