Germany, Netherlands urge their citizens to leave Lebanon, citing Israel-Hezbollah war fears

Germany and the Netherlands have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon, following suit after Canada issued a similar warning yesterday in light of escalating tensions between Israel and the Hezbollah terror group.

In an updated travel warning on its website, the German Foreign Ministry warns that “the security situation in the region is highly volatile,” as clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border have intensified in recent weeks.

“A further escalation of the situation and expansion of the conflict cannot be ruled out,” the travel warning continues. “This applies in particular to the southern parts of Lebanon, including the southern urban areas of Beirut as well as the Bekaa Valley, including the Baalbek-Hermel district.

“A further escalation could also lead to a complete suspension of air traffic from Rafik Hariri Airport. Leaving Lebanon by air would then no longer be possible,” it adds.

The updated travel warning is issued amid a visit by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to the region.

Like Germany, the Netherlands reiterates its call for citizens to leave Lebanon, should they have chosen to stay there after previous warnings.

“The Foreign Ministry repeats the urgent call not to travel to Lebanon,” the ministry writes on X, formerly Twitter. “Are you still there? Leave the country while there are [still] commercial flights.”

According to the Dutch Foreign Ministry website, the entirety of Lebanon is currently classified as red, meaning “do not enter.”

For Dutch citizens already in Lebanon, the foreign ministry urges them to “leave the country if it is safe to do so.”