A Middle East Airlines plane. (Credit: AFP)
Latest update: Oct. 20, 2023, 5:46pm
Several countries have issued travel alerts for Lebanon in response to the risk of regional escalation of the Hamas-Israel war.
Many of the travel warnings came after the deadly airstrike targeting the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza on Monday, Oct. 16.
On Tuesday Oct 17, The United States raised the alert level of its travel advisory for Lebanon from 3 to 4, the highest marking, and advised American nationals against traveling to the country. After the outbreak of demonstrations around Lebanon’s US embassy, the US also authorized the departure of non-essential personnel and their families from Beirut. On Thursday Oct. 19, the embassy issued a statement urging its citizens in Lebanon to 'make plans to depart as soon as possible'.
France also advised its citizens against travel to the country. “Given the security tensions in the region and in particular on the southern border of Lebanon, it is not recommended for French people passing through who are planning a stay in Lebanon to go there, unless there is an imperative reason,” announced the French embassy.
The British Embassy in Lebanon encourage British citizens "to leave now, while commercial travel options remain available". They also advise against all travel to the whole of Lebanon.
Canada has asked its nationals to avoid all travel to Lebanon “due to a deteriorating security situation, civil unrest, the increased risk of terrorist attack and the ongoing armed conflict with Israel." It also recommends that they leave " by commercial means if [they] can do so safely."
On Wednesday, Oct.18, Australia upgraded its travel advice for Lebanon to "do not travel" and urged its citizens to leave the country.
On Wednesday, Oct.18, Saudi Arabia called on its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately. It also called "on all citizens to adhere to the travel ban."
On Wednesday, Oct.18, Bahrein called on its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately, and urges them to avoid travel to Lebanon.
The German embassy in Beirut also issued a warning to its nationals, urging them to avoid all travel to Lebanon and encouraging them to prepare for possible shortages of essential supplies. On Thursday, Oct. 19, the German Foreign Ministry called on German citizens to leave Lebanon.
On Thursday, Oct. 19, the Ukrainian Embassy in Lebanon recommended Ukrainian citizens "refrain from any travel to Lebanon until the security situation stabilizes" and tells those who are in the country to leave in a message published on its website
On Friday, Oct. 20, Australia upgraded its travel advice for Lebanon to "do not travel" and is urged its citizens to leave the Middle Eastern country if can safely do so.
On Friday, Oct. 20, the Dutch government joined a growing list of states advising their citizens against traveling to Lebanon.
On Friday, Oct. 20, Oman's embassy in Beirut has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.
On Friday, Oct. 20, Belgium advised its citizens to "leave Lebanon as soon as possible" due to the "unpredictability of the situation."
On Friday, Oct. 20, Russia advises citizens against traveling to Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and the Palestinian territories
Airlines suspend their flights
Some airlines have already suspended flights or even canceled their connections to Beirut. The German airline Lufthansa announced on October 13 via its website that connection through Beirut would be suspended "until October 22 inclusive." On Monday, Oct. 16, Swiss Airlines also announced the suspension of its flights to Beirut until October 28. On Friday, Oct.20, Saudia canceled flights to Lebanon until further notice.
The Lebanese national airline, Middle East Airlines (MEA), announced Monday Oct.16 that it “temporarily parked five of its 24 planes at Istanbul airport as a precaution.” On Friday, Oct 20, MEA's chief says the company will reduce its number of flights by fifty percent after changes to insurance cover.
Since the start of the war, clashes on the Israel-Lebanon border have left at least 18 dead on the Lebanese side. Most of those killed were Hezbollah combatants but also included a Reuters journalist and two civilians. On the Israeli side, at least three people were killed near the border.
Correction: A previous version of this article stated erroneously that the British Embassy in Lebanon had temporarily evacuated its staff. Such an evacuation did not occur.