As the Israeli military launched a ground operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon on Monday night, several countries quickly moved to evacuate their citizens from the region, fearing further escalation.
France Prepares for Potential Evacuation
As Israeli forces began a ground operation in Lebanon, several countries took swift action to protect their citizens. On Monday, the French Navy sent a vessel from southeastern France toward Lebanon. This ship, equipped with helicopters and a combat group, is positioning itself off the coast for a possible evacuation. The journey will take around 5 to 6 days.
About 23,000 French nationals, including dual French-Lebanese citizens, currently reside in Lebanon. France has also set up a helpline for concerned citizens, as confirmed by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot during his visit to Beirut.
The UK Secures an Evacuation Flight
The UK government arranged for a commercial flight to evacuate British citizens from Lebanon. The flight will depart from Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday. The UK Foreign Office has given priority to “vulnerable” citizens.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the need for urgency, stating, “British nationals must leave now, as a future evacuation cannot be guaranteed.” Last week, the UK deployed 700 military personnel to Cyprus to prepare for a possible evacuation.
Canada Increases Commercial Flight Capacity
Canada also took action, reserving 800 seats on commercial flights to help its citizens leave Lebanon. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly explained that the security situation is becoming more dangerous. The first evacuation flight will depart on Tuesday. Currently, around 45,000 Canadians are in Lebanon.
Israeli Ground Operation and International Response
The Israeli military launched a ground operation targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. These raids focus on villages near the border that pose a direct threat to Israeli communities. Supported by air and artillery strikes, the operation will continue based on ongoing assessments.
Israel has called the operation “Northern Arrows.” This mission, along with operations in Gaza and other regions, received approval from the Israeli government.
