BBCThe Foreign Secretary has stated there isn’t any assure British residents in Lebanon will be capable to depart shortly if the “feverish and critical” scenario worsens.
David Lammy has urged Britons to depart the nation by business flights or a UK-chartered airplane departing on Wednesday, warning that the airport in Beirut could possibly be closed if combating continues.
But Britons in Lebanon advised the BBC they’ve obtained no affirmation or particulars about their reserving on the government-chartered flight, regardless of paying for seats.
“My heart is very heavy and I'm very worried – if I can't get on that flight, there's no way to get back for the next two weeks,” stated Hanan Baba, 29.
Speaking to the BBC from Tripoli, northern Lebanon, Hanan stated he had initially deliberate to fly dwelling on October 5 – earlier than Israel launched a brand new wave of airstrikes on Lebanon and the south. Announced “targeted” floor operation.
“Ticket prices are skyrocketing – a budget airline that would normally offer a one-way trip to the UK for £250 is suddenly £800,” he stated.
“Apart from very short business class flights costing around £8,000, there is not much else on offer now. Or you can bribe someone to take you on a boat to Turkey or Cyprus – for thousands”.
On Tuesday Lammy stated he was “seeking more capacity in the coming days” to permit folks to return to the UK, however warned he couldn’t promise that everybody can be returned instantly.
As of final week, it was believed there have been 4,000 to six,000 British nationals, together with dependents, in Lebanon.
Hanan has paid the £350 required for his seat on a government-chartered flight again to the UK, however has obtained “no communication” in regards to the flight time or whether or not he’s assured a seat on the airplane.
“I think the government is covering its back, deploying troops to Cyprus and saying they are negotiating day and night with flights, but we have not seen anything like that. He has not even told any plan.
“I don't even know what airline the plane is, or what time it leaves – and I have to actually go to the airport, which is quite scary.
“There are reports of bombs and missiles falling within five minutes of the airport.”
Other British citizens have described “terrible” journeys to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport from various locations in Lebanon.
Lara, 19, who did not want to give her surname, told the BBC she had risked her life to return to Britain.
“I had to convince myself that it was okay if I died – everyone dies at some point. I mentally convinced myself that it was okay to be hit by a rocket.
“Whenever I hear a bang, or whenever I hear the sound of something being dragged across the floor, I think it's a plane or a missile coming towards me. I shouldn't have to suffer this trauma – I'm 19 years old.”
Lara, who lives in London and is in her second year of university, was visiting her family in Beirut.
She traveled back with her 84-year-old great-grandmother, who was on vacation in the Lebanese capital.
Lara said she received “zero communication, no help” from the UK government, and although she flew on a commercial airline, she said it was hard to find a flight that was direct and affordable.
“The price is too high,” he stated.
A British man who works for an international humanitarian organization and wishes to remain anonymous evacuated his home in Beirut and moved to Mount Lebanon with his wife and child last week.
He explained that he is looking for a flight out of Lebanon, but has spots booked “in each course” for the next two weeks, the earliest on October 16 or 17, and that he has business class seats to Madrid or Milan. The cost is in the thousands, he told the BBC.
He said he had heard about the chartered flight for British citizens through news reports and had not received any information or offer from the Foreign Office to purchase a seat.
BBC News told the Foreign Office the British nationals had not received confirmation or communication about the charter flight.
The Foreign Office did not comment.
He said many people are fearful and under psychological stress because “we don't know the place Israel goes to assault subsequent”.
“Everyone outdoors the Bekaa Valley and the south and the suburbs of Beirut feels that battle is inevitably going to come back to their doorstep,” he said.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said his country was facing “considered one of its most harmful phases”. that a million folks have been displaced,
On Monday, Israel said it had launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, in what it described as “restricted, native and focused” raids against Hezbollah.
Lebanese citizens are being warned not to use vehicles to travel south across the Litani River, located 20 miles (32 km) north of the Israel-Lebanon border, and residents of about 25 villages are being evacuated. And have been asked to go towards the north.
Previously sporadic cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on 8 October 2023 – the day after an unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip – when Hezbollah fired on Israeli positions in solidarity with the Palestinians.
With extra reporting from Mallory Moench, Grace Dean and UGC Hub
With inputs from BBC