Gaza: Internet connectivity 'gradually' restoring, Israeli ground operations intensify

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Internet connectivity gradually restoring in Gaza

Internet connectivity in the Gaza Strip is being restored, the global network monitor Netblocks said Sunday, almost two days after it was cut off during heavy Israeli bombardment.

"Real-time network data show that internet connectivity is being restored in the #Gaza Strip," the company wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

An AFP employee in Gaza City said shortly after 4am (0200 GMT) that he could use the internet and had managed to contact people in southern Gaza by phone.

We are pleased to announce that telecommunication services (landline, mobile, and internet) in Gaza Strip, disrupted on Friday, October 27, 2023, due to the ongoing aggression, are gradually being restored.

1/2

— Paltel (@Paltelco) October 29, 2023

Internet and phone access had been cut off across Gaza since Friday, as Israel bombarded the territory.

The Palestine Telecommunications Company also said that landline, mobile and internet services are now slowly being restored.

In a post on X, the company added that its technical teams "are diligently addressing the damage to the internal network infrastructure under challenging conditions".

Scores killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza on Sunday: Palestinian media

Scores were killed and hundreds injured by ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip at dawn on Sunday, the Palestinian news agency Wafa said.

Israel struck al-Shati refugee camp, a correspondent from the news agency said. 

Warplanes also bombed a six-story inhabited house in the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood, west of Gaza, killing and wounding several Palestinians.

In the Al-Zaytoun neighbourhood, southeast of the city, Israeli warplanes bombed several homes, killing at least 30 citizens and wounding others. Warplanes also struck the Al-Tuffah neighborhood.

In Jabalia camp, Israeli warplanes bombed 110 homes, killing at least 45 people and wounding others.

The warplanes also destroyed a residential square in Bir al-Naja, killing and injuring scores of Palestinians. 

Around 57 citizens were killed in Khan Younis and Rafah where many residents are currently seeking refuge following displacement.

UN Security Council meeting to take place on Monday

A UN Security Council meeting called by the United Arab Emirates has now been officially scheduled for Monday afternoon after 3pm New York time (19:00 GMT).

Abu Dhabi requested the meeting on Saturday after Israel’s expanded ground operations in Gaza

Internet connection partially restored in Gaza

Internet connection is reportedly restored in Gaza, a journalist said.

Hind Khoudary, a Gaza-based journalist, said that she was able to tweet from WiFi, but warned that an internet may occur again and that a backup is "needed".

Internet connection is restored in Gaza.
I am currently tweeting from wifi.

— Hind Khoudary (@Hind_Gaza) October 29, 2023

Paris protesters defy French ban on pro-Palestinian demos

Thousands of French protesters defied a ban on pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the capital Paris, as they waved Palestinian flags and chanted pro-Palestinian slogans.

Among the slogans were "we are all Palestinian", as well as "Gaza, Gaza, Paris is with you."

De plus en plus de manifestants se rassemblent à #Chatelet à Paris malgré l'interdiction de la manifestation.#Palestine #Israel #Hamas #Gaza pic.twitter.com/OobshW1rCy

— Luc Auffret (@LucAuffret) October 28, 2023

1,487 people were reportedly fined, according to the French news channel BFM TV, and 21 people were questioned.

Saudi Defence Minister to visit US on Monday

Saudi Arabian Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is expected to visit Washington on Monday for meetings with senior Biden administration officials, Axios reported on Saturday, citing three sources with knowledge of the trip.

The visit had been long-scheduled, the sources told Axios, but it would come as Israel on Saturday unleashed the second phase of its war on Gaza as its forces pressed ground operations in the territory, vowing to "destroy the enemy above ground and below ground."

Khalid bin Salman is expected to meet with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and several senators, according to the Axios report.

The White House National Security Council told Reuters it had nothing to confirm when asked about the possible visit.

(Reuters)

Death toll in Gaza surpasses 8,000

The health ministry in Gaza said early on Sunday that more than 8,000 had been killed in the war-torn Palestinian territory since the start of Israel's war on October 7.

"The death toll linked to the Israeli aggression is past 8,000, half of whom are children," the ministry told AFP. The last toll, issued early Saturday, was of 7,703 dead.

Israeli shelling injures UNIFIL peacekeeper in southern Lebanon

A UN peacekeeper was injured Saturday by shelling in south Lebanon, the mission's spokesman said, hours after reporting a hit at its headquarters as Israel-Lebanon border skirmishes intensify amid war in Gaza.

"One peacekeeper was lightly injured" near the border village of Hula, said Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said a Nepalese peacekeeper was "moderately injured in the stomach and arm after two Israeli shells" fell in Hula.

