By D. Maan, Jadetimes News
Countries Urge Their Citizens to Leave Lebanon as Region Heads to a Wider Conflagration
Tensions Rise in Region Lead to Evacuation Orders
Several countries, including America, the UK, Sweden, France, Italy, Canada, and Jordan, urged their nationals to evacuate from Lebanon urgently as fears are escalating of a wider conflict in West Asia. This is after the recent cycle of violence over the past period that has escalated regional tensions.
Violence following Past Week And International Reactions
Now the assassinated Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, killed in Tehran, is worsening the situation when Iran is saying it will avenge Israel. In retaliation to this, Israel has attacked senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. The militia and political movement Hezbollah, supported by Iran, had warned might hit back and anger at a major Israeli response.
Many countries have released travel warnings urging their citizens to evacuate Lebanon while other countries are still flying out. Internet services have been severed in Beirut. The shut off of the 4G network was effective; however, broadband remained on.
Escalation and Local Consequences
Tensions have escalated after a few strikes by Hezbollah on the northern part of Israel literally a day after the deadly strikes by Hamas in the southern part of Israel. Though the majority of the violence has remained local in the border areas, grave concerns with regard to the spreading of the war still exist. Shukr has just been killed, igniting yet another promise by Hezbollah to avenge, directly translating into more rocket attacks on Israel. Israel's Iron Dome managed to shoot the rockets, followed by a strike by the Israeli Airforce on southern Lebanon.
Government and Diplomatic Actions
Lebanon has closed its borders and announced a curfew from 6 pm local time. In a related effort, the US and the UK are increasing their military presence in the region while working on coordinating evacuations; the UK even announced that it will be adding to its military contingent, placing transport helicopters from the Royal Air Force on standby.
Iran's acting foreign minister has warned that Iran will retaliate against Israel to take the regional conflict further. The U.S. has dispatched more warships and fighter jets to the region to back up Israel, like it had done in previous confrontations.
Context and Timeline
The struggle can be traced all the way to the feet of recent bloody events, among them being the major strike by Israel on the Golan Heights which killed a high number of civilians, the last remaining one which was lighted by Israel on Shukr in Beirut, which resulted in more casualties. It is also interesting to note that apart from the iranic assassination of Haniyeh, Wednesday began in another framework that complicated once more the truce and the hostage release talks in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke publicly of "challenging days ahead." Iran's Supreme Leader vowed to "avenge the blood" that was spilled. It leaves very little doubt to what the future holds: this means the situation is very tense, and both sides are gearing up for an eventual escalation.
The tensions are really rising in this regard, and international steps to handle the crisis are already being taken. Governments in various parts of the world are advising their citizens to evacuate from Lebanon and get ready for disturbances. The situation is very fluid and has paramount implications for regional stability and international relations.
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