US urges citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial options available

The US State Department on Saturday urged Americans in Lebanon to leave the country while commercial options remain available, as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah flares.

“Due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, the US Embassy urges US citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available,” the State Department said in an updated advisory.

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The Israeli military said dozens of warplanes were striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon late Saturday, as cross-border exchanges intensify amid growing fears of all-out war.

Israel also announced additional security measures for the country’s north.

“In the last hour we are attacking widely in southern Lebanon following the identification of Hezbollah’s preparations to fire into Israeli territory,” military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement shortly after 8:00 pm (1700 GMT).

“Dozens of air force aircraft are currently attacking terror targets and launchers to eliminate threats against the citizens of Israel.”

Earlier in the day the military said it had hit thousands of rocket launcher barrels and other targets belonging to Hezbollah.

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