LONDON, England: Britain has announced additional chartered flights to evacuate citizens and their dependents from Lebanon as Israeli strikes on Beirut continue. On Wednesday, over 150 British nationals were evacuated to Birmingham, with more flights planned from Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport, as long as the security situation allows.
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is prepared to assist “hundreds” more in the coming days. Defense Secretary John Healey visited Cyprus, where 700 British troops are stationed to aid in the potential evacuations.
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With commercial airlines suspending operations in Beirut, Foreign Secretary David Lammy reiterated his call for British nationals to “leave the country immediately.” Around 5,000 British citizens and dependents are currently in Lebanon.
Israel has intensified airstrikes in southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut in response to nearly a year of hostilities with Hezbollah. The conflict has already claimed over 1,000 lives in Lebanon. The UK also confirmed its involvement in responding to Iran’s missile attacks on Israel earlier this week.
