US warns against travel to Lebanon amid escalating conflict with Israel

The embassy in Lebanon has one safety warning for all US citizens who are considering traveling to or leaving that country.

An escalation of the Israel-Lebanon conflict over the weekend prompted airlines to limit or reschedule flights over concerns about upcoming air strikes.

Following the Israeli government’s decision to authorize Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his military high command to retaliate against Lebanon for Hezbollah’s deadly attack on the Golan Heights, national and international airlines such as Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lufthansa and Air France began canceling or rescheduling their inbound and outbound flights.

Although the last security assessment for Lebanon by the US agency was conducted on January 29, 2024, the embassy reminds Americans that they continue to advise citizens to “Reconsider travel.“

In that travel advisory, the US government asks Americans to stay away from southern Lebanon, the border with Syria and all refugee settlements due to “political violence, kidnappings, unexploded landmines and civil unrest.” Other major concerns include terrorism and armed conflict.

Other countries warn against traveling to Lebanon

So far, eleven countries (including the US) have issued similar warnings due to the risks associated with traveling to Lebanon while the conflict is in full swing.

These countries include:

1. Denmark: All Danes must leave Lebanon when “it is still possible,” the government said on X.
2. Australia: Australians should avoid all travel to Lebanon or leave that country “if still possible”, the government says.
3. Ireland: Irish citizens must avoid “all travel” to Lebanon or leave that country as soon as possible.
4. Norway: This government warns its citizens of its limited capacity to provide assistance if they decide to travel to or stay in Lebanon.
5. Sweden: Senior officials have warned Swedish citizens of the need to leave Lebanon immediately.
6. Germany: The government of Olaf Scholz has obliged its citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon or to leave that country as quickly as possible.
7. France: This government has urged all its citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
8. United Kingdom: British citizens should “avoid all travel to Lebanon” and exercise extreme caution when in the country.
9. The Netherlands: According to their government, the Dutch must leave Lebanon immediately. This government is even further warning its citizens that it will not be able to provide consular assistance if they decide to travel to or stay in Lebanon.
10. Belgium: Belgians must leave Lebanon as soon as possible and avoid all travel to Israel, Jerusalem and all Palestinian Territories.

What’s happening in Lebanon?

On Saturday, a rocket, believed to have been launched by the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, struck a football field, killing 12 children and teenagers and injuring another 20. This is the deadliest attack on Israel since Hamas on October 7.

The Israeli government has been given the green light to prepare for retaliation. A major attack on Lebanon in the coming hours or days is imminent.