U.S. Embassy Urges Citizens to Immediately Depart Lebanon Amid Rising Tensions

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut has reiterated its call for American citizens to leave Lebanon immediately, citing an “unstable” security situation as Israeli strikes hit multiple areas in the country.

In a statement released on Monday, the embassy urged U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon and advised those currently in the country to depart while commercial flight options remain available. The embassy characterized the security situation in Lebanon as “unstable and unpredictable.”

The call to leave comes as the Israeli military conducted strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday afternoon. These strikes followed warnings issued to residents in over 16 villages and towns in southern and eastern Lebanon, alleging that these areas were being used by Hezbollah.

Witnesses reported large plumes of smoke rising from the targeted areas. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported at least four Israeli airstrikes.

According to reports, Israeli aircraft carried out six strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs.