The United States has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon on “any ticket available” as fears grow that war could spread in the Middle East.
Britain, Sweden, France, Canada and Jordan have also issued similar warnings.
Iran blamed Israel for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday and vowed “severe” revenge against Israel. His assassination came hours after Israel killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.
There are concerns that the Iranian-backed Lebanon-based Hezbollah could play a significant role in such a retaliation, which could eventually trigger a serious Israeli counterattack.
Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at the northern Israeli town of Beit Hillel at around 00:25 local time on Sunday (21:25 GMT on Saturday).
Video posted on social media shows Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system intercepting the rocket. There were no reports of casualties.
that much US Embassy Those who choose to stay in Lebanon on Saturday should “prepare emergency plans” and “be prepared for a long-term evacuation,” it said.
Several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights, and many are sold out, but “commercial transport out of Lebanon remains available,” it said.
The Department of Defense said so. Deploy additional battleships and fighters It was deployed to the region to defend Israel against potential attacks by Iran and its proxies.
Britain said it would send extra soldiers, consular staff and border force personnel to assist with the evacuation, but urged British citizens to leave Lebanon “while commercial flights are operating”.
Two British warships are already in the area, and the Royal Air Force has transport helicopters on standby.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the situation in the region “could deteriorate rapidly”.
Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, at least 17 students attending a school that shelters migrants were killed in an Israeli airstrike, the Hamas-run government said on Saturday.
The Israeli military said the Hamama school in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood was being used as a command center by militants. Hamas denies operating from civilian facilities.
Israeli ministers returned home this weekend with satellite phones in case the country’s communications infrastructure is attacked.
In April Iran launches airstrikes on Israel They used 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and at least 110 ballistic missiles.
It was retaliation against Israel. Iranian Consulate Bombing In Damascus, Syria.
Many fear that Iran’s retaliation this time could take a similar form.
In a phone call with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday, Iran’s acting foreign minister, Ali Bakeri Khani, said Iran would exercise its “undoubtedly inherent and legitimate right” to “punish” Israel.
On Friday, an announcer on Iranian state TV warned that “the world will witness an incredible spectacle.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israelis that “challenging days are ahead… We hear threats from all sides. We are prepared for any scenario.”
Tensions between Israel and Iran first flared after an airstrike on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights killed 12 children and teenagers.
Israel has blamed Hezbollah and vowed “severe” retaliation, but Hezbollah denies any involvement.
A few days later, a senior Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Four others, including two children, were also killed.
Hours later, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated in IranA major supporter of Hamas, he was visiting Iran to attend the inauguration of the new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel “harsh punishment” For murder.
