Turkey Prepares Evacuation Amid Israel-Hezbollah Conflict

Turkey is preparing to evacuate its citizens and foreign nationals from Lebanon amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The Turkish defence ministry confirms the military's readiness to carry out the mission, following recent Israeli airstrikes that have resulted in multiple casualties.

Turkey is gearing up for the possible evacuation of its citizens and foreign nationals from Lebanon as cross-border hostilities between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah continue to escalate, according to a source from the Turkish defence ministry on Thursday.

The source confirmed that the Turkish military possesses the expertise and resources to execute any mission aimed at ensuring the safe evacuation of its citizens or foreign nationals from Lebanon. The ministry has begun preliminary planning and alleges that Turkey has successfully undertaken similar operations in the past.

On Wednesday, Israel expanded its airstrikes in Lebanon, resulting in at least 72 fatalities, per Lebanese health ministry figures compiled by Reuters. Allies, including the United States and France, have called for an urgent 21-day ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon frontier.

(With inputs from agencies.)