Israeli Airstrikes Near Beirut Airport Spark Urgent Evacuations of Foreign Nationals, Including Britons

Israeli airstrikes are edging dangerously close to Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport, prompting foreign governments, including the UK, to accelerate evacuation efforts.

The UK government has already chartered a plane that landed in Birmingham on Wednesday evening, with another flight expected to depart soon.

While the airport remains operational, the UK Foreign Office issued a warning today, stating that access to the airport could be severely disrupted by Israeli airstrikes in the area. “There is a risk that access to the airport may be disrupted by traffic congestion, temporary roadblocks, or closure caused by Israeli airstrikes nearby,” the statement said. This would cut off the primary evacuation route for British nationals still in Lebanon.

Currently, only one commercial airline, Middle East Airlines, is flying out of the capital, but all available flights are sold out, with the next available one scheduled for October 11.

In response, the UK government is preparing contingency plans for potential sea and air evacuations via Cyprus for the 5,000 British nationals should the security situation deteriorate further.

Recent Israeli strikes have hit the Hay el-Sellom neighborhood in Laylaki, just two miles from the airport, increasing concerns over access to Beirut’s primary travel hub. Israel’s continued bombardment of densely populated areas in Beirut is part of its ongoing efforts to target Hezbollah commanders.

On Wednesday, an Israeli airstrike hit a medical center less than a mile from the British Embassy, marking the closest strike yet to downtown Beirut.

Residents reported a sulfur-like smell following the attack, and Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency accused Israel of using banned phosphorus bombs. Seven people, identified as Hezbollah-affiliated civilian first responders, were killed in the attack.

Israel denied using white phosphorus in the strikes, stating that “the primary smoke shells used by the IDF do not contain white phosphorus.” The Israeli military acknowledged possessing smoke shells containing white phosphorus but maintained that their use is lawful under international law.

However, human rights groups have accused Israel of using white phosphorus incendiary shells on towns and villages in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah maintains a stronghold.

As the situation in Beirut grows increasingly volatile, governments are rushing to ensure the safe evacuation of their citizens before access to the airport is potentially cut off entirely.