Major warning to Americans to leave Lebanon as evacuation begins

The United States’ Embassy in Beirut is telling any Americans still in the country to get out, as Joe Biden sends in troops to respond to a surge in violence between Israel and Hezbollah. This follows a similar call by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as Israeli strikes continue to shake the country, leaving thousands dead, injured or displaced.

The Embassy is providing limited flight options out of the nearest airport despite a majority of airlines canceling flights. If American citizens wishing to leave lack funds to go back, the Embassy is offering financial assistance via repatriation loans. ‘We recommend that U.S. citizens who choose not to depart Lebanon prepare contingency plans for emergency situations and be prepared to shelter in place for an extended period of time,’ they added in a statement.

Israel expanded its aerial assaults on Lebanon with airstrikes Monday that killed nearly 500 people, wounded over 1,600 more and appeared to signal the start of a broader military campaign. The state of Israel said it was targeting ‘terrorists’ linked to Hezbollah, the group that has been firing rockets into Israel.

The Pentagon announced on Monday that ‘additional’ service members would be deployed to join the 40,000 already stationed in the region along with a dozen warships and fighter jet squadrons. Israeli forces have ramped up their airstrikes deep inside Lebanon and the State Department has warned all Americans to leave as the risk of conflict spirals to levels not seen in years.

Tensions have reached boiling point in the last seven days, and started to deteriorate when pagers and walkie talkies owned by members of Hezbollah exploded in a coordinated attack last week. Devastating airstrikes by the Israeli military on Monday killed at least 100 people and injured another 400 in Lebanon as IDF warplanes pummeled targets across the country.

Terrified residents in Beirut and elsewhere received calls and texts warning them to move away from Hezbollah targets, with Lebanon’s information minister condemning the alerts as a tactic of ‘psychological war implemented by the enemy’. Schools have been closed early during the heavy attacks that have sparked calls for international intervention.

The Biden administration has warned Israel that escalation is not in their best interest and still want a diplomatic solution. At a speech given at the United Nations Tuesday, Biden called for peace in the Middle East.

‘Now is the time for the parties to finalize its terms, bring the hostages home and secure security for Israel and Gaza, free of Hamas grip ease the suffering in Gaza and end this war. October 7,’ he said. ‘Since October 7, we’ve also been determined to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire region,’ he said. ‘Our task, our test is to make sure that the forces holding us together are stronger than those that are pulling us apart,’ Biden said. ‘I truly believe we’re in another inflection point of world history. For the choices we make today will determine our future for decades to come.’

At the Pentagon, Press Secretary Gen. Pat Ryder (pictured) would not confirm how many troops would be deployed or where they are going. ‘In light of the increased tensions in the Middle East, and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region,’ he said. ‘

Due to the unpredictable nature of 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 cautioned Saturday.

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