The UK government has issued an urgent call for British nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately, as the conflict between Israel and Lebanon escalates, with more than 500 people reported killed in the last 24 hours.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Ministry of Defence (MoD) are bolstering contingency operations to support British nationals in the region.
Around 700 UK troops are being deployed to Cyprus, ready to support evacuation or emergency response efforts. This military deployment is supported by Border Force and FCDO officials, ensuring all necessary preparations are in place for a swift response if the situation worsens.
The Royal Air Force has transport helicopters and aircraft on standby, while RFA Mounts Bay and Royal Navy destroyer HMS Duncan remain stationed in the eastern Mediterranean to assist with potential evacuations and support operations.
Defence Secretary John Healey stressed the urgency of the situation, stating: “Events in the past hours and days have demonstrated how volatile this situation is, which is why our message is clear: British nationals should leave now.”
He also praised the UK military personnel deploying to the region for their professionalism and commitment. Healey reiterated the government’s call for all sides to step back from the violence and work towards an immediate ceasefire.
The UK’s contingency plan builds on an already significant diplomatic and military presence in the region. RAF Akrotiri, a key UK base in Cyprus, will play a central role in supporting British citizens if the situation deteriorates further.
The UK has been closely monitoring the unfolding conflict, which has raised concerns of wider instability in the Middle East. Ministers have held several meetings with intelligence chiefs, diplomats, and military leaders to assess the situation and prepare for further escalation.
The UK government’s warning comes after reports of increasing violence in Lebanon, following retaliatory strikes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants. The conflict has triggered a mass exodus of civilians, with foreign nationals among those seeking safety. The FCDO has advised against all travel to Lebanon since the start of the escalation, emphasising the dangers posed by the conflict.
While diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire continue, the UK’s immediate priority is the safety of its citizens. The British government has confirmed that it will maintain a strong military presence in the region to support British nationals and allies. Ministers are working closely with international partners to monitor the situation and provide necessary assistance.
This potential evacuation operation is similar to Operation Highbrow in 2006 when the British Ministry of Defence undertook a large-scale evacuation of civilians from Beirut during the Lebanon War. In fact, the image at the topic of this article was taken during this operation.
Helicopters initially transported the most vulnerable to Cyprus, followed by Royal Navy ships ferrying evacuees across the Mediterranean Sea. This operation, involving both Royal Navy ships and Royal Air Force helicopters, was the largest evacuation the UK had been involved in since Dunkirk and before the Aghan withdrawal.
Good thing to do but where will up to 10,000 people go? send Israel the bill.
Send Hezzbollah the bill, it was their decision to fire the first shot, they could have stayed out of this conflict but chose to fight in support of Hamas.
…and the Palestinians in the west bank being attacked by the Israeli “settlers”…you forgot that
Send them both the bill, the Middle East is curse on us all, never be peace there. Ordinary people who are not nutters always suffer. And we have for 70 plus years foot the bill one way or another.
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Sir Keir has said that 10,000 Brits should leave on commercial aircraft right now. There are two commercial airports in the entire country. How many empty seats does he think there’ll be? The impracticability astounds me. If the time to leave is now (as Sir Keir insists “…really, really clear: now is the time to leave”), the Navy should start the evacuation. However according to the Telegraph, John Healey says, “Our government is ensuring all preparations are in place to support British Nationals should the situation deteriorate.” Not only are these badly mixed messages, it lays the goverment open to… Read more »
Brits were told to start leaving weeks ago but it seems they ignored the FCM advice
No you misunderstand our government and PM. His government have repeatedly instructed British citizens to leave for the last 4-5 weeks. They have had plenty of time to buy a ticket, board a plane and fly somewhere outside the conflict zone. The British tax payer should not be picking up the bill or risking our armed forces lives saving people who are frankly too dumb to follow instructions and think they know better. Consulate, embassy staff and humanitarian aid workers are different they frequently remain until the last minute and then help evacuating, don’t have any issues with that. The… Read more »
Thousand of people who live in the Lebanon have ignored advice to leave their homes and businesses to become refugees. It’s no surprise that they haven’t followed instructions; that’s one heck of an ask by a new and largely untested government. I can’t imagine how I’d react if the Foreign Office told me in a advisory way to give up my life and buy a plane ticket to they-don’t-care-where with no help guaranteed when I got there. I also might choose to leave it until the last minute. Some will have family they can impose on in the UK, other… Read more »
Those that we evacuate we have to house etc, that is how it works. If they leave of their own free will then not so. Yes they have been told to leave weeks ago but not sure its that easy just up and go when your life etc is there.
We are a bit full at the moment Afghan/Ukraine/ Boat people, etc. Not sure what people expect the Government to do?
So black is white, as usual?
no its a mess we as a nation have foot the bill for again. The middle east is a curse
“ In fact, the image at the topic of this article was taken during this operation.”
should read
In fact, the image at the top of this article was taken during this operation.
Has an oddly familiar feel to it…
I hope everyone realises how dangerous this is. There are plenty of crazies out there who would love nothing better than to hit an RN [ok RFA bout that doesn’t matter to them] ship.
I do have to question why the Bay in theatre doesn’t have CIWS fitted. She will need at least a T45 around to protect her.
She will indeed. Just like HMS Duncan mentioned in the article.
How much of this is helping with evacuating British nationals from Lebanon and how much is re-inforcing the British Sovereign Bases at RAF Akrotiri/Episcopi and Dhekelia against Russian/Iran/Houthi threats?
This isn’t a conflict between Israel and Lebanon. It is a retaliation against Hezbollah, a terrorist quasi state within a state, for the constant attacks on northern Israel. Israel would be doing a favour to Lebanon if it could destroy Hezbollah..
Agree and I think Israel is doing a decent job decapitating the head of Hezbollah and going after their munitions stockpiles, which of course are stored in homes, schools and warehouses inside civilian areas. Hezbollah and Hamas use the civilian populations as human shields. Utter cowards.
I stated this 4 weeks ago when the first governmental advice came out for British citizens to leave Lebanon.
They have been warned repeatedly. Any citizens of the UK still there only have themselves to blame for any subsequent ill fortune that befalls them.
We cannot not, not should we expect our armed forces to risk their lives to save people too damn stupid to listen to what they are instructed to do.
Our consulate and embassy staff are different as are the humanitarian aid workers. Everyone else should have left already.
Great words. There has to be a dam good reason for “British” citizens to still be in Lebanon, and anyone rescued later on, who was not there on “government”, “News- reporting” or “humanitarian” business should pay for their trip back out.
Interesting topic. There are about one million British Passport holders in Southern Africa-what if things were to fall apart here!!
They’d be buggered. 😂🤣😂🤣😂 It would take months to evacuate that many.