Earlier on Saturday, Tenenti had told AFP that "a shell hit inside the base" in Naqura, where UNIFIL headquarters are located, indicating there were "no injuries but some damage".

He said UNIFIL was seeking to verify who fired the shells.

A Lebanese military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to the media, said "an Israeli shell penetrated the cement wall" around the UNIFIL headquarters.

Israel bombards eastern, northern Gaza

Israeli artillery and air forces have launched 'massive' bombardment in eastern and northern Gaza, reported Al-Jazeera.

"These kinds of attacks are giving clear permission to the Israeli ground troops to keep going deeper into the territory," Al-Jazeera's reporter in Gaza Tareq Abu Azzoum said.

IRC chief calls for end in 'catastrophic' suffering in Gaza

The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Saturday called on all sides to act to halt the "intolerable" human suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip.

"This is a catastrophic failing that the world must not tolerate," said Mirjana Spoljaric, as Israel declared its war on Hamas had "entered a new phase" with its massive bombardment of Gaza.

"I am shocked by the intolerable level of human suffering and urge the parties to the conflict to de-escalate now," she said.

"The tragic loss of so many civilian lives is deplorable."

"It is unacceptable that civilians have no safe place to go in Gaza amid the massive bombardments, and with a military siege in place there is also no adequate humanitarian response currently possible."

Spoljaric was speaking hours after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sharply criticised the "unprecedented escalation" of bombardments on Gaza, and called for an "immediate" ceasefire.

EU's Borrell calls for 'pause of hostilities' in Israel's war on Gaza

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell demanded on Saturday a "pause of hostilities" to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip after the intense overnight bombing of the coastal territory.

"Gaza is in complete blackout and isolation while heavy shelling continues," Borrell said on social media.

"UNRWA warns about the desperate situation of Gaza people without electricity, food, water" he added, referring to the UN relief agency for Palestinian Refugees.

"Far too many civilians, including children, have been killed. This is against International Humanitarian Law," he said.

"A pause of hostilities is urgently needed to enable humanitarian access," he added.

Qatar-led negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue

Qatar-mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas aimed at de-escalating fighting in Gaza continued on Saturday, a source briefed on the negotiations said, even as Israel intensified its assault on the enclave.

Talks have not broken down, but are taking place at a "much slower pace" than before the escalation from Friday evening, the source told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of negotiations.

Qatar has been conducting behind-the-scenes diplomacy for more than three weeks, speaking to Hamas officials and Israel to promote peace and secure the release of hostages.

Its mediation last week led to the release of two American hostages, a mother and daughter, and two elderly Israeli women.

(Reuters)

MSF decries situation in Gaza, calls for ceasefire

The NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres has called for an immediate ceasefire in the war-hit Gaza Strip, saying it is indispensable in order to "prevent deaths in Gaza and allow desperately needed humanitarian supplies in."

"Since Friday 27 October, the bombing by the Israeli forces has intensified to a degree not seen until now: northern Gaza is being razed to the ground, while the whole Strip is being hit and civilians have no place to take shelter."

"The actions of world leaders are too weak, too slow, as a non-binding UN resolution for a ceasefire has done nothing to reign in the indiscriminate violence unleashed on a helpless people," it continued.

“Helpless people are being subjected to horrific bombing. Families have nowhere to run or to hide, as hell is unleashed on them. We need a ceasefire now,” says Dr Christos Christou, MSF International President.

— MSF International (@MSF) October 28, 2023

"The international community must take stronger action to urge Israel to stop the bloodshed. People are being killed and forcibly displaced from their homes, and water and fuel are running low. The atrocity is on a scale never seen before in Gaza."

Gulf countries sound alarm on Israel's ground operations in Gaza

Arab Gulf states Saturday warned Israel against further ground operations in the Gaza Strip, with Saudi Arabia denouncing land incursions as "unjustified" and Oman condemning possible "war crimes".

The Gulf warnings came after Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said late Friday that the army was "extending" its ground operations after two straight nights of tank incursions, and as an Israeli minister said on Saturday the war with Hamas had "entered a new phase".

Saudi Arabia "condemns and denounces any ground operations carried out by Israel due to the threat they pose to the lives of Palestinian civilians", the kingdom's foreign ministry said in a statement.

#Statement | The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces any ground operations carried out by Israel which would threaten the lives of Palestinian civilians and result in inhumane dangers. pic.twitter.com/N4B4RRiP8D

— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) October 28, 2023

It cautioned against "the danger of continuing to carry out these blatant and unjustified violations of international law against the brotherly Palestinian people", warning of "serious repercussions for the stability of the region".

Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that an "Israeli ground escalation would have dire consequences for civilians and devastating humanitarian and economic impacts."

Oman on Saturday accused Israel of committing "war crimes" in Gaza and warned against any further ground manuevers.

The escalation in Israel's "brutal war on the Gaza Strip constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity," said a foreign ministry statement carried by the official Oman News Agency.

 Oman too warned of the destabilising effects of a large-scale land invasion, while Qatar said "a ground escalation" would risk "the safety of civilians and hostages in Gaza".

The United Arab Emirates, which controversially established diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020 as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords, "condemned the ground operations by Israel", said a foreign ministry statement.

Abu Dhabi demanded "an immediate ceasefire to ensure that civilians and civilian institutions are not targeted", it added.

"The urgent priority is to end the escalation of military operations and protect civilians."

بيان صادر عن #وزارة_الخارجية حول العدوان البربري المتواصل من قبل الاحتلال الاسرائيلي على قطاع غزة.

البيان كاملاً: https://t.co/lBuiKVKDWr pic.twitter.com/w9c2T9YIq1

— وزارة الخارجية (@MOFAKuwait) October 28, 2023

Kuwait charged that "any ground invasion of Gaza will prove that the Israeli occupation is determined to continue committing crimes against the brotherly Palestinian people", according to a foreign ministry statement.

The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the military escalation in Gaza as a "violation of international law," urging an immediate end to hostilities.

Hamas leader says group is 'ready' for prisoner swap with Israel

Hamas's leader in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, said on Saturday that the Palestinian militant group was ready for an "immediate" prisoner swap with Israel.

"We are ready to conduct an immediate prisoner exchange deal that includes the release of all Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in exchange for all prisoners held by the Palestinian resistance," Sinwar said in a statement.

Netanyahu says fighting in Gaza 'will be long and difficult' as Israel steps up attacks

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that fighting inside the Gaza Strip would be "long and difficult", as Israeli ground forces operate in the besieged Palestinian territory for more than 24 hours.

"The war in the (Gaza) Strip will be long and difficult and we are prepared for it," Netanyahu told a news conference after meeting families of hostages held in Gaza since surprise Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7.

Hamas demands freeing of all Palestinian prisoners in exchange for abducted Israelis

Hamas's armed wing said on Saturday it was ready to release the hostages it abducted during its surprise attack on October 7 if Israel freed all Palestinians held in its prisons.

"The price to pay for the large number of enemy hostages in our hands is to empty the (Israeli) prisons of all Palestinian prisoners," Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida said in a statement broadcast by the Hamas-run Al-Aqsa television channel.

"If the enemy wants to close this file of detainees in one go, we are ready for it. If it wants to do it step-by-step, we are ready for that too."

Abu Obeida's words came in a video speech broadcast by Al-Aqsa TV, in which he confirmed that "contacts took place regarding the prisoners’ file and there was an opportunity to reach a formula for an agreement, but the enemy was stalling," in reference to Israel.

Musk to provide internet access for 'internationally recognised aid orgs' via Starlink

Billionaire Elon Musk on Saturday said that his Starlink satellite service would support internet access for "internationally recognised aid organisations in Gaza," which have faced a telecommunications blackout since Friday.

Starlink is a network of satellites in low Earth orbit that can provide internet to remote locations, or areas that have had normal communications infrastructure disabled.

Musk, who owns Starlink operator SpaceX, was responding to a post by US Democrat congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in which she called the communications blackout in Gaza "unacceptable".

"Starlink will support connectivity to internationally recognised aid organisations in Gaza," Musk wrote on X, formerly Twitter, which he also owns.

Pro-Palestinian rallies demand ceasefire across UK

Pro-Palestinian protesters marched in their thousands across the UK, urging a ceasefire in the war-torn, besieged Gaza Strip on Saturday.

In London, many pro-Palestinian organisers said half a million people took part in the rally.

Thank you London! Half a million people on the streets today for Palestine demanding a #CeaseFireNOW 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/EUtnljcSrb

— PSC (@PSCupdates) October 28, 2023

The demonstrators gathered at Victoria Embankment at midday, before making their way to the British parliament in Westminster.

20000 occupying Market St Manchester today - Stop Israel's genocide in Gaza. We've all been complicit in decades of Israel's mass murder, occupation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Its time for justice for Palestine #FREEPALESTINE pic.twitter.com/7jQhWnfNzq

— MANPalestine Action (@ManPalestine) October 28, 2023

Demonstrations also took place in Manchester, Cambridge and Leeds.

Furthermore, protesters gathered at massive sit-in in London's Waterloo Station, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has killed at least 7,703 people amid ruthless bombardment.

