Saudi Arabia urges nationals to leave Lebanon ‘immediately’ amid tension on Israel border

By Wassim Seifuldin

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AA) - Saudi Arabia on Wednesday called on its nationals to leave Lebanon immediately amid growing tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border.

In a statement, the Saudi Embassy in Lebanon said “it is closely following the developments of the current events in southern Lebanon.”

“We call on all citizens to adhere to the travel ban and to leave Lebanese territory immediately for those who are currently in Lebanon,” it added.

Tensions have flared along the Lebanese-Israeli border amid an exchange of fire between Israeli forces and the Hezbollah group.

The escalation came amid Israeli airstrikes against the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas into Israeli border towns.

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli assault, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.

Hezbollah has fought several wars with Israel, the latest of which was in 2006, during which the Lebanese group struck major Israeli cities with rockets, causing significant material damage.

Over 1,000 Lebanese were killed in the conflict, while much of southern Lebanon – a Hezbollah stronghold – was devastated by Israeli attacks.