UN warns of "doomsday" risk, US ready to evacuate citizens, many Western countries issue urgent warnings

Tensions between Israel and the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon continue to be complicated at the border between the two countries, the United Nations (UN) and many countries have expressed concern about dangerous developments in the region if it escalates into conflict.

Smoke rises from an Israeli strike on a Hezbollah target in Khiam, Lebanon, on June 26. (Source: Getty Images)

UN Under-Secretary-General for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths has expressed concern if the conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas spills over into Lebanon, even warning that this "could lead to doomsday".

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 26, Mr. Martin Griffiths commented that Lebanon has become a new hot spot and the UN is currently discussing with relevant parties about what is happening.

“It’s not planned,” the UN official said. “A war involving Lebanon would drag in Syria… and others. Of course, it would impact the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. It’s very alarming.”

The French Foreign Ministry also said on June 27 that Paris was extremely concerned about the seriousness of the situation in Lebanon and called on all parties to exercise restraint.

According to Reuters , earlier, during a visit to Washington, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that the Israeli military was capable of sending Lebanon "back to the Stone Age" in any war with Hezbollah rebels, but affirmed that his government prioritized a diplomatic solution.

It is reported that the Israeli military has approved plans for an attack on the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon in mid-June.

Faced with these "red alerts", on June 28, the US news agency NBC News reported that the US Ministry of Defense is mobilizing forces near the Israel-Lebanon border to promptly evacuate citizens due to concerns that a close Middle Eastern ally may conduct a ground operation in Lebanon in the coming weeks.

On June 26, Washington redeployed the USS Wasp amphibious assault ship and the 24th Marine Corps to the Mediterranean. In addition, US officials remain in contact with allies to coordinate the evacuation of citizens if necessary.

Many other Western countries also advise people not to travel to Lebanon during this time.

On June 26, the Swiss Embassy in Lebanon and Syria stressed that travel to Lebanon is “not recommended” at this time, noting that: “The security situation in Lebanon could deteriorate significantly at any time.”

The Dutch government issued a similar advisory, asking its citizens to leave Lebanon on commercial flights.

The German Foreign Ministry has also updated its travel guidance, stating: “German citizens are advised to leave Lebanon immediately… The current heightened tensions on the border with Israel could escalate further at any time.”

There is “an increased risk of terrorist attacks” in Lebanon, which could be directed against foreigners from Western countries or major hotels, the ministry said.

In addition, Canada and Bulgaria issued recommendations calling on their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately while they still can because the security situation in the Middle Eastern country is becoming increasingly unstable and unpredictable.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cang-thang-bien-gioi-israel-lebanon-lhq-canh-bao-nguy-co-ve-ngay-tan-the-my-san-sang-so-tan-cong-dan-hang-loat-nuoc-phuong-tay-ra-khuyen-cao-khan-276708.html