HAPPENING NOW: Mass sit-in at Waterloo Station, London calling for a ceasefire on Gaza. pic.twitter.com/qxl3QovT03

— Clare Hymer (@ClareHymer) October 28, 2023

UN's Guterres criticises Israeli bombing of Gaza, demands 'immediate ceasefire'

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday sharply criticised the "unprecedented escalation" of bombardments on Gaza and urged an "immediate" ceasefire.

"Instead of the pause" he had expected, there has been "an unprecedented escalation of the bombardments and their devastating impacts, undermining the referred humanitarian objectives," Guterres said on a visit to Doha.

"This situation must be reversed. I reiterate my strong appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, together with the unconditional release of hostages and a delivery of humanitarian relief," Guterres said.

"A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in front of our eyes."

UAE asks UN Security Council to meet on Gaza

The United Arab Emirates asked the United Nations Security Council on Saturday to meet "as soon as possible" following Israel's expanded ground operations in Gaza and the disconnection of telecommunications networks, diplomats said.

The 15-member council could meet as early as Sunday, diplomats said, and the UAE has asked for UN aid chief Martin Griffiths and Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency providing aid to Palestinians (UNRWA), to brief. 

(Reuters)

Israeli forces in Gaza more than 24 hours into ground invasion

Israeli ground forces were operating in the northern Gaza Strip Saturday, the army said, more than 24 hours after entering the besieged Palestinian territory three weeks into its war in the enclave.

"Since early Friday evening, combined combat forces of armour, combat engineers and infantry have been operating on the ground in the northern Gaza Strip," an army statement said.

Israeli forces have made several smaller-scale ground incursions inside Gaza, but the current one has been their longest presence in the territory since its brutal and indiscriminate assault began on October 7.

Israel says recalling envoys from Turkey after Erdogan's Gaza remarks

Israel said Saturday it was recalling its diplomatic staff from Turkey after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised its bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

"Given the grave statements coming from Turkey, I have ordered the return of diplomatic representatives there in order to conduct a reevaluation of the relations between Israel and Turkey," Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Hamas demands Israel free all Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages

Hamas's armed wing said Saturday it was ready to release the hostages it abducted during its shock attack on October 7 if Israel freed all Palestinians held in its prisons.

"The price to pay for the large number of enemy hostages in our hands is to empty the [Israeli] prisons of all Palestinian prisoners," Izz Ad-Din Al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida said in a statement broadcast by the Hamas-run Al-Aqsa television channel.

"If the enemy wants to close this file of detainees in one go, we are ready for it. If it wants to do it step-by-step, we are ready for that too."

Some 229 hostages are being held by militants in the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli army.

Shell hits UN peacekeeping HQ in south Lebanon: spokesman

A shell hit the headquarters of the UN peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon on Saturday, its spokesman said in the second such incident since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in Gaza.

"A shell hit inside the base" in Naqura, said Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, indicating there were "no injuries but some damage."

He said UNIFIL was seeking to verify who fired the shell.

A Lebanese military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to the media, said "an Israeli shell penetrated the cement wall" around the UNIFIL headquarters.

The shell did not explode, a UNIFIL statement said, adding that "several of our other positions have also sustained damage in the past three weeks" and urging "all parties to immediately cease fire."

Netanyahu to meet families of hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to meet representatives of the families of Israeli hostages currently held in Gaza by Hamas, following Defence Minister Yoav Gallant's announcement that he too would meet representatives on Sunday.

The meeting comes after the families of hostages stated they would protest outside the residence of Netanyahu late Saturday. 

Netanyahu has come under intense criticism by the families, who stated "we are tired of slogans. The time of our beloved is running out."

"We expect the prime minister and the defence minister to meet with us today, to look us in the eye and give a clear answer to the question: Does the intensification of the military operation in Gaza endanger the safety of the 229 hostages." they said in a statement.

War between Israel and Hamas 'entered a new phase': Israeli defence minister

The Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant said that the war had "entered a new phase" on Saturday as Israel increases its bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

"We have entered a new phase in the war. Last night the ground in Gaza shook. We attacked above ground and below ground," referring to Hamas tunnel network. Israel stated on Saturday that it had targeted 150 tunnels during the night.

"The instructions to the forces are clear: the action will continue until further notice." Gallant continued.

"We will continue to be strong and precise. And hunt down every terrorist," he added.

Erdogan: Israel is an occupier, Hamas not a terrorist organisation

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told a massive pro-Palestinian rally in Istanbul that Israel was an occupier, and repeated his stance about Hamas not being a terrorist organisation.

