© Houssam Shbaro/Anadolu via GettyPassengers wait at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, Lebanon on 14 April 2024
The "USS Wasp", an amphibious assault ship, along with Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, has joined other US naval forces in the region, preparing for potential evacuations of American citizens and other missions, NBC News reported, citing US defence officials.
This move aims to deter regional escalation and support potential military-assisted departures.
Despite the Biden administration's pressure, Israeli officials are committed to targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon and aim to establish a 10-mile buffer zone along the Lebanese border, according to US and Israeli sources.
"The goal is to return quiet to northern Israel so that 60,000 Israelis who have left in the past eight months because of Hezbollah rocket fire can go home," one of the officials said.
Comment: Israel's crimes against humanity mean that it's unlikely to ever be the same again, and so those that have fled, or are preparing, will likely never return: Weary Israeli army 'not ready' for war on Lebanon
In 2022, the US State Department estimated that 86,000 Americans reside in Lebanon. During the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, Washington evacuated 15,000 people from the country.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Beirut has advised Americans to reconsider travel to Lebanon due to the volatile security situation.
Canada is also preparing contingency plans to evacuate around 20,000 citizens.
Comment: All signs point to an escalation, but, even with these evacuations, when it will occur remains to be seen: 22 nation Arab League removes Hezbollah from terrorist list, agree to begin establishing relations