A government-chartered flight has safely landed in Birmingham, carrying British citizens who were evacuated from Lebanon amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The plane, operated by Dan Air, made a stop in Bucharest, Romania, before reaching its final destination in Birmingham International Airport.
The evacuation comes in response to Israel’s ground offensive into southern Lebanon against the Iran-backed Hezbollah, which has resulted in intense clashes and heavy bombardment. The Israeli military has issued warnings for people to evacuate from several villages and towns in southern Lebanon.
According to Lebanese authorities, nearly 2,000 people have lost their lives in Lebanon over the past year, with around 1.2 million individuals being displaced from their homes. The recent escalation of violence has led to a significant increase in casualties, with the majority of deaths occurring in the past two weeks.
With an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 British citizens in Lebanon, many have faced challenges in securing flights out of the country due to cancellations and inflated prices. In response, the UK government organized charter flights to repatriate its citizens, with a fee of £350 per person.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy took to Twitter to announce the departure of the first charter flight, reassuring that additional flights will be arranged as long as there is demand and it is safe to do so. The government is working to ensure the safe evacuation of all British nationals from Lebanon.
Defence Secretary John Healey met with British troops deployed to Cyprus in preparation for potential evacuation missions. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of all nationals in the region and stressed the need to prevent the conflict from escalating into a wider regional war.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer echoed the calls for de-escalation and a political solution to the crisis in the Middle East. He emphasized the importance of all parties working together to find a peaceful resolution and avoid further bloodshed.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the UK government remains committed to the safety and well-being of its citizens in Lebanon. Evacuation efforts will continue as needed to ensure the safe return of all individuals affected by the conflict.
