01 October 2024 , 08:05
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The UK government has chartered a flight to get British people out of Lebanon after the Israeli military started ‘limited’ ground raids against Hezbollah.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the situation as ‘volatile’ and with the ‘potential to deteriorate quickly’ as the flight was confirmed.
It’s due to leave Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday, and Lammy said the government will do ‘all that we can’ to help Brotons flee the country.
British nationals and their spouses, partners and children under 18 are eligible for the UK flight, and those who are vulnerable will be prioritised.
There are an estimated 5,000 British citizens in Lebanon and the government says it is working on ‘all contingency options’.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Israel told them about the raids, which he said were described as ‘limited operations focused on Hezbollah infrastructure near the border’.
There were no reports of direct clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants, who last engaged in ground combat on Lebanese soil during a month-long war in 2006.
But a Western diplomat in Cairo whose country is directly involved in de-escalation efforts said an Israeli ground operation in Lebanon is ‘imminent.’
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, said Israel had shared its plans with the US and other Western allies, and conveyed the operation will ‘be limited’.
Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire almost every day since the war in Gaza began, displacing tens of thousands of people in Israel and Lebanon.
Israel says it will continue to strike Hezbollah until it is safe for families to return to their homes near the Lebanon border. Hezbollah has promised to keep firing rockets into Israel until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.
It was not clear if Israel had made a final decision on a broader ground operation in Lebanon, but small incursions are being reported from the ground.
Rockets have been firing and Israel has been shelling across the border (Picture: AP)
Hezbollah vowed to keep fighting even after its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah and other top officials were recently wiped out by Israeli strikes.
The group’s acting leader, Naim Kassem, said in a televised statement that if Israel decides to launch a ground offensive, Hezbollah is ready. He said the commanders killed in recent weeks have already been replaced.
The man widely expected to take over the top post from Kassem is Hashem Safieddine, a cousin of Nasrallah who oversees Hezbollah’s political affairs.
Israel’s order restricting entry and exit from the northern communities of Metula, Misgav Am and Kfar Giladi does not necessarily mean Israeli troops will invade Lebanon immediately.
Areas can also be declared closed military zones if an imminent threat is detected.
But the army has heavily beefed up forces along the border in recent days, and commanders have said they are prepared to go into Lebanon if ordered to.
Israeli strikes in recent weeks have hit what the military says are thousands of militant targets across large parts of Lebanon.