Amid the escalating Israeli military operations in Lebanon, the US government has been actively facilitating the departure of American citizens, legal permanent residents, and their family members from the region. According to a US State Department spokesperson, more than 1,000 individuals have already left Lebanon on US-government organized flights.
These evacuation efforts have seen the organization of 10 flights, each with a capacity for 300 passengers. Notably, none of these flights have operated at full capacity thus far, indicating that there is still room for more individuals to depart.
In addition to the government-organized flights, the US has also collaborated with Middle East Airlines to reserve over 900 seats on their flights specifically for Americans seeking to leave the country. This partnership aims to provide additional options for those looking to evacuate.
The spokesperson emphasized that the US government remains committed to organizing flights as long as there is demand from American citizens and a shortage of available seats on commercial flights. Currently, there are approximately 8,800 individuals in contact with the US State Department seeking information on departing Lebanon, although not all of them have formally requested assistance.
Looking ahead, the spokesperson mentioned that a transition back to relying solely on commercial flights could be considered if demand decreases and commercial airlines can accommodate the remaining individuals. However, at present, the government believes there is still a need for organized evacuation efforts to ensure the safe departure of those wishing to leave Lebanon.
