Australia urges citizens to exit Lebanon amid Israel-Hezbollah tensions

'My message to Australian citizens in Lebanon is: now is the time to leave,' says Foreign Minister Penny Wong

WASHINGTON:

Australia urged its citizens Wednesday to leave Lebanon because of rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.

"My message to Australian citizens and residents in Lebanon is: now is the time to leave. If you are in Australia and thinking of travelling to Lebanon, do not," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a video message on X.

Noting that some commercial flights are still operating, she said: "If you can leave, you should.”

Beirut Airport could close completely if the situation worsens, Wong warned.

Tensions have escalated between Hezbollah and Israel following a missile attack Saturday on the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

While Israel blamed Hezbollah for the attack, the Lebanese group has denied responsibility.

On Tuesday, the Israeli military struck southern Beirut in a targeted attack against a senior Hezbollah commander.

Hezbollah later confirmed that Fuad Shukr was killed in what Israel called a “precision strike” in retaliation for the attack on Majdal Shams.