Dublin: The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has ordered all Irish citizens in Lebanon to leave the country. At the same time, the government has asked that all visitors to the country refrain from visiting.
The Irish government issued the warning shortly after Israel announced its intention to attack southern Lebanon. Israel has announced the deployment of five squadrons to Lebanon.
Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group claims 42 fighters have been killed in border clashes with Israel since the outbreak of the Gaza war earlier this month.
“Due to the ongoing conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, the situation in Lebanon remains highly volatile,” the department stated this evening in a statement. The Israeli-Hezbollah clashes are unsettling civilians on both sides of the border, and the situation is uncertain. Even the slightest friction can make the problem worse. This may also affect exit routes from Lebanon, Foreign Ministry sources said.
Israel tightens sanctions.
Israel has stepped up action against the United Nations. The U.N. Under Secretary was denied permission to visit the country. Israel’s position is that any organisation that whitewashes Hamas has no right to enter the country. UN for Humanitarian Affairs Under Secretary General Martin Griffiths has been denied permission to visit. About 7,000 people have been killed in the recent war between the two countries.
Irish Samachar English News