Middle-East war – In anticipation of war, these countries have called on their citizens to leave Lebanon
Issam Sharaf al-Din has called on citizens of Saudi Arabia living in Lebanon to prepare and leave the country.
The Displaced Persons Minister in Lebanon made the call when speaking to Arab News Agency.
The call by the minister in Lebanon follows the same call made by other countries who fear Israel may launch a full-scale war against Lebanon.
Saudi Arabia is the latest country to make the call after Germany. Netherlands, Kuwait, and Austria urged their citizens to leave Lebanon.
The call has become imperative after Hezbollah and Israel could not reach a diplomatic solution to the skirmishes going on in the northern border of Israel.
Although, there is still hope that diplomacy can play a major role in dousing the tension. Israeli Government had said they are open to diplomatic solution, but escalating exchanges of fire with Hezbollah continue to put diplomacy in jeopardy.
The moves so far by the countries have been dubbed ‘proactive’ measures. The countries have not confirmed intelligence or authentic information of inevitable invasion by Israel.
“The war is breaking out, but the tension is limited to southern Lebanon. These steps are being taken out of fear of retaliation rather than fear of bombings or a full-scale war, ” Issam said when asked if the directive to Saudi citizens was because of war.
He also didn’t confirm if Saudi Arabia has solid intelligence that Israel will declare full-scale war.
Hezbollah is adamant that the skirmishes will not end until IDF ends the war in Gaza. The terror group also said they would match Israel shoulder to shoulder and should war break out.
The allies of Jerusalem have openly said they are against escalations. US openly warned that Iran would join the war in Lebanon should Israel declare one.
France is for diplomacy and has made moves to reach an agreement with Hezbollah. In the meantime, Hezbollah has rejected all advances by allies of Israel.
Al-Din reiterated statements from Hezbollah and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He said Israel is responsible for whatever happens because the choice is in its hands.
“[Hezbollah] set a condition for stopping the war in southern Lebanon, which is that the attacks on Gaza must end,” al-Din said. Indicating that it’s Israel’s game.
The minister indicated that Lebanon is handicapped and cannot decide what happens. So, the call urging Saudi Arabian citizens to leave is because nobody knows what Israel is planning
“The issue does not depend on us, as the Lebanese government, but on the parties to the conflict, which is mainly Israel that continues the war”
The condition Hezbollah put on ending the skirmishes against Israel has been absolutely rejected by Israel.
The war in Gaza will continue to go on for a long time, and Israel cannot fold its hands and watch Hezbollah attack it. So, war to stop the attack is becoming possible by each dawn.
Nobody wants to be caught in a crossfire. What is happening in Gaza is a lesson for foreigners, and the call for citizens to leave is only but a proactive move to ensure the safety of foreign citizens.
