
The Ministry of Foreign Relations strongly advises Irish citizens currently residing in Lebanon to exit the country immediately while commercial transport alternatives exist, emphasizing the increasing risks spawned by the ongoing conflict.
The geopolitical tensions along the Lebanon-Israel frontier have been escalating, marked by frequent outbreaks of hostilities and retaliatory fire involving heavily-armed factions stationed in Lebanon and the Israeli armed forces. The ministry warns about the impending limitations in its potential assistance should these hostilities further escalate.
Casualty reports from the Gaza-based health machinery, managed by Hamas, portray a grim picture. There have been approximately 6,500 fatalities since October 7, due to relentless Israeli bombardments. The initial onslaught launched by Hamas on Israel has reportedly resulted in the death of over 1,400 civilians, with over 200 individuals still being held captive in Gaza.
The Ministry states, “In the event that exiting Lebanon is momentarily impossible for you, we strongly suggest taking every possible precaution in your activities, alongside the formulation of contingency strategies so you can depart Lebanon at the earliest feasible juncture.”
Ensuring the validity and readiness of vital documents such as passports is also crucial. According to the ministry, avoiding participation in any form of protests or demonstrations in Lebanon is critical due to their potential to rapidly devolve into violent upheavals.
Adhering to local authorities’ advisories and practicing constant vigilance should be paramount for Irish citizens remaining in Lebanon.
In case of dire emergencies that fall outside office hours, the department can be reached on +20 1274443942. The ministry also encourages those Irish citizens in Lebanon who are not yet registered with the Irish Embassy in Cairo to do so.