Germany has become the latest nation to urge its citizens to leave Lebanon amid growing unrest.
Violence between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon - which shares a border with Israel - has flared in recent days as fears grow that the fighting between Israel and Hamas could disrupt other areas across the Middle East.
The German Foreign Ministry on Thursday evening urged German citizens to leave Lebanon, which shares a border with Israel on Thursday.It came a day after the UK Foreign Office issued a similar warning to Britons.
German citizens were also urged to register their contact details on an online crisis portal and be aware of current safety advisories in the country, the ministry wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
#Update: Germany calls on all German nationals to leave #Lebanon now. Please consult our official travel and security advice 👉 https://t.co/GoXNM3ZJ8G. (1/2)
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) October 19, 2023
On Wednesday, the UK Foreign Office urged British citizens in Lebanon to "leave now".
The Foreign Office updated its guidance on Lebanon, advising against travel to the Middle East country which shares a border with Israel.
Britons in Lebanon were encouraged to “leave now”, the department said on its website.
“You are advised against all travel to the whole of Lebanon," the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said in a statement.
“If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available.”
It added: “Events in Lebanon are fast-moving. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and with no warning. Commercial routes out of Lebanon could be severely disrupted or cancelled at short notice and roads across the country could be closed.”
British nationals in the country are recommended to register their presence with the FCDO.
Wednesday saw hundreds of protesters clash with Lebanese security forces in a Beirut suburb near the US embassy in support of Gaza.
Protesters had taken to the streets in outrage over a blast that killed hundreds of civilians at a hospital in Gaza City.
Hamas has blamed an Israeli airstrike, but the Israeli military claims the site was hit with a rocket launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group – it also denies involvement.
Hundreds gathered outside the US embassy near the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Wednesday, throwing stones and setting a nearby building on fire while chanting “death to America” and “death to Israel” before they were dispersed with tear gas, the AFP news agency reported.
Protesters also assembled at the French embassy, holding up Hezbollah flags and throwing stones at the main entrance.
