The UK government has arranged a chartered flight to evacuate British nationals from Lebanon as fighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah. Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that the flight would depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday, amidst increasing Israeli air strikes and the onset of a localized ground operation in southern Lebanon.
Lammy urged British citizens to leave immediately, emphasizing the volatility of the situation and the potential for rapid escalation. The evacuation is open to British nationals, their partners or spouses, and children under 18, with priority given to vulnerable individuals. Non-British dependants must have a visa valid for at least six months to board the flight. Seats on the chartered flight will cost £350, though the UK government is covering the initial charter costs.
As of last week, around 4,000 to 6,000 UK nationals were believed to be in Lebanon, and additional flights may be scheduled based on demand and the security situation. The Foreign Office continues to advise against all travel to Lebanon, and nearly 700 UK troops have been deployed to Cyprus in preparation for a potential wider evacuation effort.
Lammy stressed the UK government’s priority of ensuring the safety of British nationals, adding that the unpredictable nature of the conflict could complicate future evacuation efforts.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated significantly since October 8, following a major attack by Hamas on Israel, which has led to large-scale military operations and displacement across the region. The UK continues to call for de-escalation and has been in contact with international partners, including the US and Iran, to seek a peaceful resolution.