US urges citizens to leave Lebanon

US Department of State advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Lebanon and urged those currently in the country to leave immediately, citing escalating security tensions in the region.

The Department emphasized that the situation in Lebanon could worsen, requiring additional precautionary measures.

For those Americans who choose not to leave, the Department recommended preparing emergency plans and being ready to shelter in place should events further deteriorate.

It also called on American citizens located in southern Lebanon, near the Syrian border, or in refugee camps, to evacuate those areas immediately.

Read more: “Israeli” strikes Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut; targeting Hassan Nasrallah

Earlier Friday, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched a series of intense airstrikes across various parts of Lebanon, with a particular focus on Beirut’s southern suburbs.

"Israeli" military claimed that it had targeted Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Haret Hreik, stating that the group’s Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, was among the intended targets.

The military also reported hitting Hezbollah weapons depots located beneath residential buildings, a claim which Hezbollah swiftly denied in a brief statement.

Additionally, the IOF alleged that they had killed several Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon, including the group's rocket unit commander and his deputy.