Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid travelling to Lebanon and advised Pakistanis currently residing there to leave the country immediately.
“In view of the recent attacks in Lebanon, Pakistani nationals are strongly advised not to travel to Lebanon until further notice,” the FO said in a statement on Wednesday.
The advisory encouraged Pakistanis still in Lebanon to leave using commercial flights, which are currently operational. Those unable to depart are urged to “exercise extreme caution and relocate to safe areas.”
The FO has also advised citizens to stay in contact with the Pakistani Embassy in Beirut, providing contact numbers and an email address for assistance.
Cell/ WhatsApp:+961-81669488 +961-81815104
Email: parepbeirut@mofa.gov.pk
This comes as Israel intensified airstrikes in Lebanon, with Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad confirming that at least 51 people were killed and 223 wounded in Israeli strikes on Wednesday. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing a missile at a Mossad facility near Tel Aviv, but this could not be independently verified.
Israeli army chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi instructed troops to prepare for a potential ground invasion of Lebanon, as Israeli jets continued to target Hezbollah positions across the border.
“You can hear the planes here; we are attacking all day. Both to prepare the ground for the possibility of your entry, but also to continue striking Hezbollah,” Halevi told a tank brigade, according to a military statement.
As the situation worsens, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese have fled their homes, and hospitals are overwhelmed with the injured following the deadliest escalation since Lebanon’s civil war ended in 1990.
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