ISTANBUL: Turkiye and Italy issued travel advisories on Sunday for their citizens in Lebanon or planning to travel there, amid escalating tensions following the assassinations of a top commander of Hezbollah and the political chief of Hamas.
“Citizens in Lebanon are advised to exercise caution and avoid travelling to the regions of Nabatieh, South Lebanon, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel unless absolutely necessary,” Anadolu Agency (AA) quoted Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry in a statement.
The ministry also advised citizens to leave Lebanon “if their presence is not essential” while commercial flights remain available.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged Italians in Lebanon to avoid the south and return home via commercial flights in a statement on X.
Similarly, Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised against travelling to Lebanon, Iran and Israel, recommending immediate departure from Lebanon and increased vigilance.
All three countries cited safety and security concerns due to the deteriorating situation in the region.
Earlier in the day, the French Embassy in Beirut urged French citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible.
On Saturday, the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) warned their nationals to leave Lebanon immediately, citing concerns over a wider escalation of the conflict with Israel.
Tensions between the Lebanese Hezbollah group and Israel have intensified since Tel Aviv assassinated senior military commander Fuad Shukr in an airstrike on a southern suburb of Beirut on Tuesday.
The following day, the political chief of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital Tehran, allegedly by Israel, although Tel Aviv has not confirmed or denied responsibility. – BERNAMA-ANADOLU
