Australia urges citizens to leave Lebanon amid rising tensions
Passengers stranded due to the suspension or delay of flights at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport in response to the potential threat of an Israeli military attack on Lebanon on July 29, 2024. (AA Photo)
Australia on Wednesday urged its citizens to leave Lebanon amid rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.
“My message to Australian citizens and residents in Lebanon is: now is the time to leave. If you are in Australia and considering traveling to Lebanon, do not,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a video message on X.
Wong emphasized that commercial flights are still operating, advising, “If you can leave, you should.” She cautioned that Beirut Airport could face closure if the situation deteriorates.
The call comes in response to escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, triggered by a missile attack on Saturday targeting the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. While Israel has attributed the attack to Hezbollah, the Lebanese group has denied involvement.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military conducted a targeted strike on southern Beirut, killing senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. Israel described the strike as a “precision strike” in retaliation for the Majdal Shams attack.
