UK gears up for potential Lebanon evacuation as Middle East tensions escalate

Defence Secretary John Healey
-Credit: (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)


Defence Secretary John Healey has visited military personnel who are preparing for a potential evacuation of Britons from Lebanon, as the Middle East teeters on the brink of a wider war. He also expressed his gratitude to RAF personnel involved in the operation to protect Israel from an onslaught of Iranian missiles.

Two Typhoon fighter jets, backed by a tanker aircraft, participated in the operation, but due to the nature of the attack involving ballistic missiles, "they did not engage any targets", according to the Ministry of Defence. The MoD stated that the aircraft "played an important part in wider deterrence and efforts to prevent further escalation".

In the meantime, a charter plane carrying Britons from Lebanon has departed Beirut, with more flights scheduled for tomorrow and the following days. A separate scheduled flight by Middle East Airlines also brought Britons back to the UK.

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Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced: "The first charter flight taking British nationals out of Lebanon has now departed. We have arranged another flight for tomorrow, and further flights over the coming days for as long as there is demand and it is safe to do so."

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However, concerns are growing in Whitehall that further military action by Israel could lead to the closure of the airport, blocking the most direct exit route for the estimated 4-6,000 British nationals in Lebanon.

Hundreds of UK troops have been mobilised to Cyprus, supported by RAF and Royal Navy assets, in readiness for a possible evacuation mission. Defence Secretary Mr Healey remarked, "They briefed me on the plans, they are ready to go if needed. I have every confidence in our ability to do the job if required."

Moreover, he emphasised the urgency for British nationals to leave Lebanon immediately, stating, "But for now our government advice to all Brits in Lebanon is get out now."

Mr Healey revealed that he had explained to Israel the necessity of the safe evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon: "It’s vital that we as nations, if we have to, are able to get our nationals out of Lebanon safely," he noted, adding, "Israel understand that, they understand that well, and we will continue to make that case."

As the Israeli military instructs about 50 southern Lebanese villages to evacuate due to its continuing operations and vows retaliation against Iran's missile strike, a potential for broader regional conflict looms.

In this context, Mr Healey conveyed his discussion with Israeli Minister Yoav Galant, stressing the UK's "steadfast" support but highlighting concerns to prevent an escalation into a regional war. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, in Brussels for meetings with EU leaders, stressed the need for de-escalation and a political resolution to the crises in the Middle East, saying, "We do need to pull back from the brink and to encourage all parties to find a way to de-escalate and for a political solution to the very many fronts of the crisis in the Middle East."

Israel has claimed to have intercepted a majority of the missiles launched by Iran on Tuesday, while Tehran insists that most of their missiles successfully hit their intended targets.

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