The United States has reiterated its warning against travel to Lebanon due to the escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, as concerns grow that the conflict could escalate into a full-scale war.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut issued a stern advisory to citizens asking them to “seriously reconsider any travel to Lebanon,” citing the volatile security environment that “remains complex and may change rapidly.”
According to The National, which cited information gathered by NBC from past and present defense officials, the United States is repositioning some naval assets closer to Israel and Lebanon in anticipation of the need for military evacuations of Americans if the conflict escalates.
In addition, an official noted that the presence of these ships is intended to serve as a deterrent against further escalation.
This week, many countries urged their citizens to leave Lebanon.
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry has advised its nationals against traveling to Lebanon via a post on the social media platform X.
Similarly, Germany and the Netherlands have called on their citizens to leave Lebanon amid escalating hostilities. Canada, North Macedonia and Kuwait have already issued similar advisories due to rising tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border.
France, an important diplomatic player in Lebanon, has expressed its deep concern over the gravity of the situation.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut had already advised American citizens to avoid the Lebanon-Israel border, the Lebanon-Syria border, and refugee camps. That advisory was reiterated Thursday, urging citizens to “seriously reconsider any travel to Lebanon.”
Hezbollah said Thursday it had launched “dozens” of rockets at a military base in northern Israel, in retaliation for recent Israeli airstrikes that killed four of its fighters. The attack targeted “the Israeli army’s main air and missile defense base.” [Israeli] “Northern Zone Command,” according to the Hezbollah statement.
The Israeli military confirmed that “35 shots were identified coming from Lebanon,” and that air defenses “managed to intercept most of the shots.” No injuries were reported following the incident.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
