Several countries have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon due to growing fears of a wider Middle East conflict.
Iran has vowed severe retaliation against Israel, holding it responsible for the death of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Israel has not commented on the incident. This assassination followed the killing of Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut by Israel.
Western officials are concerned that Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group based in Lebanon, could play a significant role in any retaliation, potentially triggering a strong response from Israel. Diplomatic efforts by the US and other Western nations are ongoing to de-escalate regional tensions.
Flights at Beirut's only commercial airport have been increasingly cancelled or suspended. The US, UK, Australia, France, Canada, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Turkey, and Jordan have advised their nationals to leave Lebanon immediately due to the escalating hostilities, which have heightened since Hezbollah's attacks on Israel following Hamas's deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7.
Most violence has remained confined to border areas, but Hezbollah has promised to retaliate for Shukr’s assassination. This vow follows an Israeli strike on the Golan Heights that killed 12 children and teenagers, which Israel attributed to Hezbollah. On Sunday, Hezbollah launched rockets at Beit Hillel in northern Israel, intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome. Israel responded with airstrikes on southern Lebanon.
Separately, two people were killed in a stabbing in Holon, Israel, and an Israeli air strike hit a tent at a Gaza hospital, killing at least five. The US embassy in Beirut has advised those staying in Lebanon to prepare contingency plans. The Pentagon is deploying additional military assets to the region to support Israel against potential attacks from Iran and its allies.
The UK is sending extra military and consular staff to assist with evacuations and has advised its citizens to leave while flights are available. British military ships and RAF transport helicopters are on standby. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy warned of a rapidly deteriorating situation.
Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri Kani, in a call with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell, stated Iran's intent to "punish" Israel. Iranian state TV warned of "extraordinary scenes" to come. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned Israelis to prepare for challenging days ahead, stating Israel is ready for any scenario.
Tensions escalated after a rocket strike in the Golan Heights killed 12 children, with Israel blaming Hezbollah. Shortly after, Shukr was killed in Beirut, and hours later, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed harsh punishment for Israel.
Haniyeh's death has complicated ceasefire negotiations and hostage release deals in Gaza, crucial to defusing border tensions.
The conflict began in October when Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages to Gaza, prompting a massive Israeli military response that has since killed at least 39,480 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
Cape Times