"I reiterate that Hamas is not a terrorist organisation. Israel was very offended by this. [...] Israel is an occupier, Erdogan speaks clearly because Turkey does not owe you anything," he told hundreds of thousands of supporters.

(Reuters)

Saudi Arabia warns Israel on the danger of continued ground operations in Gaza

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry released a statement on Saturday condemning any ground operations by Israeli forces that may threaten the lives of Palestinian civilians.

"The Kingdom condemns and denounces the ground operations carried out by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, and warns of the danger of continuing to carry out these blatant and unjustified violations of international law against our brotherly Palestinians," the statement said.

(Reuters)

Israeli army 'urge' evacuation of civilians from north Gaza

The Israeli army has issued a statement telling residents of "northern Gaza and Gaza city to temporarily relocate south." 

The statement was read by Brigadier General Daniel Hagari, who said that "moving back to northern Gaza will be possible once the intense hostilities end." 

"To the residents of northern Gaza and Gaza city, your window to act is closing. Move south for your own safety," he added.

An urgent message for the residents of Gaza: pic.twitter.com/GAW3a7lWt8

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 28, 2023

Palestinian health minister calls Gaza bombardment and siege a 'genocide'

Palestinian Minister of Health Mai Al-Kayla said that "what is happening in Gaza is a genocide" in a statement released Saturday, noting that Israel has killed civilians in its bombardment, including medical workers, as well as prevent the entry of fuel and medical supplies into Gaza.

She added that there was an increasing spread of disease, a lack of clean water, and poor sanitary conditions in overcrowded shelters across the Gaza Strip.

7,703 killed in Israeli bombardment of Gaza Strip

The death toll from Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip has reached 7,703 people, including 3,195 children, with a total of 825 families erased, according to the health ministry in Gaza. 

Second US carrier enters Mediterranean 

A second US carrier has entered the Mediterranean sea through the Strait of Gibraltar according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz citing data from shipping tracking site marinetraffic.com. 

The carrier, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, was deployed to the eastern Mediterranean in an announcement made by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on 14 October. 

The carrier joins the USS Gerald R. Ford which is already deployed in the region. 

 Israeli settler shoots dead Palestinian man near Nablus 

A Palestinian man identified as Bilal Mohammad Saleh, 40, was shot dead by Israeli settler gunfire in the town of al-Sawiyeh, south of the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, as reported by Wafa.

The Ministry of Health said Saleh was shot in the chest and critically wounded before he was declared dead.

Israel has killed 111 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since the start of its assault on Gaza on October 7, including two who died in prison in yet unclear circumstances, with 1950 others injured. 

Israel's military says thwarted missile fire from Lebanon

Israel's military said on Saturday it had stopped a surface-to-air missile fired from Lebanon at one of its drones, and was responding by striking the launch site.

"The [Israeli military] thwarted a surface-to-air missile that was fired from Lebanon toward a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). In response, the military is striking the origin of the missile's fire," it said.

Sisi says all sides must respect Egypt's sovereignty amid drone incident

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has on Saturday urged all warring sides to respect Egypt’s sovereignty and position, warning the international community over possible regional escalation of the conflict.

This comes as drones fell on the Egyptian territory on Friday, with Israel blaming the Houthis in Yemen. 

The Egyptian leader also claimed his country continued to play a positive role in the conflict.

Israeli hostage families demand government explanation of Gaza strikes

Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza on Saturday demanded an immediate government explanation about the fate of the captives after the army intensified strikes on the Palestinian territory.

The main group representing more than 220 people believed abducted in the October 7 attacks by Hamas sought an immediate meeting with ministers.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement that relatives were angry over the "absolute uncertainty regarding the fate of the hostages held (in Gaza), who were also subject to the heavy bombings".

Israeli military says entered north Gaza overnight, still 'in the field'

The Israeli military said on Saturday it had entered northern Gaza overnight and expanded military operations in the besieged Palestinian enclave as it steps up its ground assault. 

A military spokesperson said Israeli forces were still "in the field", without elaborating.

The spokesperson added that Israel would allow trucks carrying food, water and medicine to enter Gaza on Saturday. 

(Reuters)

US tells citizens to leave Lebanon

The US embassy in Beirut has recommended that "US citizens in Lebanon leave now, while commercial flights remain available, due to the unpredictable security situation."

The embassy warned that military assisted flights out of a country in a crisis are "rare" and emphasised that "the best time to leave a country is before a crisis if at all possible."

The State Department recommends that U.S. citizens in Lebanon leave now, while commercial flights remain available, due to the unpredictable security situation.

There is no guarantee the U.S. government will evacuate private U.S. citizens and their family members in a crisis…

— U.S. Embassy Beirut (@usembassybeirut) October 28, 2023