US issues urgent warning to Americans in Lebanon amid Israeli airstrikes

Following a series of Israeli airstrikes on over 50 sites in southern Lebanon on Saturday night, the U.S. government issued an urgent warning to its citizens in Lebanon. In response to these intensified strikes, particularly in southern Lebanon and Beirut, the U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory, urging Americans to leave the country while commercial options remain available.

The advisory recommends that U.S. citizens depart Lebanon using commercial transportation. While a Level 4 travel advisory—the highest alert—had previously been issued for southern Lebanon, this update now extends the warning to the entire country.

“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,” the State Department said.

We updated our travel advisory to urge U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon via commercial options while they are still available. Visit our website for more information: https://t.co/ArXrttOl3Y

— U.S. Embassy Beirut (@usembassybeirut) September 21, 2024

‘Be prepared to shelter’

The advisory also cautioned those choosing to remain: “Be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate further. The U.S. Embassy strongly encourages citizens in southern Lebanon, near the Syrian border, and in refugee settlements to leave immediately.”

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated sharply in recent days, coinciding with the broader cross-border conflict triggered by Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The conflict has resulted in nearly 41,400 deaths, predominantly women and children, following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7 last year.