British nationals in Lebanon have described their struggle to leave after several airlines cancelled flights, amid growing fears of an imminent Israeli ground invasion.
Tensions in the Middle East have continued to increase as Israel carried out a new wave of “extensive” strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. The chief of the general staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Herzi Halevi, told troops the strikes were “to prepare the ground for your possible entry”, prompting fears the region was on the brink of war.
Keir Starmer reiterated calls for British nationals in Lebanon to leave because of the escalating tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed military group Hezbollah. Starmer said the government was “ramping up” its contingency plans, as 700 British troops were sent to Cyprus to prepare for a possible evacuation.
However, British citizens in Lebanon have expressed their concerns that some have been unable to leave because airlines have cancelled flights and ceased operating, on safety grounds.
While Rafik Hariri international airport is operating, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Air France and Air Arabia, among others, have temporarily cancelled flights. Middle East Airlines’ website said flights to London were sold out for at least the next week.
Two British citizens, Khaled Arab and his wife, were among those trapped in Beirut after travelling to Lebanon to see family earlier this month. Arab said the British embassy had not contacted them and they were unable to leave.
“It’s impossible to get a seat on any flight; there are only Middle East Airline flights,” Arab, 74, who lives in London, said. “It’s a really drastic situation.”
He said he was in a relatively safe area but criticised the embassy’s lack of communication. “Unless they do not deem it that dangerous or critical, they’re not doing anything,” he said. “They just sent a warning a while ago to say ‘leave the country’. I haven’t heard anything else.”
There are thought to be about 10,000 British nationals in Lebanon. In an interview with the Guardian, the Lebanese ambassador to the UK, Rami Mortada, said: “We understand these concerns. The situation is unfolding by the hour and it looks like a very worrying situation for us Lebanese, and clearly for the expat community in Lebanon. We understand these concerns and we would be ready to provide all the assistance needed.”
This week has been the deadliest in Lebanon since the month-long Israel-Hezbollah war of 2006, with more than 560 people killed and 1,800 wounded by Israeli airstrikes. Israel said it was responding to missiles fired by Hezbollah into northern Israel, which has displaced about 60,000 people.
The UN said on Wednesday that 90,000 people in Lebanon had been displaced by the conflict so far. That is in addition to the more than 111,000 people displaced since last October.
Arab’s niece Dalia Salaam Rishani said she was “lucky to escape” Lebanon on Saturday but was immensely concerned for her family stranded there, including her mother and brother.
“I feel scared for my family … People are paralysed, most of them are trying to scramble out,” she said. “There will be a huge impact and anyone who has a British passport will be scrambling to leave the country, which, to be very honest, is going to be extremely difficult.”
Rishani, 57, also criticised the UK government for its response, describing it as “too little, too late”.
“They just said, ‘Please leave.’ How can we leave?” she asked.
Her cousin Hayat Fakhouri, who lives in Beirut but was born in London, said she had decided to stay in Lebanon. She said people were “extremely anxious, very tense, very confused” about the future.
“I personally decided to stay because I have my father here who will not leave, I don’t want to leave … I’ve got my dogs and my horses and my friends. I don’t feel that I want to leave my country, my homeland and leave loved ones behind,” she said.
One British man who returned to the UK two weeks ago from Lebanon, said he was beside himself with worry for his wife, who is still in the country.
“My wife is still teaching at a university in Beirut. Whatever happens, I don’t think she’ll leave the country as it’s our home, her family are there, and it’s where our life is. As soon as I can, I plan on going back to be with her. We’ll just ride it out,” he said.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said the safety of British nationals was its “number one priority” and it was working to de-escalate tensions. “The ongoing mortar and artillery exchanges and airstrikes means the risk of escalation remains high. That’s why we are continuing to advise people to leave now while commercial routes remain available,” they said.
