AMERICANS URGED TO LEAVE LEBANON AS WAR FEARS ESCALATE; REP. ISSA OFFERS HELP
By Miriam Raftery
August 6, 2024 (San Diego) – The U.S. State Department has issued a level 4 advisory urging Americans not to travel to Lebanon, and for Americans in Southern Lebanon, near the Syrian borders, or in refugee settlements to immediately depart. Those who do not leave should be prepared to shelter in place for a prolonged period, due to escalating military actions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Following Hezbollah strikes in Israel, Israel launched an airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate. Hours later, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a bomb in Tehran, Iran. Iran has blamed Israel and has threatened to attack Israel in response, though Israel has not confirmed nor denied responsibility for the Iranian death.
Any attacks on Israel are expected may trigger a wider military response by Israel. Today, Israeli fighter jets reportedly flew low over Beirut, producing sonic booms that scattered frightened residents, according to Reuters.
For travelers and foreign nationals in Beirut, fleeing is becoming more difficult. Insurance companies have raised premiums due to unrest in the region, prompting Air France, Lufthansa and other European airlines to halt flights into Beirut, NPR reported yesterday. Middle East Airlines is still flying, but there are not enough planes to accommodate all who seek to leave.
There are fears that the Beirut airport could be targeted, since Israel bombed the airport during a 2006 air and sea blockade. A British newspaper reported that Hezbollah has recently stockpiled missiles at the airport, though the Lebanese government denies this and Western diplomats who toured the site reportedly no evidence of missiles stored there.
Congressman Darrell Issa (R-48), who is of Lebanese descent, is providing the following guidance for Americans and Americans with family members in Lebanon:
Consular Assistance
Congressman Issa and his team are ready to assist, in particular with visas and passports. While Congressional offices do not issue these documents, staff can help individuals needing additional assistance to navigate the process. See Congressman Issa’s assistance page: https://issa.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency
If you are not a constituent of Congressman Issa, find your representative here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Latest Travel Guidance
If you wish to make the U.S. Embassy in Beirut aware of your presence in Lebanon, please enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrolment Program (STEP). Individuals in America who wish to receive updated travel messaging for a particular country can enroll in the STEP Program as well
Enroll here free: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program https://step.state.gov/
Commercial Travel v. Evacuation
At present, the State Department has not initiated an evacuation plan and has provided the following information:
- Individuals who wish to depart should avail themselves of ticket options that do not necessarily take them to their preferred destination as the first stop.
- Individuals, and Americans in particular, should avoid other Level 4 countries, particularly Syria and Iran: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
- Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport flight board (Airport code: BEY) – https://www.beirutairport.gov.lb/_flight.php?type=dprtr
Security Alerts
- August 3, 2024, Security Alert: https://lb.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-beirut-lebanon-august-3-2024/
- July 31, 2024, Travel Alert: https://lb.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-beirut-lebanon-july-31-2024/
Rescue groups have arrived in Lebanon to assist stranded Americans and foreign nationals in Lebanon. NPR reports that includes the Grey Bull Rescue Foundation led by Bryan Stern, a U.S. Army veteran and Navy reserve officer. Stern previously led Project Dynamo, an organization that reportedly chartered aircraft and evacuated 7,000 U.S. citizens worldwide from conflict zones including Afghanistan, Sudan, Haiti and Israel.
“Our space is where the U.S. government isn’t,” Stern told NPR.