Canada Urges Citizens to Leave Lebanon Amid Rising Tensions
Canada has joined a growing list of Western governments advising their citizens to leave Lebanon or avoid traveling there due to escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. As fears of a potential war increase, Global Affairs Canada has issued a stern warning to Canadians currently in Lebanon.
“There is no evacuation operation underway for Canadians currently in Lebanon and you should not rely on the Government of Canada for any future assisted departures or evacuation,” stated Global Affairs Canada in an email to Canadians registered in Lebanon.
Other countries, including the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany, have also issued travel warnings. European airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, and Eurowings have canceled flights to Beirut’s international airport in response to the rising hostilities.
“In light of the recent escalation in hostilities, we remind all Canadians in Lebanon of our existing Travel Advice which is to leave Lebanon while some commercial flights are still available. Some airlines have already temporarily suspended service to Beirut Airport. Further flight cancellations and disruptions may occur with little or no notice,” Global Affairs Canada added.
The heightened state of alert comes after a deadly missile strike over the weekend, which Israel has attributed to Hezbollah, a claim the Lebanese Iranian-backed militant group denies. In retaliation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Hezbollah “will pay a heavy price for this attack, one that it has not paid so far.”
The incident has intensified fears that ongoing conflicts in the border region could escalate into a broader regional war, amidst continued fighting in Gaza. In response, senior negotiators from Israel, the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt convened in Rome over the weekend to attempt to revive a ceasefire and prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas.
Simultaneously, a diplomatic effort is underway to prevent further conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. On Tuesday, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the situation as “very concerning” and urged “all parties to act with caution.” White House spokesperson John Kirby also condemned the strike and emphasized the importance of diplomacy.
“We certainly don’t believe that, as horrific as this attack was over the weekend, that it needs to result in any kind of escalation or risk of a bigger war,” Kirby stated. “No nation can be expected to tolerate the kind of severe threats that Israelis face. At the same time, we believe that there is still time and space for a diplomatic solution.”
As tensions continue to mount, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that avoids further bloodshed and instability in the region.