Israel-Hezbollah Heats Up, Americans Are Urged To Leave Lebanon

JAKARTA - The United States Embassy in Beirut appealed to US citizens in Lebanon to prepare for plans to face the crisis and leave the country amid concerns over Israeli attacks.

"We urge US citizens to prepare a plan for action to face the crisis and leave before the crisis occurs," said Assistant Secretary of the US Foreign Affairs for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter via video message reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, July 29.

Bitter warned that if commercial flights were not available, Americans who had already been in Lebanon should be prepared to seek shelter in the country for a long time.

Tensions between the Hezbollah group and Israel escalated following a missile strike in the city of Majdal Shams, which is inhabited by the Druze tribe - in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, on Saturday (27/7).

While Israel blamed Hezbollah for the attack that killed 12 victims and injured 40 people, the group based in Lebanon denied responsibility.

According to Israeli Army Radio, the Israeli military has formulated a scenario for a possible attack on Hezbollah and is discussing the plan politically to assess the situation.

On Saturday, July 27, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Hezbollah would "pay a heavy price" for the attack.

Concerns about the massive war between Israel and Hezbollah are taking place, amid cross-border attacks launched by both sides.

The escalation took place as a result of a series of deadly attacks by Israel in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 39,300 victims since October 2023.