Joe McConnell
The United States has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon “on any available ticket,” as fears grow that the war in the Middle East could spread.
The United Kingdom, Sweden, France, Canada and Jordan have also issued similar warnings.
Iran has promised a “severe” retaliation against Israel, which blame death of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday. His assassination came hours after Israel killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.
There are fears that Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group based in Lebanon, could play a major role in such a retaliation, which in turn could trigger a serious Israeli response.
Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at the northern Israeli town of Beit Hillel around 00:25 local time on Sunday (21:25 GMT on Saturday).
Footage posted on social media showed Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system intercepting the rockets. There were no reports of casualties.
The Israeli Air Force responded by striking targets in southern Lebanon.
Two people were killed in a stabbing in the Israeli city of Holon on Sunday morning. The attacker was later “neutralized,” police said.
THE US Embassy said Saturday that those who choose to remain in Lebanon should “prepare contingency plans” and be prepared to “shelter in place for an extended period of time.”
He said several airlines had suspended and cancelled flights and many were sold out, but “commercial transport options to leave Lebanon remain available.”
The Pentagon said it was deploying additional warships and fighter aircraft in the region to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its allies.
The UK said it would send additional military personnel, consular staff and border force officials to help with any evacuations, but urged British citizens to leave Lebanon “while commercial flights are operating”.
Two British naval vessels are already in the region and the Royal Air Force has provided transport helicopters.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the regional situation “could deteriorate rapidly”.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, at least 17 people at a school housing displaced people were killed in an Israeli attack, Hamas-led authorities said on Saturday.
The Israeli military says the Hamama school in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City was being used as a command center for militants. Hamas has denied operating from civilian facilities.
This weekend, Israeli ministers were sent home with satellite phones, in case there was an attack on the country’s communications infrastructure.
In April, Iran Launches Airstrike Against Israel using 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and at least 110 ballistic missiles.
This was a retaliation for the Israeli Iranian consulate attack in Damascus, Syria.
Many fear that Iran’s retaliation on this occasion could take a similar form.
In a phone call on Friday with the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, Iran’s acting foreign minister, Ali Baqeri Kani, said that Iran “will undoubtedly use its inherent and legitimate right” to “punish” Israel.
An Iranian state television announcer warned on Friday that “the world would witness extraordinary scenes.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israelis that “difficult days lie ahead… We have heard threats from all sides. We are prepared for any scenario.”
Tensions between Israel and Iran initially escalated with the killing of 12 children and teenagers during an attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Israel blamed Hezbollah and promised a “harsh” retaliation, although Hezbollah denied involvement.
Days later, senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Four other people, including two children, were killed.
Hours later, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh he was assassinated in IranHamas’s main supporter. He was visiting to attend the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that Israel will suffer a “severe punishment” for the murder.
