Brits in Lebanon advised to ‘depart NOW’ amid Middle East disaster

British nationals in Lebanon have been told to ‘leave now’ amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, as ministers warn the ‘situation could deteriorate rapidly’.

Armed forces personnel are heading to the region to support embassies helping UK citizens, while Border Force has sent officers to aid consular operations, the Foreign Office said.

Meanwhile, consular experts have been drafted in to assist with planning and responding to queries from concerned Brits.

The Royal Air Force is also putting transport helicopters on stand-by, while landing ship RFA Cardigan Bay and HMS Duncan are in the Mediterranean to help allies with humanitarian efforts.

Mr Lammy said: ‘Tensions are high and the situation could deteriorate rapidly. 

British nationals in Lebanon have been told to ‘leave now’ amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Pictured: Protestors burn an Israeli flag in Iran, which backs Hezbollah, following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh earlier this week

Escalating crisis: Supporters of Hamas and Hezbollah protest the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah top commander Fuad Shukr, in Sidon, Lebanon, on Friday

A portrait of slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is displayed during a a demonstration denouncing his killing, in the Lebanese coastal city of Sidon on Friday

‘While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear – leave now.

‘A widening of this conflict is in nobody’s interest – the consequences could be catastrophic. 

‘That’s (why) we continue to call for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution.’

The Government is preparing for ‘a range of possible conflict scenarios’, the Foreign Office said.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: ‘Our armed forces will always step up to support British citizens around the world and reinforce regional stability with their professionalism and bravery.

‘As I told leaders in the Middle East this week, de-escalation must be the primary focus in the region and we are urging all to dial down tensions. 

‘There must be an end to the fighting, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and a diplomatic path to peace and security.’

The appeal follows visits by Mr Healey and Mr Lammy to Qatar and Lebanon earlier this week, with the two men urging a ceasefire, the release of hostages and an increase in aid to Palestine.

Both met Lebanese PM Najib Mikati on Thursday night in an attempt to calm heads amid escalating tensions over the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

He was killed in an air strike on the Iranian capital that has been attributed to Israel.

The Foreign Secretary’s appeal follows visits by Defence Secretary John Healey and Mr Lammy to Qatar and Lebanon, where they met Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday night

Thousands engulf a truck carrying the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard  in Tehran on Thursday

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leads a prayer on Thursday over the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard

Iran‘s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prayed over Mr Haniyeh’s coffin during his funeral at Tehran University on Thursday while Iran’s new president Masoud Pezeshkian stood next to him.

State television later showed the coffins placed in a truck and moved on the street toward Azadi Square in Tehran, and people throwing flowers at them.

Israel had pledged to kill Mr Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the group’s October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. 

Iran supports Hamas, as well as Hezbollah and other Palestinian militant groups fighting Israel in Gaza.

Following his meeting with Lebanese officials, Mr Lammy posted to X: ‘We must prevent further escalation in the Middle East and avoid miscalculation.’

He added: ‘It is in no-one’s interest for others to be drawn into this conflict.’

Mr Lammy and Mr Healey also visited Qatar on Wednesday to call for de-escalation of the fighting and to press for an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said ‘all parties’ in the Middle East must avoid escalatory actions that could plunge the region into further conflict.

Tensions have increased on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon after 12 children and teenagers from the Druze community were killed by a Hezbollah rocket attack in the Golan Heights.

Israel subsequently carried out an air strike on a suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut, which Tel Aviv said was targeting the Hezbollah commander responsible.