France and Italy Advise Citizens to Leave Lebanon Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions

France and Italy have urged their citizens in Lebanon to leave due to escalating Middle East tensions. This follows the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and an Israeli strike killing Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. Air France and Transavia have suspended flights between Paris and Beirut until Aug. 6.

France and Italy on Sunday urged their citizens in Lebanon to leave the country due to the risk of military escalation in the Middle East, according to statements from their foreign ministries.

Tensions have soared following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Palestinian group Hamas, in Tehran on Wednesday, alongside an Israeli strike in Beirut that killed Fuad Shukr, a top military commander from Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. In separate travel advisories, the French foreign ministry recommended citizens residing in Iran to temporarily depart, citing the potential closure of its airspace. The ministry had previously urged travelers in Iran to exit on Friday.

The French ministry also advised citizens in Lebanon, particularly travelers, to seize the opportunity to leave while commercial flights are still available. Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also urged Italians temporarily in Lebanon to avoid traveling to the south of the country and to return to Italy promptly via commercial flights, emphasizing the deteriorating situation.

"We also call on Italian tourists not to travel to Lebanon," he added. Air France announced on Saturday that it, along with its affiliate Transavia, would extend suspensions of flights between Paris and Beirut until at least Aug. 6.

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed their concern over the rising tensions in a phone call on Saturday.

(With inputs from agencies.)