France called on its citizens in Lebanon today (Sunday) to leave the country as soon as possible, in expectation of a widening conflict between Israel and Iran and its proxies, according to France 24.
The US and UK already issued such warnings last week, with the UK calling on its citizens to leave as quickly as possible and the US telling its citizens to prepare to leave while civilian infrastructure and the airport was still functioning.
The looming threat, a direct response to the assassination of senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, has put the entire Middle East on high alert.
According to reports from Axios, three high-level sources in the U.S. and Israel believe Tehran and its proxies are in the final stages of military planning and seeking political approvals for the attack. This ominous preparation comes in the wake of a tense phone call between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu, described by one U.S. official as "highly charged."
In a parallel development, foreign ambassadors in Beirut have been working behind the scenes to moderate Hezbollah's response. According to the pro-Saudi newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat," diplomats are advising the group against an immediate, all-out retaliation for the killing of their military chief. The suggestion is that a staggered response might allow more time for international mediation efforts to prevent a region-wide escalation.
As Israel's defense systems remain on high alert and civilians are urged to stay vigilant, the coming hours and days are critical. The specter of a full-scale war looms large over the Middle East, with each passing moment bringing the region closer to what could be a catastrophic confrontation. The world watches with bated breath, hoping against hope that diplomacy might yet prevail in the face of this rapidly escalating crisis.
