In light of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the US Embassy in Beirut has urged American citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately.
This warning follows reports from the Lebanese Red Cross indicating that an Israeli airstrike in northern Lebanon has resulted in 18 fatalities.
Georges Kettaneh, the secretary-general of the Lebanese Red Cross, stated that his team is recovering the deceased and injured from the village of Aitou in the Zgharta region, with the current death toll rising to 22, most of whom are civilians.
He emphasized the urgent need for protection under international law for those in southern Lebanon, where conditions are extremely challenging.
In a message released on Monday, the embassy strongly encouraged US citizens to depart Lebanon as soon as possible. Those choosing to remain were advised to develop contingency plans in case the situation worsens.
Since September 27, the US has reserved thousands of seats on flights from Lebanon; however, only 1,100 of the estimated 86,000 Americans residing there have managed to leave, according to the State Department.
The embassy warned that flights will not be available indefinitely and urged citizens to make decisions promptly, noting that those who choose to stay should not expect assistance for departure or evacuation from the US government.
Many other countries had already advised their citizens to evacuate Lebanon following significant Israeli airstrikes in Beirut and intense clashes along the Hezbollah border.
Earlier this month, the US faced criticism for its slow response to help evacuate Americans. Cleveland resident Samer Bawab, a Lebanese American, reported that it took nearly two weeks for the State Department to arrange a flight for him. He expressed frustration over the limited flight options, stating that only Middle East Airlines is operational, and its flights are fully booked until November. Another American, Hana Bechara, encountered confusion with the initial instructions from the State Department and the embassy while trying to book a flight.
Despite the ongoing violence in Beirut, she noted that the Biden administration was not providing any financial support for the costly flights.
