Hezbollah fires rockets at Israel as Middle East tensions escalate

Beirut: Hezbollah launched dozens of rockets at Israel on Saturday as tensions in the Middle East escalated following the killing of Hamas’s political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week.

Amid fears of a regional war, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed hope that Iran would “stand down” despite its threats to attack Israel.

Hezbollah claimed its rocket attacks on Moshav Beit Hillel in Israel injured civilians. The group said the attacks were in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Kfar Kela and Deir Siriane in Lebanon and an Israeli strike in Beirut that killed Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah military commander.

International media reported no casualties from Hezbollah's attacks. However, three U.S. and Israeli officials stated that they expected Iran to attack Israel as early as Monday, according to an Axios report.

In response to the escalating situation, the U.S. embassy in Lebanon urged its citizens to leave the country on “any ticket available,” amid fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah and a broader regional conflict.

Despite flight suspensions and cancellations, the embassy's statement highlighted that “commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available.”

“We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket available to them, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first-choice route,” the embassy advised.

Similarly, the UK government urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately. In a statement, the foreign ministry emphasized that British nationals should depart the Middle Eastern country “now while commercial options remain available.”

“Tensions are high, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly,” warned Foreign Minister David Lammy. “While we are working around the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear — leave now.”

The Foreign Office announced it was “strengthening” its support for Britons in Lebanon by deploying “border force, consular officials, and military personnel to the region.”

As the situation in the Middle East remains volatile, the international community is closely monitoring developments and preparing for potential further escalations.