- UK urges Britons in Lebanon to leave
- Troops deployed to Cyprus for evacuation
- Israel escalates offensive against Hezbollah
Two British warships are stationed in the region, ready for deployment if an evacuation is necessary. Royal Air Force planes and helicopters are also on standby.
The UK prime minister has urged Britons in Lebanon to “leave immediately” as around 700 UK troops are being sent to Cyprus in case an emergency evacuation becomes necessary.
Sir Keir Starmer stated, “We are ramping up contingency plans due to the escalation,” as concerns grow over a potential full-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
“It’s crucial to be absolutely clear: now is the time to leave,” the PM emphasized.
Defence Secretary John Healey, after chairing a meeting of the UK’s emergency COBRA committee, also urged Britons to leave Lebanon “now.”
Two British warships, already in the area, could be used if an evacuation is initiated. Royal Air Force planes and helicopters remain on alert.
The UK’s military base in Cyprus, RAF Akrotiri, is expected to play a pivotal role in any evacuation effort.
The military personnel deployment—adding to the troops already in Cyprus on standby—was set to take place overnight and into Wednesday. They will be supported by Border Force and Foreign Office officials.
This move highlights the UK’s increased readiness to conduct a large-scale evacuation, a challenging operation that has been anticipated due to the region’s volatility.
A government statement called it “the first phase of its contingency plans following the recent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.”
Thousands of British nationals are currently in Lebanon.
Sir Keir expressed concern over the situation, saying, “I’m worried about Lebanon. We must de-escalate, achieve a ceasefire, and pull back from the brink.”
In a sign of heightened alarm, Mr. Healey left the Labour Party conference early to chair the COBRA meeting, which included ministers, intelligence chiefs, and diplomats.
“Recent events underscore the volatility of this situation, and that’s why our message to British nationals is clear: leave now,” the defence secretary said afterward.
“We urge all sides to avoid further conflict and prevent more tragic loss of life. Our government is ensuring all preparations are in place to assist British nationals if the situation worsens. I commend the British personnel deployed for their dedication and professionalism.”
HMS Duncan, a Type 45 destroyer, and RFA Mounts Bay, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel, are already positioned in the eastern Mediterranean, ready to respond.
This isn’t the first time this year that the military has been placed on alert for a potential evacuation from Lebanon.
Last month, more than 1,000 military personnel were on standby in both Cyprus and the UK as tensions flared. Although that level of preparedness was reduced, it’s now being escalated again as the crisis deepens.
In the past week, Israel launched its most significant offensive against Hezbollah, backed by Iran, since their 2006 war. The UK government considers Hezbollah’s military wing a terrorist organization.
The operation began covertly with the detonation of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, though Israel has not officially claimed responsibility.
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The conflict quickly escalated, with Israeli jets conducting heavy airstrikes on Hezbollah targets. The Israel Defence Forces reported they struck Hezbollah’s weapons depots and killed senior commanders. Tragically, hundreds of civilians, including women and children, have been killed, with thousands more injured.
Tens of thousands have been displaced from southern Lebanon.
Israel’s government says its goal is to stop Hezbollah from firing into northern Israel, something the militant group has done since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel that triggered the Gaza conflict.
Hezbollah’s actions have forced tens of thousands of Israeli civilians to flee northern Israel. Israel’s government says it wants these citizens to return home—a goal Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has vowed to block.
Israel’s offensive, which has dealt a heavy blow to Hezbollah, raises concerns that Hezbollah could use its long-range missiles to target deeper areas within Israel. Such a move would almost certainly prompt an Israeli ground invasion.
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