The US Embassy in Beirut has issued a strong advisory urging all American citizens to leave Lebanon immediately as the war between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies.
In a notice published Monday, the embassy warned that “US citizens in Lebanon are strongly encouraged to depart now,” adding that those who choose to stay should prepare contingency plans should the situation deteriorate further.
According to the State Department, only 1,100 of the estimated 86,000 Americans in Lebanon have left the country. Since September 27, the US government has reserved thousands of flight seats.
However, the embassy cautioned that these evacuation flights “will not continue indefinitely” and urged citizens to act quickly.
The embassy stated, “US citizens who choose not to depart now should not rely on the US government for assisted departure or evacuations. ” This signals that options for leaving the country may soon be limited.
This advisory follows similar actions taken by other nations to evacuate their citizens from Lebanon, as Israeli airstrikes target Hezbollah positions and intensify the fighting along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
Some American citizens in Lebanon have criticised the US government’s response to the situation, as they have struggled to secure flights.
Samer Bawab, a Lebanese-American from Cleveland, shared his frustration with the delay in getting out of the country, saying it took nearly two weeks for the State Department to schedule his flight. “There weren’t enough flights to get out,” Bawab said, noting that Middle East Airlines, the only airline still operating, is fully booked until November.
He added that Israeli airstrikes near his Beirut home made the danger clear, further urging immediate evacuation.
Another American citizen, Hana Bechara, expressed dissatisfaction with the embassy’s initial guidance, describing it as vague and unhelpful in arranging her exit.
Bechara also pointed out that the US government was not providing financial assistance for the costly flights despite the escalating violence in Beirut.
Similarly, Amy Fallas, another American living in Beirut, compared the current response to a more effective US evacuation during the 2011 protests in Cairo, expressing disappointment in the current lack of support.
“I have no faith in that anymore,” Fallas said, reflecting the sentiment of abandonment among some Americans in Lebanon.
With Israeli forces continuing heavy airstrikes in Beirut and clashes with Hezbollah along the border, the embassy’s notice emphasises the growing danger in the region and the need for US citizens to leave while they still can.
