Western Nations Brace for Evacuations Amid Rising Hezbollah-Israel Conflict

The escalation in border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah has led Western countries to update evacuation plans for their citizens in Lebanon. Cyprus, being the nearest EU member to the Middle East, is a primary hub for such efforts. Various countries, including Australia, Canada, and France, have prepared evacuation strategies involving both sea and air routes.

As border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies, Western nations are urgently updating contingency plans to evacuate their citizens from Lebanon. Cyprus, the closest EU member to the Middle East, served as a significant hub during the 2006 Hezbollah-Israel conflict, processing around 60,000 evacuees. Neighboring Turkey has also offered support for evacuation efforts.

Most evacuation plans currently focus on sea routes, as they can handle larger groups. However, the actual plans will depend on the security situation, a source told Reuters. The journey from Beirut to Cyprus takes about 10 hours by sea and 40 minutes by plane.

Countries like Australia, Canada, and France have begun implementing these plans. Australia has urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave while Beirut airport is still open. Canada is coordinating with Australia, aiming to evacuate 1,000 people daily using commercial vessels. France, urging citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon, has a warship in the region ready to aid in evacuations through Cyprus and possibly Turkey.

(With inputs from agencies.)