The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon on Saturday warned American citizens to leave the country in preparation for a possible “emergency situation.”

Security caveat The US government urged US citizens in Lebanon to make plans to leave the country or prepare for “extended evacuation”. Predict This is an Israeli act of retaliation for the deaths of 12 children in a missile attack by Lebanon-based Hezbollah terrorists on July 27.

“Anyone wishing to leave Lebanon is encouraged to book any available flight, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not take their first choice route,” the embassy's alert reads. “U.S. nationals who choose not to leave Lebanon are encouraged to prepare contingency plans for any emergency and prepare for an extended evacuation.”

The alert said several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights to the country, but commercial options remain available.

“We encourage U.S. citizens to develop crisis action plans and evacuate before a crisis begins,” Lena Bitter, assistant secretary for consular affairs at the U.S. State Department, said in a video posted to the U.S. Embassy X account in Beirut on July 29.

To all U.S. citizens in Lebanon, we urge you to register for STEP and other preparedness recommendations to help keep yourself and your family safe. Message from Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Lena Bitar.Travel Gab pic.twitter.com/OZNugd0bCc

— US Embassy Beirut (@usembassybeirut) July 29, 2024

The Israel Defense Forces launched targeted attacks against Hezbollah in Beirut on Tuesday. (Related article: IDF attacks Hezbollah commander behind child murders)

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have risen in recent months since an Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel left at least 1,200 people dead. Hezbollah reportedly supports Hamas, whose base in Lebanon shares a border with Israel.

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