The US flag flies in front of the new consular facility at the US embassy in Awkar, northeast of the Lebanese capital Beirut, during an inauguration ceremony 30 May 2003. AFP PHOTO/Joseph BARRAK (Photo by Joseph BARRAK / AFP)

Non-Essential US Embassy Staff In Lebanon Allowed To Leave

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in world news October 18, 2023

The United States recently allowed nonessential US embassy staff and their families in Lebanon to leave on Tuesday. This follows the unpredictable security situation in Lebanon caused by the Israel-Hamas war.

The State Department also raised its travel advisory for Lebanon from level 3 to level 4, the highest level. This came as a warning to its American citizens to avoid travel to the country.

“Do not travel to Lebanon due to the unpredictable security situation related to rockets, missiles and artillery exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah or other armed militant factions,” the State Department said on Tuesday.

Hamas launched a colossal offensive against Israel on October 7 where over 1,400 people lost their lives, most of them civilians.

Israel retaliated with air strikes against the Gaza Strip, killing about 3000 people, most of them also being civilians.

Hezbollah, based in Lebanon and backed by Iran has since had its hand in a couple of tit-for-tat incidents along the south Lebanese border with Israel.

They declared a day of rage after a blast ripped through a Gaza hospital on Tuesday killing hundreds. Israel and Palestine blamed one another for the blast but neither claim could be verified independently.

Other countries like France have also urged their citizens to void travel to Lebanon as several airlines have suspended flights.

Canada, Spain, Germany and Australia have issued travel warnings. Britain’s foreign office told its nationals to consider leaving while commercial means are still available.

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