The UK Government has arranged a special flight from Lebanon for British nationals eager to depart, as Israel announced the commencement of a “limited, localised” military action in the country’s south.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has labelled the situation in Lebanon as “volatile” and prone to rapid deterioration. This comes as the scheduled departure from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday was confirmed.
Previously, Mr Lammy had renewed his plea for Britons in Lebanon to evacuate and assured that the Government will do “all that we can” to help individuals escape the area.
Following Mr Lammy’s statement, the Israeli military disclosed it had initiated a “limited, localised” campaign against Hezbollah targets within the vicinity.
In an early Tuesday morning statement by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF), it was declared that operations were being conducted against Hezbollah near the border with Israel.
The IDF reported that its air force and artillery units were engaging in strikes to back up ground troops.
“A few hours ago, the IDF began limited, localised and targeted ground raids,” the announcement read.
These operations are focused on villages near the border, which present an immediate danger to communities in northern Israel, according to the IDF.
While no specific timeframe for the southern Lebanon operation was provided by the IDF, they did mention that their forces had been training and gearing up for months to cross the border into combat.
British nationals, along with their spouses, partners, and under-18 children, are eligible for a UK government-chartered flight out of Lebanon, prioritising the vulnerable.
Mr. Lammy remarked: “The situation in Lebanon is volatile and has potential to deteriorate quickly.”
“The safety of British nationals in Lebanon continues to be our utmost priority. That’s why the UK Government is chartering a flight to help those wanting to leave. It is vital that you leave now as further evacuation may not be guaranteed.”
In a discussion with the press on Monday evening, Mr. Lammy mentioned: “We will do all that we can to assist people to get out and we have secured places on commercial flights that are flying tomorrow so that UK nationals can get out.”
“I urge them to leave because the situation on the ground is fast-moving.”
He continued by saying: “And of course, whilst we will do everything we can to protect British nationals and those plans are in place to do so we cannot anticipate the circumstances and the speed with which we could do that if things escalate in a major way over the coming hours and days.”
On Monday, Mr. Lammy presided over the Cobra emergency committee’s ministerial assembly to examine the unfolding crisis.
The British government estimates 5,000 UK citizens are currently in Lebanon and assures it is planning for “all contingency options”.
UK military might has been dispatched to Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean as a precaution for any potential evacuation, though government figures are pressing Britons to vacate immediately.
On Monday, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson emphasised that Sir Keir Starmer has made it “very, very clear” that UK citizens “should leave now, particularly whilst commercial flights are still available”.
Addressing journalists, the spokesperson explained: “We’re doing everything we can to work with commercial airlines to maximise capacity because we want people to leave, and I understand that there have been extra Middle East Airlines flights leaving Lebanon over the weekend, another scheduled for Tuesday, and we have secured seats for British nationals on those flights.”
According to reports, about 15 spots for UK nationals were confirmed on a flight that landed on Sunday, with an additional 40 earmarked for the upcoming flight on Tuesday.
The spokesperson highlighted the ongoing efforts in “securing extra spaces on commercial flights for those who do want to leave and reiterating our calls for those to leave and to register their presence with us and book the first available flights”.
In a related development, families of Israeli hostages, taken on October 7, are pressing the UK Government to “must do more” in efforts to secure their return.
A press conference heard relatives assert that swift action is required to negotiate with Hamas for the safe return of their loved ones.
At a conference, it was revealed that during a Monday meeting with Sir Keir and Mr Lammy, the Prime Minister concurred that the hostages should be immediately released and returned.
Sharone Lifschitz, daughter of abducted Yocheved and Oded Lifschitz, expressed feeling “encouraged” after the meeting but insisted the Government needs to step up its efforts.
“They listened carefully to what we said,” she remarked. “But I think the British Government can and should do more.”
She emphasised, “They must treat (the hostages) as if they are their own.”
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