The United States has successfully evacuated over 1,000 Americans and their dependents from war-torn Lebanon in chartered flights to Türkiye for temporary shelter, in light of escalating conflict with Hezbollah. Consul General Julie Eadeh emphasized the importance of swift evacuation to ensure the safety of citizens amidst the dynamic security situation.
With the Beirut airport remaining operational, U.S. chartered flights to Istanbul have transported 1,025 citizens and family members as of October 2. The urgency of the situation has prompted authorities to plan for possible sea evacuations in case of airport compromise.
Türkiye, in collaboration with the U.S. and other nations, has prepared for sea evacuations, having recently evacuated nearly 1,000 Turkish citizens via naval ships. Similar efforts are being made by other countries to evacuate their nationals through coordinated sea and air operations.
Belgium also conducted a successful evacuation with 111 individuals, showcasing the international cooperation in evacuating citizens from Lebanon. Despite securing over 4,500 commercial flight seats for citizens, many remain unfilled, providing individuals with the option to evacuate when deemed necessary.
Efforts continue to ensure the safety of citizens in Lebanon, with ongoing evacuations and contingency plans in place for potential escalations in the conflict.