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| Many commercial airlines have stopped running flights to and from Lebanon |
The US embassy in Beirut has told its citizens to leave Lebanon "at all costs" despite rising tensions in the Middle East. The Council follows a similar warning from British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who said the situation in the region could "escalate rapidly". Iran promised "extreme" retaliation against Israel, which it blamed for the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday. His death came hours after Israel killed Hezbollah commander Fu'ad Shukr in Beirut. It is feared that Lebanon-based Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group, will play a major role in any retaliation, which will make Israel's response overwhelming. The US Embassy said on Saturday that those who choose to stay in Lebanon should "make an emergency plan" and be prepared to "stay for a long time". He said that many airlines have stopped and canceled their flights and sold many, but "business travel options in Lebanon are still available". Attacks by Iran and its allies could make The UK said it was sending extra troops, consular officers and security guards to help with the evacuation, but urged UK citizens to stay away. in the city "when commercial flights are operating". Two British ships are already in the area and the Royal Air Force has provided helicopters. Mr Lammy said that "it is not in anyone's interest to see this conflict spread across the region". In April, Iran used 170 drones, 30 missiles and at least 110 ballistic missiles to attack Israel. This is in retaliation for the Israeli bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria. Many fear that Iran's retaliation for this incident will take such a form. In a telephone conversation with EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri Kani said that Iran "will have its real and legal rights" to "punish" Israel. On Friday, an announcer on Iran's state TV warned that "the world will see an extraordinary drama". In , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israel that "difficult days are ahead... We have heard threats from all sides, we are ready for any situation." This week, Israeli messengers were sent to the country using satellite phones in case the country's communications infrastructure was attacked. In , the conflict between Israel and Iran first started when 12 children and teenagers were killed in an attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel accuses Hezbollah and promises "extreme" retaliation although Hezbollah denies any involvement. days later, Hezbollah's top commander, Fuad Shukr, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Four other people including two children were killed. hours later, in Iran, the main supporter of Hamas, the head of Hamas, Ismail Hani, was killed. He went to attend the inauguration of Iran's new president, Massoud Pezeskian.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led the prayer at Haniyeh's funeral in Tehran on Thursday. He has promised that Israel will be severely punished for the murder. Meanwhile, in Gaza, 10 people were killed in a school where IDPs were forced to leave their homes in an attack by Israel, Hamas said on Saturday. The Israeli army says that schools in Gaza are being used as prisons for soldiers. Hamas has denied that it operates in civilian areas.
