August 6th 2024.
Passengers whose flights were cancelled found themselves waiting in the departure terminal of Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut. The scene was chaotic, with long lines and a sense of urgency as the window to leave Lebanon was rapidly closing. People were worried that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East would escalate, making it even more dangerous to stay in the country.
Tensions in the region had been mounting over the past week. Israel's assassination of the head of Hamas in Tehran and their strike on a top commander in Hezbollah's stronghold in Beirut had sparked outrage and threats of retaliation from both Hezbollah and Iran. According to sources, there were concerns that an attack on Israel could happen within the next 48 hours.
In response to the escalating situation, several countries, including Britain, Ireland, Italy, France, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Jordan, had advised their citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial flights were still available. However, as the conflict continued to intensify, many airlines had already suspended or cancelled their flights to and from the country.
The British government also issued a travel warning, urging their citizens to leave as soon as possible. Foreign Secretary David Lammy stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that tensions were high and the situation could deteriorate rapidly. The Foreign Office had been working tirelessly to strengthen their consular presence in Lebanon, but Lammy's message to British nationals was clear - leave now.
As people rushed to the airport, there was a sense of sadness and frustration among those who were visiting Lebanon for the summer. Many had to cut their trip short and leave earlier than planned. One woman, Sherin Malah, who had travelled from Italy to see her mother, expressed her disappointment, "It is just very sad, oh God, the situation is really sad. We get out of a crisis, we go into another one."
Meanwhile, the conflict continued to escalate with rockets being fired from southern Lebanon and intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defence system. In preparation for possible war injuries, emergency medical supplies were delivered to Lebanese hospitals, with the World Health Organisation providing 32 tons of equipment, including at least 1,000 trauma kits.
Health Minister Firass Abiad explained that the goal was to distribute these supplies and medicines to hospitals in the most affected areas, so that they would be ready to deal with any emergency. The conflict had already taken a toll on hospitals in the south, where more than 100,000 people had been displaced and were in need of medical assistance. Unlike in Israel, where the state was providing temporary housing for those affected by the war, families in Lebanon had received little to no support from the government.
The situation in Lebanon was dire, and there were concerns that it could worsen in the coming days. Many feared an escalation in strikes, especially since the country had previously been occupied by Israel. Rumors of an imminent attack from Iran and Hezbollah on Israel only added to the tension. According to a report, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had warned foreign ministers from the G7 countries that these attacks could come as early as Monday.
With the situation unfolding rapidly, it was crucial for people to stay informed. Metro, a popular news source, provided updates on the conflict and urged readers to join their community on WhatsApp for breaking news and juicy stories. The British government also reiterated their advice for their citizens to leave Lebanon and warned against all travel to the country. As the conflict continued to escalate, the safety and well-being of those in Lebanon remained uncertain.
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